Student Handbook

Accommodations and Services for Students with Disabilities

Academic Accommodations: Testing Accommodations

Students with disabilities may receive testing accommodations determined on an individualized basis. A test, as used in this context, refers to quizzes and examinations taken during the semester in conjunction with an academic class. Students should discuss their specific needs for testing accommodations with Center for Students with Disabilities (CSD) staff within the first two weeks of a semester.

Students with documented learning disabilities who require accommodations must identify themselves to the University Program for Students with Learning Disabilities (UPLD) and present appropriate documentation. All other students, including those diagnosed with ADD/ADHD must present documentation to the CSD.

If the need for accommodations is deemed appropriate, students are requested to meet with CSD staff with their course information each semester. The CSD will then generate a testing accommodation letter, which the student will hand carry to each class faculty. The two University agents authorized to determine appropriate academic accommodations are the Center for Students with Disabilities (CSD) and the University Program for Students with Learning Disabilities (UPLD). Any other requests for academic accommodations from other University entities are not mandated.

Students are responsible for meeting with faculty to discuss exam accommodations at the beginning of the semester (within the first two weeks). It is our policy that students take exams at the scheduled time of the course unless the faculty member and director of the CSD approve an alternate time. It is also our policy that exams be administered within the academic department whenever possible. However, if this is not tenable, exams may be administered and proctored at the CSD.

Test accommodations determined on a case-by-case basis may include:

• Extended time to complete examinations and quizzes;
• A reduced distraction environment separate from the class;
• Special equipment such as a word processor, magnifier, or brailler;
• Readers and/or scribes; and
• Alternate formats such as oral or taped tests.

Reasonable accommodations depend upon the nature and degree of severity of the documented disability. While the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 requires that priority consideration be given to the specific methods requested by the student, it does not imply that a particular accommodation must be granted if it is deemed not reasonable and other suitable techniques are available.

Exam Administration Procedure

• When exams or quizzes are to be administered by the CSD, the student or faculty member must contact the CSD in order to schedule the test. Exams must be taken during the regular class time unless the faculty member and Director of the CSD approve an alternate time. Exams must be scheduled at least 48 hours in advance in order to ensure adequate accommodations. Failure to provide adequate notice may result in the accommodations not being available.
• The student and/or faculty member is responsible for completing an Exam Administration Form, which contains information about the course, what accommodations are to be provided, as well as the delivery of the examination. This information may be called in over the phone (486-2020) or completed at the CSD. All information will be verified with the faculty member.
• Whenever possible, exams should be e-mailed to wade.gibbs@uconn.edu or delivered by confidential fax to 486-4412. If an e-mail or fax is not possible, exams may also be delivered in a sealed envelope by the student, faculty member, or a department designee (such as the TA), or picked up by the Center. FACULTY SHOULD NOT SEND EXAMS TO THE CSD THROUGH CAMPUS MAIL.
• The CSD secures all exams in a locked file cabinet upon receipt. Upon return, exams will be sealed in an envelope with an office label and signed by the appropriate CSD representative.
• Whenever possible, exams will be returned by e-mail or fax. Exams may also be returned by the student in a sealed envelope, by the CSD, or picked up by the faculty member or department designee. THE CSD WILL NOT RETURN EXAMS THROUGH CAMPUS MAIL.

Please note the following

• All test materials, including calculators, formula sheets, etc., will be checked prior to the start of the exam to assure that they conform to the faculty’s directions.
• Once a student begins an exam, he/she will not be permitted to leave the room. In the case of an emergency, the CSD will document why the student left and will inform the faculty member. In such a case, a CSD representative will accompany the student.
• Cell phones, pagers, student backpacks, hats, bags, etc. are not permitted in the testing room.
• Students who are more than a half-hour late of the scheduled start time will not be permitted to take the exam without approval of the faculty member.