Accommodations Decisions

When you request an accommodation, Student Disability Services reviews it individually to find the right support for you.

The College is responsible under federal law for ensuring access to its programs, and SDS has the training, credentials, and experience to determine what counts as a reasonable accommodation that provides equal access.

Our goal is to give you equal access to your education and to campus living while keeping the core standards of your program and the practical realities of housing in mind.

This page explains how academic and housing decisions are made and what to expect.

Academic Accommodations

Academic accommodations are put in place to remove barriers, so you have equal access to demonstrate your knowledge. For example, a student with a processing disorder might receive extended time (1.5x) on tests and quizzes; the time barrier is adjusted so the student has a fair opportunity to show what they know. Accommodations are designed to provide equal access, not to guarantee a particular outcome.

When you request an academic accommodation, we review it against the essential requirements of your program, the skills and knowledge every student must demonstrate to meet its academic standards. An accommodation adjusts how you meet those requirements; it does not lower or waive the requirements themselves.

What to Expect

Our goal is an accommodation that gives you fair access while keeping your program's academic standards intact. Some adjustments generally fall outside what can be approved. These typically include:

• Unlimited time on tests.

• Breaks during tests.

• A reduced number of items on tests or assignments.

• Less rigorous content on tests or assignment items.

• Other changes to the essential requirements of a class or program.

Every request is discussed with you through an interactive process, so we can understand your needs and look for adjustments that support your access while preserving your program's standards.

Good to Know

Accommodations take effect from the date your Accommodation Plan is issued and going forward. They are not applied retroactively, so we encourage you to start the process as early as you can.

Housing Accommodations

If you have a disability-related need connected to housing, we review your request individually, based on your documented need and what the residence halls can reasonably provide. In many cases, the College can offer support that addresses a concern without a full housing accommodation. Here are some common situations and the kinds of help available, so you know what to expect.

Common Situations and Available Support

Allergies or asthma

Many students arrive with allergies or asthma, or develop them in a new environment. While these are rarely grounds for a housing exemption on their own, since they generally do not prevent living and participating in the residence halls, the College can often help in more severe cases with options like year-round air conditioning or an air purifier (purchased by the student), alongside any treatment your physician prescribes. We cannot eliminate every symptom, but we will do what we can to help in severe cases.

Anxiety

The move to college can be a stressful transition, and some level of anxiety is common. Our Residence Life staff is trained to support students through it, and campus resources like the Counseling Center and the Wellness Center are available to help. When anxiety rising to the level of a disability, Student Disability Services works with students on an individual basis to determine appropriate reasonable accommodations and connect them with relevant campus resources and support service. Our residence life staff will point you toward the support that fits.

Food or dining needs

Dining Services offers a wide range of options, including low-fat, vegetarian, and allergy-conscious choices (including gluten and dairy), and can almost always accommodate special diets and food allergies. For details, contact the Food Services Director.

A need for more privacy

While adjusting to a shared living environment can be challenging, requests for additional privacy based on comfort or adjustment concerns alone are not typically considered disability accommodations. If a student has a documented disability-related medical need for greater privacy, Student Disability Services will evaluate the request on an individual basis to determine whether a reasonable accommodation is appropriate. Housing accommodations are based on availability.

Good to Know

You can request a housing accommodation at any time, and priority deadlines for placement are listed on the Registration Process page.

Appeal a Decision

We use the documentation you provide as a basis for decisions, but we are not required to match a provider's recommendation exactly. You have the right to appeal a decision made by Student Disability Services if you provide additional documentation or information that was not previously submitted. Appeals may not be filed solely because you disagree with the original decision. Requests for reconsideration must be submitted in writing within five (5) working days to:

Dr. Lauren Albaum
Vice President for Student Life
lalbaum@flsouthern.edu