Definition

Accommodations are:

• Provided to allow students with disabilities an equal opportunity to participate in and benefit from (3 Law) the instructional environment. Accommodations reduce the negative impacts of a disability by modifying the environment, providing auxiliary aids, or modifying instructional techniques.
  
  
• "Modifications to policy, procedure, and delivery method. Accommodations are not modifications to the fundamental or essential skills and knowledge being taught or a guarantee of success for the student being accommodated (5 Law). The intended outcome of an accommodation is to allow students with disabilities an equal opportunity to participate in and benefit from courses to the fullest extent possible" (Lissner, 1998).

The U.S. Department of Education, Office of Civil Rights (OCR) defines accommodations as:

• The use of auxiliary aids (such as an adaptive computer or an interpreter)
• Modifications to physical facilities
• Modifications to the methods of instructional delivery, or
• Modifications to the methods of evaluation related to a course (i.e., exams, quizzes)

• Assistive/adaptive technology
• Lab adaptations (which may include assistive/adaptive technology)
• Exam accommodations (e.g., extra time, distraction-reduced space)
• Use of a note taker
• Print material in alternate format (e.g., Braille, large print, books on tape, textured charts and graphs, electronic text, etc.)
• Seating arrangements
• Sign Language Interpreter/Interpreting Services
• Use of a reader or scribe

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