Complete the steps below to begin using your accommodations:
1. Use the ODS Online Portal to send accommodation letters
Each semester, you will use the ODS Online Portal to send accommodation letters to instructors.
Watch the video tutorial and follow the steps outlined in the video: How to send Faculty Notification Letters (opens in YouTube)
Note: Select “Alternative Testing” when sending accommodation letters.
You will be prompted to read and sign e-forms titled “ODS Testing Center Center Procedures” (does NOT apply to Law or UA Online students) and “Students Rights and Responsibilities.” Signing these e-forms allows you to proceed and send accommodation letters.
Select My Eligibilities from the column on the left to review the accommodations you have been approved to receive. If you have questions or need to request additional accommodations, reach out to your Accommodations Specialist
2. Attend and ODS Testing Center introduction (does NOT apply to law or UA Online students)
You will be assigned a time to attend a live, virtual introduction to the ODS Testing Center, and you will receive a separate email with the meeting details.
If you need to reschedule the meeting, you may do so through the ODS Online Portal:
- Sign in to the portal
- Select “My Sign Up List” from the column on the left
- Using the drop down menu, select the session you’d like to attend and click “Continue”
- You will see a confirmation for your session. Click “Sign Up Now”
- You will receive an email confirmation which includes a Zoom link to join the meeting at the
date and time you selected
Note: if you request to take an exam at the ODS Testing Center, you will be expected to know and understand the ODS Testing Center procedures. It is important that you watch the video above or sign up to attend a virtual testing presentation.
3. Communicate with instructors about your accommodations
If you request accommodation letters prior to the first day of classes, your letters will be held in a queue and released to instructors 2 days before classes begin. If you request accommodation letters once classes are in session for the term, your letters will be sent automatically.
Communicate with instructors about how you will receive testing accommodations. If instructors advise you to test at the ODS Testing Center, schedule a testing appointment through the ODS Online Portal. Note: Law students do not test at ODS. Instead of communicating directly with instructors, law students will be contacted by the College Registrar, Michael Avant (mavant@law.ua.edu), to discuss accommodations.
Priority Registration (applies to undergraduate students only):
If you are an undergraduate student, you will receive priority registration to allow you to arrange your course schedule around your needs. ODS will email you each semester once the priority registration date has been released.
It is still your responsibility to double-check your registration time ticket in MyBama to ensure there are no holds preventing you from registering. You will also need to schedule an appointment with an academic advisor in the department of your major in order to register for classes.