Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Higher Education AndAccommodations

The following question and answer section is provided to dispel some of the myths and misconceptions concerning services mandated by disability service laws.
  
Frequently Asked Questions and Answers

1. Can I arrange with the college to wake me up in the mornings, make sure I get to class/exams, help me get organized, and remind me of deadlines?
2. Will parents or the advisor/counselor will enroll me in college?
3. Is it true that some universities do not provide accommodations?
4. Can admission and/or graduation requirements can be altered/flexible?
5. If I qualified for Social Security, I will automatically get disability services in college?
6. Will colleges provide me transportation from my home/apartment to campus?
7. Will college provide the same services and modification as the high school IEP?
8. Do colleges provide tuition and fee waivers for students with disabilities, and help with the cost of books?
9. Are accommodations supposed to guarantee that I will pass my classes?
10. Will all of my accommodations will be taken care of once I enroll?
11. Will whatever accommodations I request be provided?
12. Will any absences automatically be excused if it is disability related?
13. Can I redo and retake assignments and tests to adjust the results?
14. Are colleges are required to provide one-on-one tutoring?
15. Once accommodations are requested, can all the previous exams/assignments be changed, if necessary?
16. Will my professors will give me hints/prompts when taking tests?
17. Are instructors required to give me their notes, outlines, study guides and a practice exam?
18. As a parent, can I arrange to have weekly progress reports like all through grade and high school.
19. If I attend class and do the homework I will pass the class?
20. Since I provided the other college with documentation about my disability, do I just need to bring the accommodation list to the college to where I am transferring?
21. Will the college need to create an independent study program or allow me to take classes at home?
22. Is “Coaching” a service that colleges provide students who have ADD?
23. If I have poor memory, can I have open book tests or weekly exams?

Can I arrange with the college to wake me up in the mornings, make sure I get to class/exams, help me get organized, and remind me of deadlines?
Items of a personal nature are the responsibility of the student.  It is also reasonable for the institution to expect the students can get to class and be responsible as part of being “otherwise qualified”.

Will parents or the advisor/counselor will enroll me in college?
Students are responsible for selecting courses and enrolling each semester.  Working with academic advisors and factoring-in disability-related needs are important considerations in course selection.

Is it true that some universities do not provide accommodations?
ALL postsecondary institutions are required to provide appropriate academic accommodations.  The extent of services/accommodations may vary, as well as the name of the office/person who is responsible.

Can admission and/or graduation requirements can be altered/flexible?
Established requirements i.e. admission, graduation, course(s), GPA, code of conduct, etc.-are the same for ALL students.  Accommodations may be appropriate dependant upon the “essential elements” of the program.  However, the same standard exists, and students with disabilities are equally accountable.

If I qualified for Social Security, I will automatically get disability services in college?
Services and accommodations are based on two (2) prongs: (1) documentation of a disability by an appropriate professional and (2) a substantial limitation (impacting learning, reading, etc.).  Having a disability protects an individual from discrimination but does not establish a need for accommodations.

Will colleges provide me transportation from my home/apartment to campus?
Equal access to transportation is required.  If no transportation exists, there is no responsibility to create a system for students with disabilities.  So, be sure to identify what college and/or public transportation exist.  Where you live may also be important in terms of proximity to campus or a bus route.

Will college provide the same services and modification as the high school IEP?
The IEP is specific to K-12.  Accommodations in higher education are determined by disability documentation and substantial limitation due to the disability.  Also, some services provided in K-12 may be inappropriate in higher education.  Determining the availability of accommodations in college is NOT solely based on whether an IEP existed (or not) in high school.

Do colleges provide tuition and fee waivers for students with disabilities, and help with the cost of books?
No.  Financial aid and scholarships may be available through the Office of Financial Aid.  Other resources for information on books and tuition assistance include the campus disability services office, Vocational Rehabilitation Services (a.k.a. “Voc Rehab”, “DARS”).

Are accommodations supposed to guarantee that I will pass my classes?
Accommodations are meant to provide “equal access” and “equal opportunity”.  Access is no guarantee of success.  All students are required to perform to the same standards.

