Elements that go into approving a reasonable accommodation
Student request
The student may contact OARS personnel who can direct them in the request process.
The student should fill out the request form.
Appropriate documentation
The student provides supporting documentation through the Accommodate portal upon submitting the request.
The documentation should be completed and signed by a licensed care provider who is familiar with the student and their individualized physical or mental impairments as they relate to the requested accommodation.
Interactive process meeting with student and OARS Specialist
OARS will invite the student for an intake meeting.
The purpose of the intake meeting is to participate in the “intentionally fluid and individual” conversation with the student to “listen, question, trust, reflect, and analyze” the student’s unique situation to determine if there is an institutional barrier requiring an accommodation to remove it. (The Professional’s Guide to Exploring and Facilitating Access).
The student will take the lead in their self-advocacy journey with OARS. Parents may attend this meeting but are expected to be silent observers.
OARS Determination
The OARS Accessibility Specialist and/or Accessibility team will review the student’s self-report along with all documentation and other resources as necessary to determine a reasonable accommodation decision.
If approved, the student’s Accessibility Specialist will send an eligibility letter detailing what was approved.
If not approved, the requested accommodation was deemed unreasonable or a functional alteration to the course or program. The student will receive an eligibility letter explaining why the accommodation was not approved and give the student the opportunity to share additional information (if applicable).
Each eligibility letter includes an appeal clause with a link to appeal at the student’s discretion.
In some cases, a student may have certain accommodations approved while others are not.