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Student Disability Services

Examples of Disability Accommodations: Faculty Guide

Student Disability Services at the University of Arkansas – Fort Smith works with qualified students with disabilities to determine reasonable accommodations on a case-by-case basis. When a student in your course has an approved accommodation, SDS will notify you and outline what implementation looks like for that specific need.

The examples below are common types of accommodations available through SDS. This list is not all-inclusive, and not every accommodation is appropriate for every student, course, program, or setting.

Testing Accommodations

Testing accommodations may help provide equal access during quizzes, exams, and other timed assessments. Examples include:

  • Extended testing time, such as 50% or 100% additional time.
  • A reduced-distraction or private testing location, such as the SDS testing room.
  • Use of a screen reader or human reader.
  • Use of speech-to-text software or a human scribe.
  • Large-print tests.
  • Brailed tests.
  • Permission to avoid scantron answer sheets when appropriate.
  • SDS-proctored testing instead of virtual proctoring when approved.
  • Earplugs or noise-canceling headphones.
  • A hand fidget device.
  • Use of a calculator or approved accessible calculator, unless the purpose of the exam is to assess skills that must be measured without one.
  • Use of a spelling dictionary when appropriate.

Classroom Accommodations

Classroom accommodations may support a student's access to lectures, discussions, course materials, and the learning environment. Examples include:

  • Permission to audio record lectures using a personal recording device, smart pen, phone, or other approved device.
  • Access to lecture notes, PowerPoint slides, outlines, or other instructional materials in advance when appropriate.
  • Large-print materials.
  • Use of a calculator when appropriate.
  • Use of spellcheck or a dictionary when appropriate.
  • Use of a hand fidget device.
  • Use of a computer or electronic device for notetaking.
  • Preferential seating, such as sitting near the front of the room or close to an exit.
  • Permission to briefly step out of class due to a disability-related need, with the expectation that you will return.
  • An accessible desk, table, or chair.
  • Flexibility for occasional disability-related absences when approved, with the expectation that you will notify your instructor.
  • Enlargement software or an enlargement device.
  • Handouts in a digital format.
  • A peer notetaker arranged by SDS.
  • A sign language interpreter.
  • An assistive listening device.
  • Captioned videos.
  • Access to food or water when needed for a disability-related reason.
  • Brailed handouts.

Course Materials and Assistive Technology

Some accommodations support a student's access to textbooks, handouts, digital materials, and other course content. Examples include:

  • Electronic books.
  • Brailed books.
  • Screen-reader access.
  • Speech-to-text software.
  • Digital handouts or accessible electronic documents.
  • Enlargement software or devices.
  • Assistive technology used to access course materials.

Housing Accommodations

Some students may need accommodations related to university housing. Examples include:

  • A private room.
  • A private bathroom.
  • A first-floor room.
  • Approved personal equipment or furniture.
  • An approved Emotional Support Animal (ESA).
  • A service animal, when applicable.

For more information, review the Service Animals and Assistance Animals page.

How Accommodations Are Determined

Student accommodations are determined through the Student Disability Services process. SDS reviews each request individually and considers the student's disability-related needs, documentation, requested accommodations, and the essential requirements of your course, program, service, or activity.

Reasonable accommodations are intended to provide equal access. They do not change essential course or program requirements or lower academic standards.

Frequently Asked Questions

Students may be approved for accommodations across testing, classroom, course materials, assistive technology, and housing. Common examples include extended testing time, preferential seating, screen readers, and audio recording permissions. Each accommodation is determined individually by SDS.

SDS notifies you directly, typically through an accommodation letter or official communication, once a student's accommodations are approved. The notification outlines what the accommodation is and what you're responsible for implementing.

Contact SDS directly. Staff can clarify how an accommodation applies to your specific course, assignment, or testing format, and can help you implement it appropriately.

No. Approved accommodations are determined by SDS based on documentation and legal requirements under Section 504 and the ADA. If you have concerns about how an accommodation affects the essential requirements of your course, raise them with SDS rather than modifying or denying the accommodation independently.

Students will contact SDS to arrange their tests. They are required to notify you when they have scheduled their test.

To ask about implementing a student's accommodation or to learn more about the SDS process, email Student Disability Services at  ADAFREEuafs or call 479-788-7577.