Classroom and Academic
Accommodations

Registering with Disability Services is an interactive process that involves student self-report, a Disability Services Specialist’s observation and interaction, and information from external sources (e.g., documentation from a healthcare provider). Disability Services collaborates with students to provide reasonable accommodations that are individualized and based on documentation, functional limitations, and a collaborative assessment of needs. Examples of academic accommodations include (but are not limited to):

  • Audio recording lectures (e.g., SmartPen) – The student may utilize their own equipment to audio/video record lectures. Disability Services can provide a Recording Acknowledgment form upon request. Find more information on the audio recording lectures Procedures.

 

  • Assistive technology – This may include reading software, text to speech, etc. Find more information on the ATI Website.

 

  • Sign Language Interpreters/Transliterators – Students who are Deaf or hard of hearing may require a Sign Language interpreter(s)/transliterator(s) who manually signs what is audible by any speaker and also voices what is signed by the student using English, American Sign Language (ASL), or Signed English. Deaf/Hard of Hearing & Deaf-Blind Information 

 

  • Furniture modifications – Student may require the use of alternative seating in classroom (e.g., adaptive table, chair or stood).students/faculty can reach out to ods@gmu.edu for these requests

 

  • Reduced distraction environment for tests, exams, and quizzes – Specific arrangements for testing accommodations are to be made between faculty members and the student for each test or exam. The Disability Services Testing Center ensures a reduced distraction environment through cubicles, blank walls, noise-canceling technology, and options available to students (e.g., ear plugs).

 

  • Additional time/breaks for tests, exams, and quizzes – For example, a student may need 1.5x or 2x additional time or a student may need one 5-minute break for every hour of testing.

 

 

  • Priority registration (Fall and Spring semesters only)

 

  • Reduced course load

 

  • Physical access–every effort is made to reduce barriers to classrooms and other university facilities. Students with accessibility concerns should contact Disability Services as soon as they become aware of the need for this type of accommodation.

 

While we do our best to provide the accommodations that students need to have equitable access to the University environment; there are some things that cannot be provided as accommodations. Our responsibility is to provide reasonable accommodations that do not lower standards or constitute a fundamental alteration to a class or program.