| Trouble viewing this email? Read it online. |
Introducing the Office of Accessible Education |
| January 2026 | Office of Accessible Education (OAE) |
|
The Office of Accessible Education (OAE), located in Benson Center 1, is a team of seven dedicated Santa Clara University professional staff members, supported by many hard‑working student employees. Together, we work to advance inclusion, access, and belonging for disabled students across campus. In close partnership with faculty, staff, and campus offices we strive to support the full student experience in classrooms, residence halls, dining spaces, and beyond. What is the OAE’s Role at the University?The OAE’s primary role is supporting the University in maintaining compliance with state and federal laws, specifically regarding student accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities, including, but not limited to, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 as amended (“ADA”), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (“Section 504”), and the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (“FEHA”). On behalf of the University, the OAE determines reasonable and appropriate accommodations for students with disabilities through the Interactive Process. How does the Interactive Process Work?The Interactive Process involves several components, including a review of medical documentation and, most importantly, a conversation with the student. While a formal diagnosis from a medical professional is required, our approach is holistic. We engage students in dialogue to understand their lived experiences. Each student is the expert in their own disability experience, and that perspective is essential in providing information to the OAE staff in determining appropriate accommodations. These discussions are a critical part of our team’s deliberative process and help ensure accommodations are thoughtful, appropriate, and effective. What is the Purpose of Accommodations?Accommodations are designed to level the playing field. Without accessibility support, disabled students face significant disadvantages compared to their peers. The purpose of accommodations is to provide equal access and opportunity—not preferential treatment. Campus environments—academic, residential, and curricular—can present unintended barriers. Accommodations exist to remove those barriers and create access, ensuring disabled students can fully participate in the University experience. Who is Responsible for Implementing Accommodations?The OAE will offer support and guidance concerning accommodations, but being experts in their curriculum, coursework, and assessments, faculty are required to effectively apply accommodations after being notified of a student’s accommodations. How are Faculty Notified About Accommodations?Faculty receive a Faculty Notification Letter to their SCU email naming the student, the student’s formally approved accommodations, and faculty responsibilities pertaining to appropriate implementation. What do Faculty do After Receiving the Faculty Notification Letter?The OAE advises faculty to meet with students once they have received the Faculty Notification Letter. This conversation will allow both the faculty and student to have a common understanding concerning the application of accommodations in that course. What Types of Accommodations will Faculty be Responsible for Implementing?Faculty will typically be responsible for implementing testing and classroom accommodations. Common classroom accommodations may include:
Common testing accommodations may include:
Faculty can utilize the OAE’s Common Accommodations guide detailing pertinent information for some of the more often approved accommodations. What Support does the OAE Offer for Exam Proctoring?*The OAE maintains a testing space in Benson Center 1 that includes two group testing rooms and four individual testing rooms. Group testing rooms are used as a reduced distraction testing environment for students with assistive technology or other accommodation profiles that cannot be fully implemented without the OAE’s assistance. Group rooms, Room K and Room J, seat up to 21 and 12 students respectively. Individual testing rooms are reserved for accommodations that require a private environment. For example, students approved to use dictation software must test in an individual space so they can speak aloud without disrupting peers. The OAE is not equipped to support all accommodated testing needs across the University. In most cases, our testing space serves as an ancillary support for faculty. Ultimately, the implementation of approved accommodations is the responsibility of the faculty member, as part of ensuring equal access to their course instruction and assessments. *School of Law - Faculty/Students may be directed to seek additional information regarding the infrastructure and administration of accommodated assessments through the OAE or the Law School Office of Assessment. Need Support Implementing Accommodations?We understand the many demands faculty must balance, and the OAE is here to help. If you have questions or are experiencing challenges implementing accommodations, we encourage you to reach out:
The OAE would like to hear from you!To better understand where faculty may be encountering challenges with accommodation implementation, we invite you to complete a brief Google Form. Your responses will help the OAE identify common troubleshooting needs, improve guidance, and offer more targeted support throughout the term. OAE Accommodation Feedback Form Thank you for your continued partnership and commitment to accessibility. We look forward to supporting your efforts to make Santa Clara University a more inclusive community. James Marik |
| Office of Accessible Education (OAE) | Privacy Policy | Unsubscribe |
Office of Accessible Education (OAE) Phone: (408) 554-4109 |