How to Request an Accommodation
A Five-Step Approach to Meeting with Your Professor
This guide is designed to help you during the initial meeting with your professor to present your request for academic accommodation.
Your accommodation letter is designed to inform the professor of a diagnosed disability as determined by a qualified medical professional. This diagnosis indicates that you may have a barrier to successfully completing your education and that the requested accommodation is designed to overcome this difficulty. It is not necessary to self-identify your particular disability, as the documentation process specifies your accommodation needs without identifying an underlying condition.
How to present the letter in five steps
By following these steps, you can be more certain of a positive reception when approaching a professor for an academic accommodation.
- For your accommodation to be most effective, the letter should serve as a starting point for dialogue between you and your professor. The letter forms the legal justification for your request; however, its implementation is open to negotiation.
For example: Your accommodation entitles you to have exams read to you. The professor feels that she should be the one to do this. You, on the other hand, are intimidated by this, and request that a TA, or someone from the department, such as a secretary, read the exam. Unless you discuss this with the professor, she will not be aware of your feelings, and may not understand your reaction during the first examination.
- Make an appointment to see the professor to present your letter and discuss its implications.
This should be done within the first week of class - office hours should be posted and student visits are generally light during this time. Early discussion of your needs demonstrates your commitment to success in the class.
- Understand your Accommodation.
Be prepared to explain why you have requested the change in standard procedure. Knowledge of your disability and how it may affect academic performance demonstrates that you know your needs and understand your strengths. Remember though, you do not need to disclose what your disability is.
- Be firm but open.
Most professors are eager to help you succeed. However, they may never have had a student with your particular disability. Be prepared to listen to their concerns and answer them appropriately. Remember, you have the right to an accommodation, but this doesn t give you the right to be demanding or abusive.
- Know when to retreat
If the conversation isn t going well, try to exit the interview as gracefully as possible. Quietly state your need for an accommodation. Do not let yourself become angry or hostile during the interview, as this will damage your prospects for a positive in-class experience. Sometimes failures in communication occur. We at the ADA center are here to help you - sometimes this means mediating between a student and professor to ensure that all needs are met and lines of communication remain unblocked.
If you are not comfortable with this five-step approach, contact the ADA Center. Please call 282-3599 if you have any questions or want additional information.