Testing Accommodations

Disabled students’ ability to demonstrate what they have learned is often compromised by traditional testing methods, such as in-class, timed exams.  To better assess all students’ learning without the need to treat some students differently, instructors are beginning to incorporate non-traditional assessment techniques, such as take-home exams, group projects, papers, into their courses.  Disability Resources staff is available to assist instructors in exploring alternative ways to assess what their students have learned that minimize the need for individual accommodations, such as extended time.

When timed, in-class, paper and pencil exams are a part of the curriculum, many disabled students may need test accommodations to effectively demonstrate their learning.  Typical  modifications, or test accommodations, include: extended time, use of a scribe, reader, computer or assistive technology.  Instructors can provide accommodations themselves within their classroom/academic department or can request that DRC administer their exams with accommodations. If Disability Resources administers exams for instructors, the following process of shared responsibility applies:

Instructor Responsibilities:

1. Receive student-generated notification that testing accommodations is a reasonable accommodation for each student.
2. Decide whether to administer tests with accommodations within the classroom/academic department or use the DRC testing accommodations process.
3. If planning to administer the exam within the department, contact Disability Resources for advice on appropriate delivery of accommodations to assure an effective accommodation and inform the student(s) that accommodations will be provided by the instructor.

OR, if using Disability Resources testing service:

1. Reply to the DRC testing staff when contacted to provide test administration instructions, including confirming test dates and specifying any special test considerations.
2. Make test dates available on the course syllabus or at least 8 days prior to the exam so that students can make timely requests for accommodations.
3. Assure delivery of the test to the DRC at least 24 hours (or 3 days for exams that need to be converted to electronic formats for student access) prior to the test time by:
   • e-mailing the test as an attachment to testing@email.arizona.edu
   • dropping the test off at the DRC (Highland Commons, room D231)
   • faxing the test to a secure location at 621-6729
   • as a last resort, sending the test to DRC in a sealed envelope with the student.
4. Provide written approval if student may test at the DRC at a time different than the regularly scheduled course time.
5. Reschedule a student’s exam (without penalty to the student) if the test was not made available to DRC in a timely manner. If the instructor would like Disability Resources to administer the rescheduled exam, appropriate notice must be provided.
6. Be prepared to pick up the exam from DRC if it needs to be graded immediately.

Disability Resource Center responsibilities:

1. Determine eligibility for specific test accommodations and reassess accommodations on student request. The University of Arizona is not obligated to approve a request for testing accommodations when the diagnostic data provided by the student does not establish it as a reasonable accommodation.
2. Provide a process for students to self-identify their relationship with Disability Resources and establish eligibility for testing accommodations
3. Orient the student to the on-line process for requesting testing accommodations, including the request deadline of one week prior to the exam.
4. Contact instructors to request test administration instructions.
5. Send an e-mail to course instructors prior to the scheduled exam to remind them to provide a copy of the exam to the DRC.
6. Assure that students test at the same time as the rest of the class unless their instructor has provided permission for an alternative test time/date.
7. Administer exams with accommodations and monitor student test time.
8. Monitor students during testing to protect against cheating; report any student suspected of cheating to the course instructor immediately.
9. Return completed tests to instructors within one business day of test administration. Include information on student's test time when the student substantially exceeds recommended test time.

Student Responsibilities:

1. Speak with a Disability Access Consultant at Disability Resources to discuss their disability-related need for testing accommodations.
2. Identify their affiliation with Disability Resources and plans to use testing accommodations to their instructors via the DRC on-line process as soon as possible at the beginning of the semester.
3. Make requests via the on-line process for test accommodations for each exam at least one week prior to the exam date or by the published deadline for finals. (DRC Student Link)
4. Provide DRC’s testing office with written permission from  their instructor if they intend to test at a time other than when the class ordinarily meets.
5. Remind instructors of their plans to test at the DRC a few days prior to the exam and remind the instructor to send a copy of the exam to the DRC.
6. Arrive at the DRC testing center on time for each exam.
7. Monitor their test time and complete the test by the time they are given when they receive their exams.
8. Report any problems to or request any changes in accommodations (including a request for additional time extension) from their Access Consultant.
9. Bring CatCard to each exam for identification