It is the student’s responsibility to request accommodations each term. To request academic accommodations, students are required to complete a series of steps, before or at the beginning of each term. Students registered with the OFFICE OF DISABILITY SUPPORT SERVICES may request accommodations at any point during the term, but accommodations are only granted from the date faculty are notified by the student with an official Accommodation letter from the OFFICE OF DISABILITY SUPPORT SERVICES. For instance, a student may take the first exam in a particular class without using accommodations for which the student is eligible. The student may decide to activate accommodations for the second exam. Thus, the student would receive accommodations from the second exam forward. Furthermore, students have an obligation to inform the College in a timely manner of accommodation request. Students who fail to give sufficient notice of accommodation requests may not receive accommodations.

Student obligations with accommodations requests are as follows:

  1. Meet with an OFFICE OF DISABILITY SUPPORT SERVICES staff member to discuss accommodations requests.
  2. Complete an Accommodation Request Form.
  3. The OFFICE OF DISABILITY SUPPORT SERVICES will prepare an Accommodation Letter to the instructor of each course for which accommodations are requested.
  4. Deliver an Accommodation Letter to the instructor of each course for which accommodations are requested.
  5. Discuss how accommodations will be implemented with the instructor of the course. The OFFICE OF DISABILITY SUPPORT SERVICES is available to offer suggestions to the student and faculty member.
  6. Remind the instructor of exam accommodations at least one week before scheduled exams.
  7. Report any problems with accommodations implementation to the OFFICE OF DISABILITY SUPPORT SERVICES.

Students are required to deliver and discuss Accommodation letters with faculty before accommodations will be implemented. Instructors are not obligated to provide accommodations until such time they are notified by official hand delivered letters to do so. Also, accommodations are not retroactive. In other words, faculty are not obligated to accommodate prior exams, assignments, or any course related activity before an Accommodation Letter is delivered and discussed.

Students are entitled to appeal accommodations decisions of OFFICE OF DISABILITY SUPPORT SERVICES, Faculty or other College entities. Please refer to ABC 504/ADA Grievance Process for Students.

Each student registered with the OFFICE OF DISABILITY SUPPORT SERVICES will bring an accommodation letter to the professor listing the accommodations for which they are eligible. The student is asked to share the letter with their professor when discussing their need for accommodation. Feel free to call if there are any questions about the accommodations to be provided.

Students are to make their request to be accommodated at least nine (9) school days before the accommodation is needed. This time line for making a request is extended when a request requires text to be modified. It is the student’s responsibility to make sure that his or her professor is notified of their accommodation needs during the first week of class and to work with the professor to meet the required time lines.

Professors and teaching assistants are encouraged to provide a comprehensive syllabus with test dates during the first week of class. This is one of the most important things a professor can do to help with the accommodation process.

The rights of students registered at the OFFICE OF DISABILITY SUPPORT SERVICES are protected under both federal and state mandates that must be honored at all times. Many students wish to keep the fact that they have a disability a private matter. Any information gained from medical records or other inquiries are considered confidential under current law.

Hard of Hearing / Deaf

Faculty who are working with students who are hard of hearing or deaf are encouraged to meet with the interpreter before classes begin or during the first week of class to determine the best way to work with the interpreter.

Students who are hard of hearing may read lips and sometimes use personal listening systems in the classroom. The OFFICE OF DISABILITY SUPPORT SERVICES will work with a student and the professor on the use of a listening system at the student or faculty member’s request.

The OFFICE OF DISABILITY SUPPORT SERVICES acts as a resource to faculty, Departments, and Colleges as well as students who are seeking qualified interpreters for special College activities.

Scribe / Notetaker

A scribe is required to take notes or to scribe for a student during classroom activities and must have good skills in handwriting, spelling, and good organizational skills. If a scribe takes dictation from a student they are not to add to the information provided by the student. Faculty members are asked to encourage highly functioning students in their classes to act as a scribe when there is a student in the class who is in need of a scribe.

If a student shows interest in acting as a scribe he or she should be referred to the OFFICE OF DISABILITY SUPPORT SERVICES for training and payment.

Exams / Quizzes

Students with disabilities typically require accommodations for tests. For example, a student who is blind may need to have the test Brailled or read aloud. A deaf student may request that directions for the test be written or interpreted by a qualified interpreter. A student with a learning disability may need to dictate his or her answers, and a student with an Attention Deficit Disorder may need to have periodic breaks and a non-distractive environment while taking an exam. Most students who are accommodated need extended time to complete the test. Extended time is required only for the purpose of equalizing the student’s educational opportunities so the student will not be at a disadvantage due to his or her disability.

Students who require only extended time and/or a reduced distraction environment are accommodated by their professors; faculty who wish to ask questions about appropriately accommodating students may contact the OFFICE OF DISABILITY SUPPORT SERVICES.

It is very helpful to the student and accommodator, when a professor puts instructions for exams, date changes and other information in writing in addition to verbal communication.

Exams and quizzes which are modified by and/or administered at the OFFICE OF DISABILITY SUPPORT SERVICES are managed with maximum security. When a student is to be accommodated during a test the professor is asked to participate in the following process:

Please do one of the following:

  • Send exam by fax.
  • Send exam by email.
  • Hand deliver exam to the Office of Disability Support Services.

The test must be sent to the OFFICE OF DISABILITY SUPPORT SERVICES at least four days before it is to be administered. If the test is to be modified (converted to Braille, etc.) the test must be sent to the OFFICE OF DISABILITY SUPPORT SERVICES a week before it is to be administered.

Tests can be sent by e-mail to John.McAllister@arkansasbaptist.edu

The test will be returned to the professor with the student’s answers after it has been administered. It will be delivered to the professor’s address in a secured envelope. If the answers need to be transcribed from Braille to English additional time is required for delivery. Pick-up and delivery can be arranged by contacting

CONTACT:

John McAllister

1621 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. Little Rock AR. 72202

501-442-3794