Types of Accommodations

Reasonable accommodations are modifications or adjustments to the tasks, environment, or to the way things are usually done that enable students with disabilities to have equal access/opportunity to attend and participate in any University academic program, activity, facility, event, etc.

Our office can provide a variety of accommodations to help provide equal access to students with disabilities. Accommodations are always determined on an individualized basis; based on the student and the disability-related barriers they encounter in the University environment. Accommodations are determined by engaging in our holistic and interactive accommodations process.

While there is not an exhaustive list of accommodations that are available, we have provided some examples of some accommodations that are commonly used by our students. If there is an accommodation that you think would remove a disability-related access barrier you encounter, please connect with us to discuss this.

For more information about accommodations, please connect with us to make an appointment with an accommodation specialist.

Testing

Testing accommodations can be provided when students encounter disability-related barriers that impact them during exams and quizzes. Some examples of testing accommodations we can provide include:  

  • Extended time 
  • Reduced distraction testing environment 
  • Breaks during exams 
  • Use of assistive technology on exams (such as text-to-speech or dictation software) 
  • Assistance filling in scantron 
Accessible Text

Accessible text accommodations can be provided when students experience disability-related barriers that impact their ability to read or their reading fluency. We work closely with the Assistive Technology Resource Center to provide students with assistive technology and textbooks in a format that is accessible to them. The assistive technology that is provided to students can assist with reading by synthesizing text into an auditory output. 

 

Additionally, if needed, printed materials can be provided in Braille or large print 

Note-Taking

Note-taking accommodations are provided when students encounter disability-related barriers that prevent them from accessing course information or taking notes.  

 

Our primary method for providing note-taking support is using assistive technology. We have a close partnership with the Assistive Technology Resource Center which can provide different kinds of technology to assist students with their note-taking. 

 

In addition to the use of assistive technology, some examples of note-taking accommodations we can provide include:  

  • Ability to digitally record the lecture audio 
  • Ability to take pictures of the board 
  • Access to copies of lecture slides 
Sign Language Interpreters

For students who are Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing, there are a few different accommodations that can be used to assist with providing access to auditory information. 

 
Sign Language Interpreters

American Sign Language Interpreters can be provided for students who are Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing to provide access to auditory information and to assist with facilitating communication.  

 

Interpreters are available to interpret classes and class-related activities.  Interpreters can also be requested to interpret extracurricular activities or campus events.  

 

The SDC employs sign language interpreters who are qualified to interpret college-level courses. All SDC interpreters are graduates of a recognized interpreter preparation program and have the skills necessary to interpret a college-level curriculum.  All interpreters are expected to abide by the Interpreters Code of Conduct while employed with the university. 

 
Course Transcribers

For students who do not know American Sign Language, course transcribers may be an option. CTs attend class along with a student and provide students a comprehensive set of notes from class. These notes are not full transcripts, rather a set of meaning for meaning notes. 

 
Captioning

Closed captions can be provided for videos that are used in class or that are posted on the course Canvas page or website.  

 
FM Systems

FM systems can be provided for students with less severe hearing loss. An FM system can be used to help amplify the voice of the instructor.  

Captions and Audio Descriptions
Captions

Captioning of videos can be provided for students who cannot access auditory information presented in videos. Closed captions can be provided for videos that are used in class or that are posted on the course Canvas page or website. 

 
Audio Descriptions

Audio descriptions can be provided for students who cannot access visual information in class or in videos. Audio descriptions are verbal descriptions of visual information.  

Housing
Housing Accommodations

Housing accommodations can be provided when students anticipate or encounter disability-related barriers that impact their ability to live in university-managed residence halls and apartments. Some examples of housing accommodations we can provide include:  

  • Wheelchair accessible room and bathroom 
  • Single room 
  • Suite style bathroom 
  • Climate control 
  • Strobe fire alarm or doorbell  
  • Building access to personal care attendants  
  • Ability to have an Emotional Support Animal live in residence halls/apartments 

 

Housing Exemption

CSU requires that all newly admitted first-year students and transfer students with fewer than 15 post-high school credits, who are single, under 21-years-old, and not living with their parents in the Fort Collins area; live in the University residence halls for the first two consecutive semesters of their attendance.  

 

If a student anticipates experiencing disability-related barriers with university-managed housing and wishes to live off campus during their first two semesters, they can request a housing exemption. Our office works collaboratively with University Housing to provide this accommodation to students.  

Dining

The campus dining centers provide a variety of dining options that are inclusive to a wide range of dietary restrictions and preferences. Additionally, Housing and Dining Services has a registered nutritionist on staff who can work with students to identify what dining options will be best supportive of their diets.  

 

Students are encouraged to explore the nutrition and dietary options website and speak with the HDS staff nutritionist before making a request for any dining accommodation. 

 

Some examples of dining accommodations we can provide include: 

  • Reduction in meal plan (number of meals a week)  
  • Meal plan exemption  
Attendance Flexibility

When registering for residential in-person classes, students are expected to attend class in-person on a regular basis consistent with the course schedule. However, if students encounter disability-related barriers that cause them to miss class on occasion, they can request attendance flexibility accommodations.   

 

Attendance flexibility accommodations can provide flexibility with course attendance policies by providing flexibility of at least 20% of total course attendance.  

 

Some examples of what this flexibility looks like for a 16-week semester course that meets:  

  • once a week: 3 absences 
  • twice a week: 6 absences  
  • three times a week: 9 absences 
  • four times a week: 12 absences 
  • five day: 15 absences 
Deadline Flexibility

For students who experience disability-related barriers that impact their ability to turning in assignments on time, accommodation can be provided for short extensions of deadlines.  

Mobility

CSU is a large and historic campus. Over the years campus buildings have been constructed under a variety of guiding principles and design characteristics. As a result, the physical accessibility of campus may vary from building to building. 

 

Classrooms and administrative buildings, in general, provide physical access at least to the first floor. Most will provide access to other levels through elevators. While not all locations may be physically accessible to someone using a mobility device, all programs and services will be made accessible to a person either through temporary relocation (e.g., changing the assigned classroom) or by providing a service in an alternate accessible location (e.g., meeting an advisor on the first floor). 

Assistance Animals

For comprehensive information about assistance animals, please visit our Support Animals webpage.  

 

Service Animals

Service animals are dogs or miniature horses that have been specifically trained to perform an active task for a person with a disability. Service animals are allowed on campus and in most campus environments without approval.  

 

Service animals are expected to be well behaved and under the control of their handler at all times.  

 

While not required, students with service animals are strongly encouraged to connect with our office and let us know about their service animal. This can be beneficial for the student because our staff can assist students with navigating campus with a service animal.  

 

Emotional Support Animals

Emotional Support Animals are commonly domesticated animals that provide comfort or emotional support to a person with a disability. ESAs are only allowed in university-managed housing with prior approval from the Student Disability Center or Office of Equal Opportunity.  

Accommodations We Cannot Provide

While we do our best to provide the accommodations that students need to have equal access to the University environment, there are some things that cannot be provided as accommodations. Our responsibility is to provide reasonable accommodations that do not lower standards or constitute a fundamental alteration to a class or program. Additionally, we do not provide personal services. Some examples of accommodations/services that we cannot provide include:  

  • Changes in course structure or delivery method 
  • Excused or shortened assignments  
  • Lowered expectations on grading, participation, workload, etc. 
  • Transportation 
  • Tutoring  
  • Specific roommates in university-managed housing 
  • Using notes on exams/quizzes