Accommodations Glossary

Classroom Accommodations

Accessible Furniture

Accessible furniture may be provided to students for whom standard classroom desks and chairs are inaccessible due to a physical disability or pregnancy-related disability. Students must request furniture from DSS by completing an Accessible Furniture Request Form from their Disability Management Specialist, for specific classrooms each semester. We recommend requesting accessible furniture prior to the start of class, if possible, as it may take a few weeks for the furniture to be delivered to each classroom. DSS will arrange for a labelled chair, table, or adjustable height table to be placed in the classroom by facilities. DSS Furniture should not be moved throughout the duration of the semester; if there is any concern with placement of the DSS Furniture, please contact DSS. If you notice DSS Furniture is missing or has been moved, please contact DSS.

Extended Deadlines

Students with chronic, episodic, and unpredictable disabilities may experience acute medical episodes that affect their ability to meet each assignment deadline. This accommodation is designed to help a student receive a fair amount of time after a deadline to complete an assignment and mitigate the impact of their disability. The student will utilize this accommodation, once approved by DSS, by requesting faculty to provide up to an additional 48 hours (excluding exams, group projects, presentations and labs) to complete and submit assignments.

Medical Absence

Students with chronic, episodic, and unpredictable disabilities may experience acute and unpredictable medical episodes that may result in a period of incapacity which would make it unfeasible for the student to attend class. This accommodation provides the student with impunity for a reasonable number of absences during a semester and mitigate the impact of their disability. This accommodation includes 1 additional absence for courses that meet once a week and 2 additional absences for all other courses without penalty: excluding exams and finals. Please note that the student does not need to provide any additional documentation to excuse these absences, as these absences have been determined to be necessary accommodations through the interactive process with the student's Disability Management Specialist. Students who have been approved for Medical Absences are expected to keep up with the overall volume of coursework, including course content, lecture notes, and information presented during class.

Short Breaks

Students are permitted to take short breaks from the classroom. Students may quietly excuse themselves, leave the classroom or virtual setting, and are expected to return to class.

Course Access

Audio Recording of Lecture

In accordance with federal, state law, and UPS 330.230 audio recording and transcription of course content may be permitted for students with disabilities. DSS will authorize students to audio record lectures using the device of their choice including, but not limited to personal smart phones, laptops, tablets, audio recorders, and/or notetaking software provided by DSS. All students who are eligible for audio recordings of lectures as an accommodation are required to sign the Audio Recording Agreement Form. Instructors may feel that it is inappropriate to record certain class discussions; please reach out to the student's Disability Management Specialist to discuss any concerns with the use of this approved Audio Recording Accommodation in your classroom.

Food or Drink in Class

A student’s disability may require them to have access to food or drink during class; students are permitted to have access to their own food or drink regardless of classroom policy. Within selected spaces, students may not have access to food or drink due to safety regulations of the space, in those instances students may have to leave the physical space to consume the food or drink.

Laptop/Tablet for Notetaking (Provided by Student)

Students are permitted to use a personal laptop or tablet for notetaking purposes in the classroom.

Participation Assistant (PA) (Provided by DSS)

A PA may be hired by DSS to assist a student, in meeting curriculum requirements and fully participate in the academic experience. The PA may be a student in the course, a TA, or a student assistant from DSS or the academic department. The PA may assist the student in performing course-related tasks which the student may not be able to undertake themselves due to the impact of their disability. The PA will be provided with a chair nearby the student to allow for access. The student and PA will need to sign the Participation Assistant Form.

Personal Care Assistant (PCA) (Provided by Student)

A PCA accompanies and assists the student, ensuring the student can access the campus and classroom environment. A PCA may assist the student in performing classroom related tasks such as setting up their desk or manipulating an object. The PCA should only be in the classroom when needed for an essential classroom task or personal care function. The PCA is not an active participant in the course and should not serve as a notetaker. The PCA will be provided with a chair nearby to allow access. The student and the PCA will need to sign the Personal Care Assistant Agreement.

Provide All Course Materials, PowerPoints, and Handouts Prior to Class

Professors are to submit all course materials used during lecture or class activity to DSS prior to the start of the class for remediation. It is essential that these materials are sent at least 1-2 weeks in advance to allow for sufficient time for remediation.

Provide PowerPoints or Lecture Notes to Student When Available

Professors will provide the student with all PowerPoints or lecture notes for each class meeting.

Service Dog

A Service Dog is individually trained to do work or perform a task for an individual with a disability - including physical, sensory, or other disability. The work or tasks performed by the Service Dog must be directly related to the individual’s disability. A Service Dog identification vest or harness is not required. Title II of ADA, mandates accessibility for public entities which includes public universities, thus Service Dogs are permitted to accompany the disabled person in any location that is generally open to the public.

