Disability Resource Center

Statement of Reasonable Accommodation Policy/
Alternative Test Programs

| Student Responsibility | Faculty Responsibility |

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) reinforced and extended the standards for compliance set forth in Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. The effect of this legislation on higher education is far reaching. Reasonable accommodations in policies, practices and procedures are necessary to avoid discrimination on the basis of disability. In order to comply with the mandate of Section 504, it is necessary to provide alternative testing arrangements to students whose disability may impair their ability to take examinations in traditional formats. It is the purpose of the alternative testing service to measure actual achievement rather than the impact or barrier caused by the student's disability.

Alternative testing arrangements might include extended time (up to double time), use of adaptive equipment (i.e. computer, spell checker, or Optilek), a private room, the use of a reader or scribe, oral exams, enlarged printing, or an exam converted into Braille. The needs for each student vary and accommodations are determined after reviewing current professional documentation of the individual's disability. Documentation should be within the last three years.

The Disability Resource Center (DRC) provides an alternative testing service in compliance with ADA standards to students who have disabilities. Eligibility for this service is determined by the DRC professional staff, and is based on the professional documentation provided by the student.

Student Responsibility

1. Students who have never used the testing services in DRC need to meet with the DRC staff to determine the appropriate accommodations and to review the guidelines for taking tests.
2. During the first two weeks of the semester, meet with your professors (not teaching assistants) to discuss your alternative testing arrangements. At this time, present them with the letter from DRC which verifies your need for alternative testing arrangements. Informing faculty of your need for alternative testing accommodations after the beginning of the semester may make arrangements more difficult to schedule.
3. At least one week (5 working days) prior to each exam that you want to take through the DRC office, contact your instructor again regarding the following information:
1. Clarify special test conditions with the instructor, such as whether or not the exam will be open book, open notes, calculators allowed, etc. These conditions must be stated on the envelope in which the test is delivered or in a note from the professor included with the exam.
2. Determine the date and time of the exam*, as well as if there will be any flexibility in when the professor will allow you to take the exam. (If a schedule of exams has been set, students may schedule exams for the entire semester. However, the student is still responsible for reminding the professor of the date and time of each exam).
3. Clarify that the professor needs to ensure that the exam arrives at least an hour before your scheduled exam time (note: if an exam needs to be Brailled, it should be delivered no later than a week before the scheduled time). Also let your professors know that they need to make arrangements to have exams picked-up after you have finished. (Due to minimal staffing, DRC cannot pick-up or deliver exams to professors or academic departments unless special arrangements are made in advance).
4. After all details of the testing have been discussed and approved with the professor (this having been completed at least a week in advance), you should go to the DRC office to schedule your exam or use this link to print off a testing reservation form. At that time, specify any special accommodations (i.e. computer, Optilek, reader, etc.) that are necessary. DRC does not guarantee the provision of service for late requests due to the difficulty in making arrangements for proctors. Students also need to provide DRC staff with the course number (or at least title) and the name of the instructor. In the event that services cannot be provided, the student is responsible for making arrangements with the professor.
5. Students are expected to arrive five to ten minutes early to take their exams. Students will not be given extra time if they arrive late. If a student arrives more than fifteen minutes late, they will only be allowed to take the exam if space is available.
6. If an exam needs to be changed or canceled due to illness or emergency, contact the Office of Disabled Student Services at least an hour prior to the scheduled test time. The student will be responsible for notifying the professor of the change or cancellation and for rescheduling an alternative time to take the exam. DRC will try to accommodate these changes, but will not guarantee that services can be provided on less than a week's notice.
   
   *Students may take exams Monday through Friday, between 8:30 AM and 5:00 PM. Any exam taken must be completed within this time frame due to the availability of proctors. As a result students should be aware of the amount of time they will require to complete the exam.
7. Students are expected to understand and follow the above guidelines. If guidelines are not followed, DRC cannot guarantee the provision of service. DRC also reserves the right to terminate testing privileges after three incidents of non-compliance with the guidelines.
8. Students are expected to uphold the integrity of the examination process and are subject to disciplinary action for academic misconduct. Academic Misconduct is not limited to obvious cases of cheating but can also include leaving the testing environment for any reason with out the permission of the DRC professional staff or exam proctor.
9. All exams delivered to DRC will be logged in as having been delivered by an appropriate staff member and then placed in a secure location in the department office. DRC will schedule all rooms and proctors for tests. Proctors are recruited from staff, administration, and community resources.
10. Students who complete an exam prior to the beginning of their class, will remain in the DRC office until their class begins the exam.

Faculty Responsibility

There are three things that professors are responsible for in this process:

1. The exam must be delivered to Campus Center, Room 137 or faxed to 442-3908 at least one hour prior to the student's scheduled start time. Please call prior to faxing an exam to protect the security of the test. Due to the difficulty in scheduling time for the proctor, student, and room, it is imperative that all exams start on time. When exams are not started punctually, DRC cannot guarantee that testing accommodations will be available for the entire time the student may need to complete the exam. (Please note: if an exam needs to be Braille, large print, or recorded, it should be delivered no later than one week before the scheduled time.) Due to minimal staffing, DRC cannot pick-up or deliver exams to professors or academic departments unless special arrangements are made in advance.
2. Any special circumstances regarding the test, should be noted on the test when delivered to DRC (e.g. open note/book, use of calculator, formulas, etc.)
3. Once completed, the test will remain in DRC awaiting pick-up by the professor or a designee of the department. Due to very limited staffing, DRC cannot deliver exams unless special arrangements have been made in advance.