Academic Accommodations
To request disability accommodations at Walla Walla University, students must first self-identify by making an initial request for accommodations. You may begin this process any time after officially enrolling at Walla Walla University.
To get started, you are welcome to submit documentation from a healthcare provider to our office at any time. We are happy to receive your paperwork however it is easiest for you to send it. You may send:
- A digital copy over e-mail to dss@caminal-equip.com
- A printed copy to:
Disability Support Services
204 S College Ave.
College Place, WA 99324 - A faxed copy to (509) 527-2090
Once you have finalized your course schedule, you will have an intake meeting with a Disability Support Specialist to discuss your accommodation needs with respect to your specific courses.
Please note: if you anticipate requesting accommodations that require coordination in advance, we encourage you to contact our office during the summer to allow additional time for coordination of your accommodations. Processing accommodations generally takes anywhere from 6-8 weeks.
Relevant Laws & Regulations
- Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA): Requires equal access to education for students with disabilities.
- Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act: Prohibits discrimination based on disability in federally funded programs.
- Washington State RCW 28B.10.912: Mandates institutions to provide accommodations for students with disabilities.
Accommodation Types
This section below provides an overview of common accommodations, faculty and student responsibilities, and guidelines for implementation. DSS works closely with both students and faculty to ensure that accommodations are implemented fairly and effectively.
Purpose: Assignment extensions help students with chronic conditions who may need more time to complete assignments. Extensions ensure compliance with the ADA, Section 504, and relevant Washington State laws.
Faculty Rights and Responsibilities:
- Engage in Dialogue with Students: Discuss extension requests with students and set clear, reasonable limits on the number and length of extensions (typically 24-48 hours or 5-7 days due to health circumstance).
- Maintain Academic Integrity: Extensions are not retroactive. Instructors are not required to adjust penalties for late work submitted before receiving the DSS accommodation letter.
- Class Policies Remain Applicable: The class's late work policy will apply if a student fails to meet the agreed-upon extension deadline or if lateness is unrelated to the disability.
Student Responsibilities:
- Request Extensions Proactively: Request an extension before the assignment due date whenever possible. In cases of emergency, request the extension as soon as reasonably possible.
- Sign the DSS Accommodation Letter: Acknowledge and agree to the terms of the accommodation letter.
- Complete Assignments Promptly: Complete assignments within the new time frame, typically 24 – 48 hours, but up to 5 – 7 days if necessary.
Guidelines for Determining Reasonable Extensions:
- Nature of the assignment and preparation time required
- Potential impact on class discussions or subsequent assignments
- Flexibility in assignment deadlines and grading policies
Purpose: Exam extensions allow students with disabilities to take exams at a later time, ensuring they have an equal opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge and skills.
Faculty Rights and Responsibilities:
- Engage in Dialogue with Students: Agree on the specifics of the extension, such as the number and length of extensions (typically, students will have 24-48 hours or 5-7 days due to a health circumstance).
- Maintain Academic Integrity: Students cannot reschedule exams once they begin them. Extensions are not retroactive for missed exams before receiving DSS accommodation letters.
- Class Policies Remain Applicable: The class's policies regarding late exams will apply if the student misses the extended deadline or if lateness is not related to the disability.
Student Responsibilities:
- Request Extensions Proactively: Students should notify faculty prior to the exam if they need an extension. They should not begin the exam if they suspect they will be unable to finish.
- Sign the DSS Accommodation Letter: Confirm understanding and agreement to the terms of the accommodation.
- Complete Exams Promptly: Exams should be rescheduled as soon as possible after the original exam date. Extensions typically range from 24 – 48 hours but may extend up to 5 – 7 days depending on health circumstance.
Guidelines for Determining Reasonable Extensions:
- Impact of the exam on subsequent class activities
- Degree to which the exam results are integrated into the course
- Flexibility regarding exam schedules and educational experience
Purpose: Absence accommodations support students whose disabilities may prevent them from attending class on a regular basis, ensuring equal access to learning opportunities.
Faculty Rights and Responsibilities:
- Evaluate Absence Requests on a Case-by-Case Basis: Set reasonable limits on the number of absences, considering course structure and participation requirements. Attendance policies consider disability-related absences. Excessive absences due to a disability may not necessarily be accommodated, and requests for absences from class should be considered on an individual basis. Absences may have an adverse impact on learning material and course completion.
- Maintain Academic Standards: Absence accommodations only apply to disability-related absences and do not cover non-disability-related absences.
- Collaborate with Students and DSS: Document attendance accommodations clearly and ensure written agreements are made and include DSS for documentation purposes.
- Clarify Missed Work Policies: Students must make up missed work within a reasonable timeframe, typically 24-48 hours or 5-7 days due to a health circumstance.
