How to Make the Most of Your Academic Accommodations

You have sent in your documentation and completed your meeting with the Disability Coordinator.  What do you do to optimize your course experience? Here are a few tips for you to consider:

1. Contact your professor immediately after you receive your approved accommodations document and to arrange for the specific accommodation.  In general, faculty want this information the first week of classes.
2. If you present your documentation late, the professor is not obligated to provide accommodations prior to the presentation of documentation. Accommodations are not retroactive.
3. You must take the lead in informing and arranging accommodations. You set up an appointment during office hours, discuss your accommodations before or after class or send it by email.  When you present the accommodations you do not have to state why you need the accommodations but what you need to be successful in the class.
4. The student and the faculty are responsible for discussing ways in which the accommodations will be coordinated in each specific course.  The goal of the academic accommodation is to coordinate reasonable resources to allow you equal access and opportunity to learn, study, and participate in campus activities. Please remember that accommodations are only allowed if it is reasonable, and does not interfere with the integrity of the course.  It is best to have the discussion and determine when and how you will use your accommodations.
5. Extended Time Accommodations. This is another area where it is important to discuss reasonable extended-time accommodations guidelines.  You and your professor are responsible for locating a site for testing.  The sooner you inform the professor the better it is to find a location to take your exam. You have two options:
   1. After you present your documentation for extended time, discuss with your professor the details of when and where the test will be taken. Many times, the professor will provide a time and space in their office. If this does not work, then contact Student Disability Resource Center (SDRC) at TCCS.
   2. The SDRC new has four testing rooms. You can reserve them on a first come first serve basis by completing their Request for Test Proctoring Form or at their office, 909-607-9331, Tranquada Center. Test Proctoring Sheets are to be printed out and completed by both student and professor. Test Proctoring sheets are to be submitted no later than 3 days prior to the desired testing date. Once test proctoring sheets are completed they can be scanned and returned to sdrc@claremont.edu
   3. If none of these options are possible, please contact the Dean of Students Office as soon as possible to help locate a site to take your exam.
6. Reasonable attendance accommodations require a discussion between you and the professor. If the fundamental nature of the course relies upon your participation, this may need to be discussed with the professor, Dean of Students and you.
7. Tardiness Accommodations. Discuss what tardiness means to you and the professor. Come to some agreement about the extent of lateness.
8. Notetakers. The purpose of the note taking is to give the student access to course notes when personal or classroom variables challenge the ability to successfully attend, listen, participate and take notes simultaneously. There is a specific process for notetakers  that the Disability Coordinator will work with you.
9. Accommodations on another campus.  If you are enrolled in a class on another campus and are having problems communicating with the professor about your accommodations, you may wish involve that campus’s disability coordinator as well as our office.
10. Emotional Support Animals (ESA). Emotional support animals are allowed in residence halls but not in dining facilities or classrooms.