Classroom Accommodations

This can be done by emailing disability_services@alma.edu.

Students are encouraged to set up accommodations at the beginning of each semester.

Documentation can include, but is not limited to, a Section 504 Plan, an Individualized Education Plan (IEP), or a letter from the student’s provider. If the student does not have a previous accommodation or recommendation from their provider, their provider should fill out the Provider Recommendation Form.

The Provider Recommendation Form must:

1. Be completed by a qualified medical or mental health professional. Diagnoses of disabilities documented by family members are unacceptable.
2. Be completed by a professional with first-hand knowledge of the condition(s) and sent directly from the provider’s office. Form will not be accepted from students.
3. Be completed as clearly and thoroughly as possible. We recommend typing answers into the fillable PDF, as illegible handwriting will require additional follow-up. To access the fillable PDF, click “Fill & Sign” in the Toolbar on the right side of Adobe.
4. Be completed with the understanding that the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) defines the term “disability” as a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities. Major life activities include, but are not limited to, caring
   for oneself, performing manual tasks, seeing, hearing, eating, sleeping, walking, standing, lifting, bending, speaking, breathing, learning, reading, concentrating, thinking, communicating, and working.

Schedule an appointment with the Assistant Director of Student Success to discuss:

• How your condition impacts a major life function.
• Subject areas or times that are particularly difficult for you.
• Expectations of higher education including anticipated workload, program technical standards, attendance, code of conduct, standards, etc.

The Assistant Director of Student Success will then meet with the student, and use the documentation and information from the student to determine what accommodations are best. This process can take up to 1-2 weeks.

• Once the student has approved the initial letter of accommodations, the Assistant Director of Student Success will send their letter of accommodations to them in the Student Accommodation Agreement form. Students will read through and approve the form to show that they understand their responsibilities in using their classroom accommodations, and will download their letter of accommodations from the form.
• It is the student’s responsibility to renew their classroom accommodations each semester. Students can fill out the Classroom Accommodation Request form with their renewal request, or email the Assistant Director of Student Success to request the renewal of their classroom accommodations. The Assistant Director will update their letter and send it to them in the Student Accommodation Agreement form.
• Once the student has downloaded their updated letter of accommodations, they should send their accommodation letters to their instructors in the Faculty Accommodation Agreement Form to notify them of eligibility and desire to use accommodations. Students are in charge of sending out their accommodations to the instructors of classes in which they would like to use their accommodations. This is important in order to protect confidentiality and to promote self-advocacy and independence.
• Students are encouraged to talk with their instructors about the letter and the reasons for the accommodations, but it is not required. Faculty members are aware of the policies and procedures surrounding accommodations in the classroom. If a student feels comfortable talking about their needs, an instructor might be able to offer suggestions specific to their course and style of teaching that may be more effective than the accommodations alone.
• Students who are apprehensive about discussing their letter of accommodations with one or more instructors can talk with the Assistant Director of Student Success for assistance with this task.

Students are encouraged to work with the Assistant Director of Student Success at any point, but especially if they are experiencing any difficulty with their classroom accommodations, have a new diagnosis to share, are experiencing different impacts due to medication changes or ongoing disability-related treatment or progression, or wish to discuss support resources that may be available to aid in their success.