Smart Pen

Livescribe Smartpen matches live recorded audio to handwritten notes taken on specialized paper. Both audio and notes can be converted into electronic versions and accessed through desktop software allowing students to record lecture notes for later review.

Testing Accommodations

Accessible Formats for Exams
DSS will reformat exams to be more accessible for students. Reformatting can include, but is not limited to braille, enlarged font, and various document formats (i.e. Kurzweil, RTF) that are compatible with text-to-speech software.

Alternate Testing Location
DSS will provide a reduced distraction testing location outside of the classroom for all in-person quizzes and exams. Though usually in the DSS testing center, it may be in other rooms assigned by DSS across campus when necessary. Any request to take an exam with our office must be made at least 3 business days in advance, and final exams must be booked 4 weeks prior to finals week. Any exam accommodation requested less than the advised timeframe will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis and the University may be unable to provide proper exam arrangements. Students who arrive late to exams are subject to the DSS late policy.

Audio Exams
Audio Exams are provided to students that demonstrate a need for paper exams to be converted into audio formats so that students may respond to the questions. For online exams, Canvas exams are compatible with accessible technology accommodation.

Computer/Word Processor for Essay Exams (Provided by DSS)
The accommodation is provided for students on a case-by-case basis. The student will be able to report their responses directly onto a word document or other word processor which will be printed out and submitted with the student’s exam. This accommodation can be used for essay-based responses.

Electronic/BRF Braille Exams
Students are provided with an accessible copy of an exam in either electronic or braille format. The utilization of this accommodation requires extensive collaboration between DSS and academic faculty. Students are encouraged to submit exams as soon as possible and professors are encouraged to submit exams as far in advance as possible so that the DSS office can convert exams into the proper format. The DSS office will work with faculty to ensure that exams are converted in a timely manner to meet students’ needs.

Extended Time for Exams
Students who have disability-related barriers that impact their ability to complete timed exams are provided extended time for exams. The amount of additional time is determined on a case-by-case basis. Total exam time is calculated by multiplying the amount of time professor has given all students to complete the exam by the amount of extension, typically 1.5x or 2.0x. For example, if the time allotted for the exam is 1 hour, a student with 1.5x extended time on exams would receive 1 hour and 30 minutes for their exam. For assistance determining time, you can use an exam calculator. This accommodation does not apply to "take-home" exams and multi-day exams. Online exams must be extended by the instructor before the exam has begun.

Food or Drink During Quiz or Exam
A student’s disability may require them to have access to food or drink during exams; students are permitted to have access to their own food or drink during assessment periods, regardless of classroom and/or DSS testing space policy. Within selected spaces, students may not have access to food or drink due to safety regulations of the space, in those instances students may have to leave the physical space to consume the food or drink.

Memory Aids for Exams
Some students may experience acute and severe deficits in their working memory due to disability. Memory aids provide support to a student’s memory giving them a remindful queue of the content being asked about in an exam. The memory aid is not to function as a "cheat sheet” and requires faculty collaboration and approval before being allowed on the exam. Upon accommodation approval, students and professors will be provided with Memory Cue Card Guidelines by DSS.

Private Room
DSS will provide a private space and facilitate proctoring for all in-person quizzes and exams. Any request to take an exam with our office must be made at least 3 business days in advance and final exams must be booked 4 weeks prior to finals week. Any exam accommodation requested less than the advised timeframe will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis and the University may be unable to provide proper exam arrangements. Students who arrive late to exams are subject to the DSS late policy.

Restroom Breaks During Quiz or Exam

Restroom breaks during quizzes or exams will be permitted to students who demonstrate a need for intermittent breaks during their exams. DSS is committed to maintaining the test taking integrity of all exams that take place in our office. DSS exam proctors will ensure all exam materials and personal belongings remain at the testing center during breaks. DSS does not pause the allotted time during these breaks.

Scantron Assistance Upon Completing Exam (Provided by DSS)
Once an exam has been completed, the responses provided will be transferred over to a scantron by a DSS staff member before the exam is returned to the professor.

Screen Magnification for Exams
Screen magnification for exams will be provided to students who demonstrate a need for a screen magnifier during their exams. This accommodation uses software that will magnify content on the screen. For online exams, Canvas exams are compatible with accessible technology accommodation.

Screen Reader for Exams
Screen Readers will be provided to students that demonstrate a need for technological assistance navigating websites, electronic exams, and images. Screen Readers audibly describe page content. For online exams, Canvas exams are compatible with accessible technology accommodation.

