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ANNOUNCEMENT:

Disability Access Services is moving to a new accommodation software that will better serve the needs of our students and community. This is exciting news; however, it means that the current system is going offline while the new system comes online. DAS will be unable to accept accommodation requests until July 1. Feel free to reach out to DAS directly with any questions you have: [email protected]

Academic Accommodations

Any student with a documented learning, physical or mental disability who feels their disability may impact academic success may be qualified to receive accommodations. Students should make accommodation requests no later than 1 week prior to needing them. All discussions will remain confidential.

DAS Accommodations DO:

  • Reduce barriers to learning
  • Provide equitable opportunities for students

DAS Accommodations do NOT:

  • Fundamentally alter the nature of a course
  • Reduce academic requirements

Disability Access Services (DAS) at Concordia University coordinates reasonable resources with students and the campus community to allow for equal access and opportunity, which can ultimately improve a student's ability to learn, study, and/or participate in campus activities.

Students who believe they would benefit from accommodations as a way to address the impact of a disability are encouraged to contact DAS.

New students should start by registering with Disability Access Services.

Register with DAS

Requesting Academic Accommodations

Documentation Guidelines

DAS considers three resources in determining reasonable accommodations:

  • Self-report
  • Previous academic accommodations (such as an IEP, a 504 plan, approved accommodations at a former college)
  • Formal documentation from a qualified professional

Although a student’s lived experiences are important in understanding how some accommodations would be helpful, formal documentation that clearly demonstrates that a student has one or more functional limitations in the academic setting is required for most accommodation requests.

Formal documentation is information provided by a qualified licensed professional such as your doctor or therapist, or psychoeducational testing. We look for recent documentation (dated within the last five years). If you have older documentation, bring it so we can discuss it with you. We may ask that you obtain updated testing in order to get a clear picture of your current abilities and challenges. Please refer to the documentation guidelines for additional information.

Verification of Disability Form Documentation Guidelines

Academic Accommodations at Concordia University Irvine

Accommodations are determined on a case-by-case basis depending on the student’s documented disability and its functional impacts. Common accommodations may include:

  • Alternative Testing
  • Alternative Formats
  • Notetaking Accommodations
  • Accessible Furniture
  • Interpreting Services
  • Transcribing/CART Services
  • Flexibility with Attendance/Assignments

Classroom Accommodations

Once a student is registered with DAS and reasonable accommodations are determined, DAS will email an Academic Access Letter to the faculty of the enrolled classes for that current term. The student is expected to take the initiative and set up a meeting with the course instructor to discuss the specifics of each accommodation. DAS encourages that these meetings be held outside of the classroom so the instructor can honor the students.

Testing Accommodations

DAS is committed to providing fair and appropriate testing accommodations to eligible students. Students are responsible for scheduling proctored exams at least 4 days in advance. The testing room is located in the Student Success Center (identified as the Hallerberg Center on the campus map), in the same office space of the Academic Advisors. Students can schedule exams through the DAS Test Reservation Schedule.

Alternative Format

If a textbook is not available in an accessible format, students may request an accessible version from DAS via the Alternative Text Request form. DAS provides accessible textbooks through multiple platforms (Bookshare, direct from the publisher, AccessTextNetwork). If an accessible version is not readily available, the student may bring/mail the textbook to the DAS office for in-house conversion. Please note: converting textbooks into an accessible format may take up to 7 days.

Notetaking Services

DAS encourages students to take notes for themselves and use the resources provided by faculty. If a student would like to improve notetaking skills, please schedule an appointment with DAS for note-taking guidance and skill-building. DAS also encourages students to connect with our tutoring, writing, and counseling services.

Depending on the nature and functional limitations of a student’s documented disability, the student may be eligible for note-taking assistance. Note-taking assistance is provided as a necessary academic accommodation and is not considered a substitute for a student’s full participation in class. Assistance is determined on a class-by-class basis and is dependent upon the nature of each course and the method of instruction as it relates to the student’s documented disability. Notes and/or recordings are for a student’s personal study use only and are not to be shared with other individuals unless this is provided to all class participants.

Timeline

Support services may not be available until requested by a student registered with DAS. In order to ensure sufficient time to provide accommodations, the student must be registered for classes and notify DAS within the appropriate time frame each term.

If a request is submitted after the relevant deadline, reasonable efforts will be made by DAS and faculty to accommodate the request. However, we cannot guarantee that such a request can be met. Untimely requests may result in delay, substitutions, or denial of accommodation. Be sure to read DAS notices, reminders, and agreements in order to use accommodations.

Type of Service Time Required
Interpreting, Transcription Services, Video Captioning, Classroom Relocation, Braille At least four (4) weeks prior to student’s need
Tables, Chairs, Footstools, Podiums At least two (2) weeks prior to student’s need
Alternative Format At least two (2) weeks prior to student’s need
Notetaking Services Upon registration or two (2) weeks prior to student’s need
Alternative Testing Minimum advance notice required for scheduling exams with DSS: Quizzes and Midterms – 5 days or 3 business days
Accessible University Housing Requests made by March 15 will be given priority. After April 1, requests for accommodation will be made as space is available. DAS and RES recommend that you complete a Housing Accommodation Request when you fill out your housing application and submit appropriate documentation.

Rights & Responsibilities

Students with disabilities at Concordia University have the right to:

  • Equal access to courses, programs, services, jobs, activities, and facilities offered through the university
  • An equal opportunity to work and to learn, and to receive reasonable accommodations, academic adjustments, and/or auxiliary aids and services
  • Appropriate confidentiality of all information regarding their disability and to choose to whom, outside of the university, information about their disability will be disclosed, except as disclosures are required or permitted by law

Students with disabilities at Concordia University have the responsibility to:

  • Meet qualifications and maintain essential institutional standards for courses, programs, services, jobs, activities, and facilities
  • Identify as an individual with a disability when an accommodation is needed and to seek information, counsel, and assistance as necessary
  • Demonstrate and/or document (from an appropriate professional) how the disability limits their participation in courses, programs, services, jobs, activities, and facilities
  • Follow published procedures for obtaining reasonable accommodations, academic adjustments, and/or auxiliary aids and services

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