Accommodations

If you have any testing-related accommodations (such as a space with reduced distractions or additional time), please ask your instructors if they will be providing your approved testing accommodations themselves or using the DAISS Testing Center.  

If an instructor decides to use the DAISS Testing Center, you are responsible for booking a seat in advance for every quiz, test and exam. Please the DAISS Testing Center page for detailed instructions.

While students are expected to meet established course attendance and deadline policies, some disabilities may involve episodic or cyclical flare-ups that cause occasional absences or difficulties meeting deadlines.  

In such cases, DAISS may offer accommodations to support flexibility in attendance and deadlines, helping students during these periods.

Please review the Flexibility in Attendance & Assignments Policy for detailed information about how this accommodation is approved and implemented.

Undergraduate students must fulfill UAlbany’s General Education requirements, which include foreign language and mathematics courses, to graduate.

Foreign Language Accommodations

Some students receive a foreign language exemption in high school. At the University-level, exemptions or substations require a comprehensive psychoeducational evaluation.

That documentation must identify a specific learning disability that significantly impacts foreign language acquisition. This typically includes cognitive and achievement testing, a formal diagnosis and a statement on how the student’s disability affects their learning a foreign language.

If you believe you may qualify, please discuss this during your DAISS registration meeting and consult your academic advisor. Substitutions may be available based on documentation and academic requirements.

Mathematics Accommodations

Based on the documentation submitted, DAISS supports the use of a basic calculator as an approved academic accommodation for the student. 

Priority registration may be approved as a reasonable accommodation in select cases, based on a student’s documented disability.  

A priority registration accommodation allows you to register for classes at the beginning of the registration cycle. Note: Priority registration is not available during the summer for incoming students.

You may request this accommodation during your DAISS registration meeting. All requests are reviewed on a case-by-case basis and are not guaranteed.

If you receive a priority registration accommodation, you are responsible for:

• Meeting with your academic advisor to plan your schedule
• Using the Schedule of Classes to review available classes
• Registering for courses on or after your enrollment appointment
• Using a computer for optimal access to the course registration system

DAISS prioritizes supporting students who face barriers, particularly regarding class scheduling, during the initial registration process. Here are examples of disabilities that may qualify for priority registration accommodations:

• Mobility impairments  
• Chronic health conditions  
• Visual impairments  
• Hearing impairments  
• Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)  
• Autism spectrum disorder (ASD)  
• Mental health conditions that significantly impact daily functioning 

Some accommodations commonly provided in high school are not applicable in a college setting, including:

• Clarified, interpreted or simplified test questions
• One-on-one aides
• Resource rooms
• Routine check-ins with staff
• Graphic organizers as standard accommodations
• Any accommodation that alters the fundamental goals, standards or learning outcomes of a course, exam or academic program

Academic accommodations are designed to provide equal access, not to modify academic expectations.

Students may live in on-campus housing with an emotional support animal (ESA) if they have an approved ESA accommodation. 

Service animals are allowed to accompany individuals with disabilities in all UAlbany facilities. DAISS does not require documentation, certification, training or licensing to verify a service animal.

If a student with a service animal does not need other disability-related accommodations, they are not required to register with DAISS. 

However, we encourage the student to connect with DAISS so we can provide support and guidance as needed.

When a student tells DAISS they are bringing a service animal to campus, our staff will ask these questions to determine if the animal qualifies as a service animal:

• Is the animal required because of a disability?
• What specific task(s) is the animal trained to perform? 
   

Service Animals in Classrooms

If a student intends to bring a service animal to class, DAISS can generate a service animal letter that the student can share with their instructors.

The letter would inform instructors that the student is permitted to have the service dog in class, ensuring proper access and support without unnecessary challenges.

To request this optional letter, please complete the Service Animal Registration Form.
 

Service Animals in On-campus Housing

Students living on campus with a service animal must submit an updated vaccination record annually using the Service Animal Registration Form to confirm the animal’s rabies vaccination is current, as legally mandated by New York State and Albany County.

Once DAISS has received and reviewed your submission, DAISS will notify Residential Life that you will be bringing a service animal into your on-campus housing assignment. Residential Life will inform your roommates and/or suitemates.