Accommodation Descriptions
Accommodations are tailored to the individual needs of students. Reasonable accommodations must be supported by current documentation. A wide range of accommodations is available including, but not limited to:
Alternative Test Arrangements
Testing accommodations may include extended time, low distraction environment, relocation, or a different test format. The faculty has primary responsibility for providing appropriate exam space for students. Limited space can be arranged through SSD. It is expected that all exams will be taken at the regularly scheduled time unless the student and the instructor have made an alternative arrangement. Since most professors give dates of exams on the course syllabus, students can make testing arrangements at the beginning of the semester.Assistive Technology
Assistive Technology includes hardware such as an adapted mouse, large monitor, or adapted keyboard. These devices assist people with physical impairments. Software such as voice input/output, scanners, and text readers assist people with sensory motor impairment (blind, deaf) or people with learning disabilities. Virginia Tech provides two Assistive Technology Labs in Newman Library and in 1180 Torgersen Hall. The Special Services Lab Manager is available on an appointment basis at 231-3937 or at assist@vt.edu. Demonstrations are available for groups. Training is available for students or employees with documented disabilities. Students must be referred by SSD. Graduate Students with documented disabilities who are registered with SSD and actively working on their dissertation may access the lab while not enrolled in classes. The student must submit a letter from his/her committee chair stating that the student is working toward their dissertation and needs access to the Special Services Lab. The Assistive Technology or Lab Coordinators will arrange with the student to have his/her Hokie Passport programmed for access to the lab.Course Substitution
Students with appropriate documentation may request to substitute a course as an accommodation after they have established a record of not being able to meet the requirements of the course. Typically, the course substitutions are limited to the areas of foreign language and math. The academic dean, in consultation with SSD, will review such requests and determine if the substitution is appropriate. Substitutions cannot fundamentally change the integrity of the academic program.Extended Time on Projects and Assignments
Under certain conditions, "extended time on assignments and/or projects" may be an appropriate accommodation. This accommodation is only granted due to mitigating circumstances and with supporting documentation. This accommodation is granted on a case-by-case basis and must be requested prior to the project deadline. Time limits are negotiated between the faculty member and the student and are generally short extensions of time (i.e. 1-2 day extensions).Notetakers
Professors are asked to assist students in locating a volunteer notetaker in their classes by circulating a Notetaker Request Form. The student brings the form to the professor and the student should return the form to the SSD office. SSD will contact the volunteer notetaker. If a volunteer notetaker cannot be located, SSD will identify a notetaker for the class through alternate resources.
Alternate Text Format
A student with this accommodation may ask SSD to have their required textbook converted to an alternate text format by completing an Alternate Text Format Request form from our website. Alternate text format is a specialized version of the textbook such as a computer file that can be used with text to speech software. The special Services Lab in Newman Library makes special software available to our students so they can listen to their textbooks and create mp3s on their own.Interpreters and C-Print Captionists
Sign language interpreters and C-Print speech-to-text captionists for students who are deaf or hard of hearing are available for regularly scheduled classes and labs as well as for other campus related special requests. Due to the process of recruiting and assigning interpreters and captionists, students are asked to use priority registration and finalize their class and lab schedules early in the scheduling process. The coordinator of interpreting/captioning services should be notified as soon as any changes are made to student schedules. The request for interpreting or captioning services for class or campus-related special requests (e.g., meeting with professor, class group meeting, university event, etc.) should be made by the student as soon as the activity is known. These special requests will be coordinated either through the SSD office or through the department sponsoring the university event.Physical Access
Every effort is made to reduce barriers to classrooms and other university facilities. Students with accessibility problems should contact SSD as soon as they become aware of the need for an accommodation.Priority Registration
Priority registration is available to students whose documentation supports special scheduling consideration.Scribes
Scribes are available for students requiring such assistance. This service is usually provided for exams. Requests for scribes should be made at least a week prior to the time the service is needed.
Last updated: Monday, 29-Apr-2013 13:17:13 EDT