Using Your Accommodations
Students approved for accommodations through Disability Resources for Students (DRS) must take several steps each quarter to ensure their accommodations are implemented. Use this page to understand what to do, when to do it, and who to contact for support.
1. Activate accommodations in myDRS
Information
Most accommodations require activation, including accommodations for all traditional classroom environments. However, some accommodations in non-traditional environments require a different process. Reach out to your Access Coordinator if you are in a non-traditional learning environment and need more information.
You must activate every accommodations every quarter for every course in:
- Traditional learning environments (all classroom courses)
- Some non-traditional environments (e.g., study abroad, practicum, lab)
Accommodations are not automatic or retroactive.
They cannot be used until you activate them.
Note
Some requests will require completion of additional steps. You can find links to these specific topics on your myDRS Dashboard or in the accommodation description after your accommodation requests have been submitted. You can also review the information on how to use specific accommodations on our website.
Important timeline information
To ensure your accommodations are ready on time, activate accommodations 5 weeks before the quarter starts. If your accommodations were approved after the quarter started, then activate them as soon as possible. Requests are handled first-come, first-served, and accommodations are not retroactive.
Some accommodations have specific deadlines, so it’s important to check the DRS Accommodation Timelines to know when each step must be completed.
Requests after the recommended deadlines may still be processed but could result in delays, alternative arrangements, or limited availability.
Why activating early matters
Activating early gives DRS time to coordinate with campus partners and external services/vendors to set up accommodations. It ensures that instructors can be notified of your accommodations and can prepare for how to implement your accommodations so they are ready when you need them.
What happens after you activate
After you submit your activation:
- DRS sends your Faculty Notification Letter (FNL)
– Usually 2 weeks before the quarter starts, or ASAP if the quarter already began. - Instructors review your accommodations
– They prepare materials, complete forms, or coordinate logistics as needed. - You and your instructor determine implementation as needed
– How each accommodation works may vary by class.
2. Communicate with instructors
Why communication matters
- Accommodations can look different in each course. Instructors may implement the same accommodation in different ways, so it’s important to know how it will work in your class. For example, one instructor may implement testing accommodations while having you take an exam in their classroom while another instructor may have you take your test at the DRS Testing Center.
- You can help instructors understand your needs. Accommodation letters don’t always include all the details. For example, if you have preferential seating, your instructor won’t know whether you need to sit near the front, near an exit, or in a quieter area unless you tell them. Also, while instructors make the final decision, sharing your preferences or concerns helps instructors make informed decisions about how to implement your accommodations.
Who starts the conversation?
Activating your accommodations begins the conversation by letting DRS know to send your instructors the Faculty Notification Letter (FNL). If your instructor does not reach out after the FNL is sent and you have questions about how your accommodations will be implemented, send a brief introductory email.
You can always reach out to your Access Coordinator using AC Connect for help with facilitating communication with an instructor. This includes situations in which an instructor is non-responsive as well as situations in which you are finding it hard to collaborate with the instructor.
Communication formats
Communicating with instructors can occur in a scheduled synchronous meeting, office hours, email, or other asynchronous channels. The level of implementation complexity, preferences of the instructor, and preferences of the student will inform the communication channel.
What to talk about
- How each accommodation will work in this specific course
- Your preferences for implementation
Note
You never need to disclose your diagnosis. Discussions should focus on how accommodations will be implemented.
If issues come up
- Communicate concerns to your instructor quickly
- Try to resolve the issue collaboratively
- Contact your Access Coordinator if the issue isn’t resolved
3. Adjust accommodations (if needed)
If your needs change or something isn’t working:
- Use the AC Connect form in myDRS to request changes or new accommodations.
- Submit any new documentation you have related to a new disability or access need.
- Your Access Coordinator will follow up with you.
FAQs
Non-traditional learning environments encompass instructional settings that are outside the classroom setting and/or located off the University campuses. Common examples are labs, study abroad, clinicals/practicums/clerkships/internships, dissertation/thesis, and research.
Accommodations approved for traditional (classroom-based) courses do not automatically apply to non-traditional learning environments. You should discuss any non-traditional accommodation needs during your Access Planning Meeting (APM), even if those experiences will happen in the future. If you did not discuss them in your APM, contact your Access Coordinator (AC) to talk about reasonable accommodations for your non-traditional learning environment.
In many cases, once accommodations are approved, DRS will generate a separate notice of accommodation letter to be sent to the person responsible for implementing accommodations in your non-traditional environment. Your Access Coordinator will let you know how the letter needs to be sent to the appropriate person. In some cases, you will be instructed to activate accommodations in myDRS as you would for traditional learning environments.
DRS cannot communicate with anyone on your behalf without your permission. If you want DRS to speak with someone outside the University regarding your accommodations, you must complete a Release of Information (ROI) form. Many providers also want their own ROI completed before they will talk to DRS. Please note that you do not need a signed ROI to bring someone to a meeting with you.
To take your exams at the DRS Testing Center, you must have completed all the steps to activate your accommodations and your instructor must have completed the Alternative Testing Agreement. Exams are scheduled through myDRS. For information on DRS Testing Center Locations, policies and procedures, scheduling timelines, and available supplies, please see our dedicated DRS Testing Center page.
Some accommodations require completion of additional steps after you activate them in myDRS. You can find links to these specific topics on your myDRS Dashboard after your accommodation requests have been submitted. You will be reminded of this via a message on your home screen. Additionally, we highly recommend that you familiarize yourself with our Accommodation Timelines and our information on using specific complex accommodations.
The best time to activate your accommodations is 5 weeks before the start of the quarter or two days after registering for a course (it can take up to 2 days after registering for your course to show up in myDRS).
For accommodations approved during the quarter, activations are processed on a first-come, first-served basis. Accommodations can be activated throughout the quarter but are not implemented retroactively.
Some accommodations require the completion of additional steps after you activate them in myDRS. We highly recommend that you familiarize yourself with our Accommodation Timelines and our information on using specific complex accommodations so you are aware of when these steps need to be completed.