Voice Dictation Software for Exams (Requires Private Testing Room)
Voice dictation software will be provided to students who demonstrate a need for technological assistance to ensure access, this software will provide students speech-to-text software to answer questions on an exam.

Accessible Format and Alternative Media

Accessible Format refers to any presentation of information that allows people with disabilities to perceive, understand, navigate, and interact with content effectively, while Alternative Media is the specific format used.

CSUF's Faculty Development Center has several guides on how to create accessible course materials. 

Professors are encouraged to submit all course materials and exams in advance to ensure all materials are converted to the accessible format. 

Braille
Braille is a tactile writing system used by blind or visually impaired people. Textbooks, course materials, and exams are converted to braille; professors are encouraged to submit all course materials and exams in advance to ensure all materials are converted to the accessible format.

Enlarged Text

DSS will reformat texts for students who require printed course materials to be enlarged.

Kurzweil 3000

Kurzweil 3000 is a text-to-speech software, it is compatible with Canvas and digital formats of paper-based exams.

PDF
An accessible PDF is a document designed to be easily read and navigated by everyone, including individuals with disabilities.

RTF

Rich Text Format (RTF), is a file format that enables exchanging text files between different word processing programs.

Video Magnifier (CCTV)

CCTV is provided for students that require magnification and/or contrast of the objects being viewed. DSS will provide CCTV hardware if a student has been provided testing accommodations and takes the exam at the DSS office.

Deaf/Hard of Hearing Accommodations

American Sign Language (ASL) Interpreter

An ASL interpreter is provided to students that are Deaf or have profound hearing impairment. The ASL interpreter will provide communication between the professor or any other classmates, and the student. DSS will provide appropriate furniture for the ASL interpreter.

Assisted Listening Device

An assisted listening device is provided to students that require assistive technology such as a device or application that will amplify sound. Students will have options based upon their needs, and devices will be provided on a case-by-case basis.

Closed Captioning of All Video Content
Closed Captioning of All Video Content will be provided for students with moderate to profound hearing impairment. Closed captions is a text version of a video’s audio that is displayed in real-time as the video plays - captions describe dialogue, music and sound effects in video.

Real-Time Captioning (CART)

Real -Time Captioning (CART) is provided to students with moderate to low hearing impairment. CART provides real time captioning for spoken words into print or text.

Housing Accommodations

Accessible Technology (Emergency Alert)
Accessible emergency technology ensures that individuals with disabilities can receive critical safety information during emergencies.

Dining Hall Accommodations

Typically, only in situations where Titan Dining cannot reasonably accommodate a student’s documented disability-related needs will a release from the meal plan requirement be considered reasonable accommodation.

Before requesting a dining accommodation, students should begin with a conversation with Titan Eats and the Executive Chef to discuss their dietary needs. Additional information about Titan Eats can be found on the TITANeats website.

If Titan Eats is unable to accommodate a student’s disability-related needs, they will advise the student to begin the DSS Accommodation process. Titan Eats and DSS will consult regarding your dining accommodation requests.

ESA in Residence

An Emotional Support Animal (ESA) is an animal that is not trained to perform specific tasks directly related to an individual's disability but does provide emotional support which alleviates one or more identified symptoms or effects of a person's disability. An emotional support animal must have current vaccinations, be under control and be maintained in a manner that considers the health and hygiene of the animal and those who come in contact with the animal. Dogs and cats, for example, must be housebroken and well-groomed. Emotional support animals must also meet additional requirements as specified in an approval allowing the emotional support animal in university housing. Emotional support animals are not protected by the ADA.

Ground Floor Room
Students that demonstrate a need for placement in a ground floor housing unit.

Medical Singles

Please be advised that medical singles as an accommodation is reserved for individuals who document substantial needs and for whom living with a roommate is not possible.

Requests for a single room as an accommodation based solely on a desire to have a “quiet, undisturbed place to study or decompress” will not be granted. By virtue of the shared facilities, resources, and number of people living under one roof, it is not reasonable to assume that having a private room would provide a quiet, distraction-free space to any appreciable degree beyond living in a standard double room. Alternative options and spaces in Housing and Residential Engagement and within CSUF can assist with quiet and private spaces as needed.

Personal Care Assistant in Residence

Personal Care Attendant (PCA) will live or visit residence for care of student related to medical necessity or needs on a daily basis. The PCA is required to maintain the same policies and rules of CSUF. Students and PCAs must sign a PCA Agreement.

Semi-Private Bathroom

Students that demonstrate a need for placement with a semi-private restroom.

Stability Equipment
These devices, tools, or modifications are designed to help individuals who face mobility challenges.

Wheelchair Accessible Room

RStudents that require placement in wheelchair accessible living space to accommodate mobility needs.