Student Responsibilities:
- Proactively Communicate with Instructors: Notify professors about anticipated absences in advance when possible.
- Adhere to Reasonable Limits: Attendance policies consider disability-related absences. Excessive absences due to a disability may not necessarily be accommodated, and requests for absences from class should be considered on an individual basis. Absences may have an adverse impact on learning material and course completion. Avoid excessive absences; collaborate with instructors on plans for making up missed work. (24-48 hours to complete missed assignments and exams or 5-7 days due to a health circumstance).
- Obtain Missed Materials: Acquire lecture notes and materials from peers. It is the students responsibility.
Guidelines for Setting Attendance Accommodations:
- Degree to which attendance impacts course outcomes
- Feasibility of making up missed activities
- Alternative learning opportunities (e.g., recordings, online discussions)
Purpose: Audio recording of lectures provides for students with disabilities an accessible means to review class material, ensuring equal access to course content.
Faculty Rights and Responsibilities:
- Understand Accommodation Requirements: DSS will provide faculty with a notification letter if a student is approved for audio recording.
- Balancing Course Integrity: Faculty may raise concerns about audio recording sensitive material. DSS will work to address these concerns.
- No Consent Required: Under Washington State law, no consent is needed from faculty or other students for approved recordings.
Student Responsibilities:
- Sign the DSS Audio Recording Agreement: Agree to use the recordings solely for personal academic use and store them securely. That is complete when students sign their accommodation letter via Accommodate.
- Respect Sensitive Material: Pause recording during sensitive discussions as needed.
Guidelines for Recording:
- Audio Recording is allowed for lecture content and class activities.
- Sensitive material may require adjustments to ensure appropriate access.
- Delete all recordings at the end of the quarter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Are extensions granted for all assignments/exams?
A: No, extensions are approved on a case-by-case basis for each assignment or exam.
Q: Can instructors deny an extension request?
A: Instructors should consult with DSS if an extension would fundamentally alter the nature of the course and look at alternatives to ensure equal access.
Q: Do students need to provide medical documentation for each request?
A: No, students are not required to provide medical documentation each time they request accommodations. The DSS accommodation letter is sufficient.
Logistics for Exam Accommodations
How it works:
- Alternative testing site: Student arranges the testing space and exam start/end time directly with faculty or teaching staff. The student can test at the SDC or with the professor.
- Auxiliary aids: Scribes and readers are requested by student via Accommodate 6-8 weeks prior to the new quarter.
- Extended time (1.5x or 2x): Accommodation letter specifies additional time.
- Reschedule / stagger exams: Students with extended exam time accommodations may need to reschedule exams due to a time conflict. Students must notify faculty early if a time conflict is anticipated. Faculty will notify them if they should test at the SDC or if they can proctor the exam.
Accommodation Types for Exams
The menu below lists several common accommodation types for exams, as well as examples of students for whom that accommodation may be necessary. Should you have more questions about accommodations or testing procedures, please see our Testing Policy, or reach out to DSS at dss@caminal-equip.com.
Examples of why accommodation is necessary:
Student for whom distractions significantly interfere with sustained attention and focus.
Student uses accommodations that would distract others (e.g., speech-recognition software, use of a scribe).
Student for whom clinical levels of generalized anxiety are debilitating.
Examples of why accommodation is necessary:
Student with severe visual impairments, spinal cord injury, or limited mobility of hand/arm may need a scribe to write exam answers.
Student with hearing impairment may need a sign language interpreter or real-time captioner to access oral instructions or oral exam materials.
Examples of why accommodation is necessary:
Student who needs to use a variety of devices, methods, or scribes for reading or recording responses to exams require additional time to transfer answers or process material.
Student with visual impairment who reads or records the exam in enlarged print or Braille may need extra time.
Student with chronic illness or mental health disorder where symptoms of disability or side effects of medications result in lowered stamina or cognitive slowing may need added time.
Student with a learning disability whose reading lacks automaticity in rate and fluency may require additional time.
Examples of why accommodation is necessary:
Student who is taking prescription medications to alleviate pain, or who has diabetes, may need breaks during an exam for ingestion of food or water.
Student with traumatic brain injury may require short breaks to refocus.
Student with a physical disorder may require movement to relieve muscle strain and tension.
Examples of why accommodation is necessary:
Student with visual impairment may use text recognition program that converts printed text to voice in order to listen to examination questions.
Student who has restricted use of hands or a learning disability may use a computer with speech-recognition software to write (dictate) exams.
Example of why accommodation is necessary:
Student with a medical condition may need to continuously monitor and be alerted by an application installed on their smartphone. Smartphone may be placed on "airplane mode."