Classroom Accommodations
Definition
Provide additional time for the student to formulate, organize, and verbally articulate thoughts. Ensures that faculty allow for pauses in conversation and do not rush or penalize the student for communication delays due to a documented disability.
Implementation
Provide an intentional 5–10 second pause after questions to give the student adequate space to organize and express their thoughts. Giving additional time allows the student to communicate independently and reduces performance anxiety.
Tips to Make It Work
- Practice active listening.
- Avoid the urge to finish sentences or fill silences.
- Focus on the substance of their ideas rather than the speed of delivery to ensure they are not penalized for processing or speech delays.
Definition
Genio is an SCU-approved web application that allows students to record lecture audio and sync it with digital notes using their own laptop or mobile device. This accommodation is strictly for personal study, with students signing a quarterly agreement with OAE prohibiting the distribution of recordings. All audio files are governed by university academic conduct rules and must be destroyed once the course is complete.
Implementation
Faculty must permit the use of a laptop or mobile device to run the Genio application, even if the course has a general "no electronics" policy.
Students must be permitted the use of the Genio application, even if the course is already being recorded.
To protect student privacy, please avoid calling attention to the software, as the application appears identical to standard digital note-taking.
Tips to Make It Work
- Plan ahead to ensure the student is seated where they can clearly capture audio.
- You may ask the student to pause recording during sensitive "off-the-record" discussions where all students are prohibited from taking notes.
- If there is a “no electronics” policy in your class, you may suggest the student sit in a specific area, like the front or side of the room, to minimize screen distractions for others without singling the student out.
Definition
Allows a student to wear noise-reducing headphones, earplugs, or other white noise/ambient noise reducers in the classroom.
Implementation
Permit the student to wear their noise-reducing device throughout class, even if you have a general policy prohibiting headphones or earbuds.
Noise-reducing devices are intended to manage sensory input and focus while allowing the student to engage in lectures and class discussions.
Tips to Make It Work
- When addressing the student directly, ensure you have their visual attention first to account for the reduced environmental volume.
Definition
Allows the student to receive materials such as lecture slides, outlines, or handouts in advance of the class period from the faculty, when available.
Implementation
Whenever possible, upload your lecture slides, outlines, or handouts to Camino or email them to the student at least 24 hours before class to allow them time to review and prepare. This practice enables the student to focus on active listening and processing your lecture content.
Tips to Make It Work
- If materials are not fully finalized, provide a draft or a version from a previous term as an effective alternative.
Definition
This accommodation allows the student to use a laptop or tablet during class to facilitate effective note-taking. It is intended to mitigate disability-related impacts that may interfere with handwriting, processing, or organizing information in real time. By enabling digital recording, organization, and storage of lecture content, the accommodation supports the student’s ability to capture and retain course material, thereby ensuring equitable access to classroom instruction.
Implementation
Faculty must permit the use of a laptop or tablet for note-taking even if a general "no electronics" policy is in place. Treat the device as a required accessibility tool and avoid monitoring the screen or questioning its use during class.
Tips to Make It Work
- If there is a “no electronics” policy in your class, you may suggest the student sit in a specific area, like the front or side of the room, to minimize screen distractions for others without singling the student out.
Testing Accommodations
Definition
An alternative test site allows a student to take exams in a location other than the standard classroom. The purpose of this accommodation is to provide a quieter, less distracting environment that supports the student’s testing needs.
Implementation
Plan to have your student take the exam in a separate, designated space, such as a secondary classroom, office, or conference room.
The environment is not required to be a silent, private setting, nor does it necessitate students testing with OAE.
Coordinate exam delivery, timing, and return procedures so the student can complete the exam under the same conditions and expectations as the class, without interruptions.
Tips to Make It Work
- With the help of your department admin and/or chair, identify and confirm an alternative testing location in advance to ensure it provides a quiet, low-distraction environment.
Definition
This accommodation allows the student to take breaks during an exam without the exam time counting against them — in other words, the exam timer is paused while the student is on break. The student will use these breaks to step away in order to manage disability-related impacts.
Implementation
Per the student’s request, the exam time is paused and, when the student is ready, the exam is resumed with the remaining time. The student must be allowed to pause and subsequently resume the exam without penalty.
The frequency and length of each break can vary per each student’s specific disability-related needs.
Pausing the exam ensures the student’s total testing time remains uninterrupted and equivalent to the allotted duration when the student is impacted by disability-related symptoms.
Tips to Make It Work
- Discuss with the student a clear process for stopping and restarting the exam clock ahead of time.
- Ensure that you have access to your planned testing space for the additional time needed, or plan for an alternative testing site.
- Be mindful of potential scheduling overlaps with the student’s other classes or academic commitments when accounting for this accommodation.
Definition
The student is to receive time-and-a-half (150% of the standard time allotted for exams, tests, or timed assessments). For example, if an exam is scheduled for 2 hours, the student would receive 3 hours.
Implementation
Plan logistics in advance to ensure the student can use their full extended time without interruption, including coordinating appropriate start and end times or providing a separate testing environment if needed.
Students may not be asked to miss, arrive late or leave early from other classes in order to receive the full extended time of their exam.
Tips to Make It Work
- Be mindful of potential scheduling overlaps with the student’s other classes or academic commitments when arranging extended testing time.
- Ensure that you have access to your planned testing space for the additional time needed.
Definition
A memory aid or “cue sheet” is a testing accommodation for students with documented disabilities that impact memory and recall, designed to trigger previously learned information. It may include limited mnemonics or formulas but must not summarize course content, lower academic standards, or alter essential course requirements, as determined by the faculty.
Implementation
The student should submit the cue sheet they created well in advance of the exam for review. The faculty reviews and approves the cue sheet, removing any content that represents essential learning objectives, and has final authority over what is permitted.
Only the approved version—signed if required—may be used and must be turned in with the exam.
Tips to Make It Work
- Establish an agreed upon submission date/time for the student’s cue sheet.
- Prior to the student drafting the memory aid, discuss what topics and the set of information can be included.
Definition
The text-to-speech accommodation allows students to use screen reader software or devices, such as Apple VoiceOver, Google’s built-in screen reader, or other approved programs. These tools read digital or printed text aloud to support comprehension and access to exam materials.
Implementation
Ensure all exam and course materials are provided in a digital, screen-reader-compatible format (such as accessible PDFs or text-based documents). Allow the use of approved text-to-speech software during exams, including the use of wired headphones to support privacy and reduce disruption, while ensuring the accommodation does not provide access beyond what is permitted.
Tips to Make It Work
- If concerned about headphones that have bluetooth capability, you can require the use of wired headphones that directly connect to the student’s electronic device.