Reasonable Accommodation

A reasonable accommodation is a modification or adjustment to a course, program, service, activity or facility that enables a qualified student with a disability to have an equal opportunity to attain the same level of performance or enjoy equal benefits and privileges as are available to similarly situated students without disabilities.

Such modifications may include changes in the length of time permitted for completion of degree programs, substitution of specific required courses, adaptation in the manner courses are conducted, and examination modifications.

Reasonable accommodations are generally determined by examining:

  • The barriers resulting from the interaction between the documented disability and the campus environment.
  • The possible accommodations that might remove these barriers.
  • Whether or not the student has access to the course, program, service, activity or facility without an accommodation.
  • Whether or not the essential elements of the course, program, service, activity or facility are compromised by the accommodation.
  • Relevant laws and university policies.


Other related factors

When an OSWD counselor reviews an accommodation request, the following analysis is generally used:

  • Does the student have a disability as described by the federal definition of a person with a disability?
  • Is the student "otherwise qualified?"
  • Was the accommodation requested in a manner consistent with established university policies and procedures?
  • Is the accommodation reasonable and/or readily achievable?
  • Is the nature of the program or activity fundamentally altered by the provision of the accommodation?
  • Does the provision of the accommodation present an undue financial or administrative burden on the university?

Accommodations are determined on a case-by-case basis.