Will all of my accommodations will be taken care of once I enroll?
Students are required to self-identify each semester.  Upon self-identification, review of documentation, and determination of appropriate accommodations, students must request services in order to receive them.  Without notification or request, no accommodations are provided.  Prairie View requires students to request accommodation letters and services each semester since courses, expectations, needs and the impact of the disability may change.

Will whatever accommodations I request be provided?
Accommodations are based on disability documentation and substantial limitation of the disability.  “Essential elements” need not be changed.  Consideration is given to individual preferences, but it is the institution’s decision, as long as it can be shown to be “equally effective”.

Will any absences automatically be excused if it is disability related?
Courses in which attendance is deemed “essential” are subject to the attendance policy of the University. In case of excused absences, the student is responsible for the material and assignments in the class. Assignments should be completed within the time arranged by the instructor.

Can I redo and retake assignments and tests to adjust the results?
Accommodations are made in order to meet the expectations and requirements of the course.  With appropriate accommodations, it is expected that students with disabilities will complete the homework assignments, and take exams at the scheduled time.  Poor performance, with accommodations, is no grounds for a retake/redo or extra credit.

Are colleges are required to provide one-on-one tutoring?
Tutoring is considered something of a “personal nature” therefore, outside the scope of accommodations.  Equal access to tutoring provided to all students is required.  PVAMU provides tutoring specifically for students with disabilities as an additional service.

Once accommodations are requested, can all the previous exams/assignments be changed, if necessary?
The obligation to provide accommodations begin at the point a request is made.  Reasonable notice is required from the student to enact accommodations.  Accommodations are NOT retroactive.

Will my professors will give me hints/prompts when taking tests?
Exams are taken with the same expectations of other students in the class.  “Prompting” by instructors or proctors is an inappropriate accommodation.

Are instructors required to give me their notes, outlines, study guides and a practice exam?
Equal access to the material presented is the focus of accommodations.  Lecture material can be gained via taping lectures, use of volunteer note takers, notes posted on the internet, or instructor notes.  There is no requirement to create something (e.g., notes, study tools).  Additional study strategies, such as identifying key points, reading comprehension, and extended test-taking time may be necessary.  If instructors request, extended time may be given in the instructor’s office or in the Disability Services office on campus.

As a parent, can I arrange to have weekly progress reports like all through grade and high school.
FEPRA (Family Educational Rights & Privacy Act), a.k.a. “Buckley”, requires strict confidentiality of student information.  The institution interacts with the student as an adult, and would require a “release of information” to share records and/or information with anyone else…including parents.  This change in focus is important in that the STUDENT is expected to be responsible and accountable for his/her business.

If I attend class and do the homework I will pass the class?
Grades are based on the criteria established by the instructor.  Extra credit as an accommodation is inappropriate.

Since I provided the other college with documentation about my disability, do I just need to bring the accommodation list to the college to where I am transferring?
Each college is permitted to establish their documentation guidelines/requirements.  Although greater consistency is occurring nationwide, it is important to check with the institution directly as to what documentation is necessary.  Also, accommodations provided at one institution do not obligate another institution to the same.

Will the college need to create an independent study program or allow me to take classes at home?
Some courses are offered via Independent Study, or on-line, as Distance Education, etc.  Check with the Registrar or other appropriate office for these courses.  Creating another version of a course offered on-campus is not required.

Is “Coaching” a service that colleges provide students who have ADD?
Study skills (note taking, test-taking, time management, organization, etc.) are typically offered in the Center for Academic Support or by developmental education specialists on campus.  It is a service offered to students in general.  The PVAMU Diagnostic Testing and Disability Services Office also provides one-on-one assistance.  Note Well:  The purpose is skill building.  The student is responsible for his/her own studying and preparation.  Before coaching or one-on-one tutoring services, we will discuss what issues exist and what available long-term accommodations may best address them.

If I have poor memory, can I have open book tests or weekly exams?
Accommodations are provided in order to have equal access and equal opportunity to the programs and services offered.  Changing the exam format and/or the number of exams is generally considered to be a change in the “essential elements” of the course.  Alternate forms of the exam may be an accommodation provided by the instructor, if this service can be provided without changing essential elements or mastery levels of the course.