Distance Learning Accommodations

CSDS strives to implement accommodations for online students in a manner consistent with that of resident students. Requests for accommodation from online students follow the same procedures as resident students.

Students who wish to register with CSDS for the purpose of requesting academic accommodations may do so by following the procedure below.

1. Consult the documentation requirements and submit documentation to CSDS in a timely manner. Once you enroll into a distance learning program, you may proceed with submitting your documentation.
2. CSDS will confirm via email that your documentation has been received, and will include instructions for scheduling an appointment with a Counselor. For online students, appointments can occur via Microsoft Teams virtual meeting.
3. Prior to your appointment, your Counselor will review your documentation and notify you via email whether additional documentation is needed and if you have to complete and submit electronically any relevant documentation.
4. At the agreed upon date and time, your Counselor will initiate the Microsoft Teams meeting, and it is best if you can plan to be in a quiet, uninterrupted location during the appointment. The impact of your disability will be discussed and reasonable accommodations will be discussed, then relevant policies and procedures will be reviewed.
5. At the conclusion of the appointment, you will be instructed to complete and submit electronically any relevant documentation related to your services. Once these completed documents are received, CSDS will review your academic accommodations request to decide on your accommodations.
6. After your appointment, you will be provided a Student Accommodation Memo to you via email with your approved accommodations and/or a phone call and email with any accommodations denied pending further information or documentation.
7. It is your responsibility to forward a copy of the Student Accommodation Memo to your instructor(s) and discuss the implementation of accommodations. Online students should follow protocols for contacting instructors based on information provided in the syllabus regarding email or phone communication, virtual office hours, etc. Accommodations are not retroactive and cannot be implemented until instructors have received an accommodation notice and implementation has been discussed.
8. To request classroom accommodations for subsequent semesters of course enrollment in distance education courses, you should complete the Semester Request on the Student Portal or make the request to your counselor approximately 1 to 2 weeks prior to the start of the academic term.

Any questions or concerns regarding accommodations should be discussed promptly with your Counselor, who is available via phone or email.