The application procesS
Welcome to the Department of Testing and Disability Services (TDS). In order to receive accommodations at the university level, students must apply online for Disability Services and provide current documentation from a case-appropriate licensed/certified professional. Our full documentation requirements can be found on our website under “Documentation.”
Students who submit documentation that does not meet documentation requirements will be notified via their university email account.
Once the application and appropriate documentation have been received, the Disability Services committee will meet to determine appropriate accommodations. The committee meets often throughout the school year. The student will be informed of the decision via their university email account.
Students Registered with Disability Services
Students who have been approved for accommodations must login to the TDS database and send accommodation letters to instructors each quarter. Upon approval for accommodations, students are sent step by step instructions on how to notify their instructors of their accommodations. Disability Services often sends email reminders of this process as well.
It is highly recommended that students send their accommodation letters at the beginning of every quarter. Accommodations are not retroactive. Students must use the database to request accommodations in order to receive them.
Once students send their accommodation letters, it is the student’s responsibility to meet with their instructors to discuss how their accommodations will be met for the quarter. It is a good idea to send letters and meet with instructors at the start of the quarter and check in with Disability Services with any questions early on in order to prevent any issues down the line.
Students with Testing Accommodations
Students who receive testing accommodations (extra time, distraction reduced environment, etc.) are required to send their accommodation letters to instructors via the TDS database. Within the accommodation letter emailed to the instructor will be a link to a testing contract. The student and instructor should meet and complete the testing contract at the beginning of the quarter. The contract is a short series of questions that will tell TDS where the student will test (in class or with TDS), what materials are allowed on the test, how the test will be returned to the instructor, etc. TDS cannot approve exam requests until the testing contract has been completed.
Students who wish to take their exams in the Testing Center must make a testing appointment request via the TDS database three business days in advance. Students are sent step by step instructions on how to schedule their exams. Reminders and the instructions of this process are also sent to students throughout the school year. If the syllabus for a class lists all the exam dates, students are encouraged to schedule all exams well in advance.