Testing Accommodations

Yes, assuming the student is registered with ODS and sent an accommodation letter to you specifying testing accommodations.

Through Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), students with disabilities are ensured equal access to an education, including exam accommodations.

Assuming the student is registered with ODS and has been approved for exam accommodations, yes!

You may arrange to provide all exam accommodations listed on the student's accommodation notice, if the student agrees. However, you must allow the full approved extended time.

Students approved for test accommodations will provide an ODS accommodation letter outlining the specific needs, such as extended time, reduced distraction environment, computer use, large print, or a scribe/reader.

A distraction-reduced testing environment is a space outside the usual classroom that minimizes auditory and visual distractions, with controlled lighting and noise. This accommodation can be provided by the instructor or the ODS Testing Center.

Recommended Application:

• The operational rule of thumb for a distraction-reduced testing environment is one half the seating capacity of a room to provide students with adequate space while reducing distractions. 
• When possible, use carrels to address various attentional needs for all. 
• Provide preferential seating as needed (e.g., place students who need additional breaks for medication or restroom nearest to the door). 
• Limit personal items allowed into testing room (excepting those who need access to water, medication, or food). 
• Outline clear policies for late arrivals/early finishers to minimize distractions from entering and exiting (consider using tape to prevent clicking of door and jamb). 
• Provide pre-sharpened pencils. Provide or permit disposable earplugs. 
• Provide digital clocks vs. analog (reduces noise made by ticking). 
• Secure additional space that may be required for last-minute adjustments.

Common Misconceptions:

A reduced distraction environment is for students with disabilities that cause distractibility, but it does not require a private testing space. If students are unsure about accommodation details, advise them to contact ODS.

Please review instructions from the Center for Instructional Technology that provides instruction on how to create extended time or make-up exams in Blackboard for a student.

If you need additional assistance, please contact the Center for Instructional Technology.

For online exams for PC users, we recommend using TextHelp's Read & Write text-to-speech program. For Mac users, we recommend the use of VoiceOver. If your exams are not proctored, no action is needed. If proctored, notify the proctor that the student is allowed to use Read & Write or VoiceOver.

Read & Write is compatible with Respondus Lockdown Browser on Windows devices. VoiceOver is compatible with Respondus Lockdown Browser on Macs.

Does the student have an accommodation for "Make-up exams due to disability?”

If yes, the student must be provided a make-up test option. This accommodation is not intended to automatically apply to every exam, nor does it offer unlimited rescheduling of a make-up exam.

ODS recommends that make-up exams be completed within 1 week of the scheduled exam date or during the scheduled departmental make-up exam date. The UA Registrar Deferred Final Schedule should be used for students who need to make-up a final exam.

If not, consult your syllabus. If you permit a make-up exam for a student without a “make-up exam” accommodation, you can proctor the make-up or refer the student to the ODS Testing Center. The ODS Testing Center offers three options for proctoring for make-up exams; 1. scheduled on any available Friday, 2. scheduled on the make-up date you have listed on the Testing Agreement, 3. scheduled during Dead Week.

No, the ODS Testing Center cannot proctor exams for all students with accommodations. ODS encourages instructors to provide accommodations within the classroom or department when possible.

No. Only the student can request testing space. Students receive instructions on how to schedule exams through the ODS Online Portal when they register with ODS.

Generally, no, the ODS Testing Center does not proctor online exams, including those for UA Online courses or take-home exams. However, if a course exam is proctored on campus but taken on a computer, ODS can serve as a proctor location.

Extended time settings can be configured within Blackboard. Support is offered by the Center for Instructional Technology (main campus courses) or the College of Continuing Studies’ Technical Support (online courses). You can also review this Blackboard Tutorial.

If you need support for a testing accommodation other than extended test time, please contact odstesting@ua.edu for additional guidance.

When a student requests testing space, the Portal will show "processing" until approved by testing staff. If the status remains in processing, testing staff are awaiting additional information from the student.

The ODS Testing Center has 50 rooms but cannot proctor exams for all students with accommodations. If the center is at capacity and the student gives proper notice (usually one week), you must arrange testing space.

If no space is available, consult your Department Chair or College for support. For questions on providing accommodations, contact an Accommodations Specialist.

The responsibility for providing accommodations lies with the instructor and academic department. While the ODS Testing Center strives to assist as much as possible, capacity is limited, and not all accommodated students can be proctored. Departments should develop a back-up plan for exam proctoring, and academic Deans should support this effort.

• Departments may consider training Administrative Assistants, Graduate Teaching Assistants, or Student Workers for proctoring, ensuring it aligns with department policies and includes proper training and confidentiality agreements.
• Students are not entitled to private rooms or a distraction-free environment. A reduced distraction setting simply means fewer students, less noise, and minimal movement compared to the usual course setting. Multiple students can typically share a room. Astra can help find available classrooms across campus.
• Technology like webcams, Zoom, or Teams can be used for proctoring students in separate rooms.

Note: Accommodated students should not be subject to different requirements than other students, such as delaying exams or being assigned an Incomplete, as this can be discriminatory.

If a student does not request testing space at least 3 business days in advance, ODS instructs them to take the test with the class at the scheduled time without accommodations. You are not required to reschedule or provide accommodations with insufficient notice.

Testing Center procedures require students to take their accommodated test at the same time as the class, but back-to-back courses may require adjusted test times for extended time. Once approved, you will receive an email with the scheduled time, which will also appear in the ODS Online Portal. Any concerns should be communicated to Testing Staff before the test.

A best practice for proctoring outside the classroom is to create multiple versions of the test, providing accommodated students with an alternate but similar version.