Requesting Academic Adjustments & Auxiliary Aids

Disability Services can loan FM listening systems and audio note taking software to students who have a documented need for them on a short term basis until the student obtains their own equipment.

Before borrowing equipment, the student will meet with a Disability Services staff member to determine the type of equipment needed and to discuss its use and care.

When checking out a device, the student will be asked to sign an "Equipment Loan" and "Recorded Lecture Agreement" form at Disability Services. Borrowed equipment must be returned at the end of the quarter in working order. Students are responsible for any damage due to improper use of the equipment.

In some situations, equipment can be borrowed for additional quarters per approval from Disability Services.

Students with a disability may qualify for early registration based on the criteria listed below:

• The student has a documented disability that requires room changes and/or physical accommodations.
• The student needs a sign language interpreter or real-time captioner.

All students with early registration will receive notification of their registration date from the registrar via SUOnline. If this does not occur, please contact the Registrar.

Students whose disabilities have a significant documented effect on learning a foreign language may request approval for an alternative option that satisfies the foreign language requirement. Substitution of global history and culture classes for the usual language sequence are the most common alternates approved. Upon approval, one of the Directors of Disability Services will send a letter to the Registrar’s Office explaining the language substitution accommodation.

To request a substitution, the student must meet with their academic advisor and complete a “Petition for Exception to Policy” form. Copies of this form are available at Disability Services.

Disability Services will create a Foreign Language Substitution (FLS) List each quarter.

Some students may be granted permission to audio record class lectures as an accommodation. Students with this accommodation may use their own recording device or check one out temporarily at Disability Services. Students planning on audio recording class lectures are encouraged to communicate this with their faculty prior to recording.

Disability Services can arrange with the Registrar’s Office and/or Facilities to change the location of a class or to provide accessible classroom furniture for students who have a documented need.

To ensure enrollment in courses which accommodate a student's need for a specific class time, location, or accessible classroom furniture the student may be approved for early registration. Students should contact a Disability Services staff member after registering for their courses, minimally 2-3 weeks prior to the start of the quarter, to begin this process.

Students approved for full-time equivalency must submit a request via myDS each quarter they are enrolled in fewer than 12 credits using the Faculty Notification Letter (FNL). After the request is received, a Disability Services staff member will notify the Financial Aid and Registrar’s Offices of the need and specify the amount of reduction for the requested quarter.  

Students who have a documented need can arrange to take fewer than 12 credits per quarter and be considered for institutional aid even though the enrollment is not full time. The aid will be prorated. Students need to understand that the amount of some kinds of financial aid varies in proportion to the credit load of the student. Therefore, since 10 credit hours is considered to be 3/4 of a full load (or 1/4 less than a full load), some portions of the aid package may be reduced by 1/4. For details on the specific financial aid effects of reducing course load, the student needs to consult with a financial aid counselor. 

Students with an approved accommodation for Notetaking Services may request a peer note taker. The notes provided by a peer note taker serve as a supplement to the notes the student takes during the class lectures. 

Requesting Notetaking Services

Students can follow these steps to request for Notetaking Services:

1. Log onto myDS.
2. Find the box, "Step 1: Select Class(es)”
3. Choose course(s)
4. Click "Step 2: Continue to Customize Your Accommodations"
5. Click on the checkbox next to Notetaking Services
6. Click "Submit Your Accommodation Request"
7. Confirm or cancel the request on myDS once class is in session

Video Instructions: How to Request Notetaking Services through myDS. Transcript of videos available upon request. 

Once the request is received:

• The Disability Services staff will arrange for a peer note taker.
• The professor may be asked to assist in recruiting a note taker.
• Alternatively, the student may choose to find their own peer note taker.
• Peer note takers are required to e-sign a Confidentiality Agreement through myDS.
• Lecture Notes may shared via email, myDS upload, or photocopied printouts.

Students should contact DS@seattleu.edu immediately when a change in status arises, such as dropping the class or switching sections. If the student receiving shared notes is absent for three or more classes, Notetaking Services may be discontinued. To discuss the reinstatement of services, the student must meet with a Disability Services staff member.

Interpreters or Captioners are provided for students with disabilities who require them in order to have effective access to classes. Technological alternatives may also be used when they provide effective access. Students should read the following procedures for interpreting and captioning services:

• Students will participate in early registration and send their Faculty Notification Letter (FNL) as soon as possible. Switching sections or making other schedule changes may cause delays services.
• Disability Services makes the decisions regarding the employment of interpreters and captioners. This decision incorporates the student’s needs and preferences. It is important that the students give immediate feedback to Disability Services Staff as the interpreter’s continued employment is contingent on satisfaction among all parties.
• All requests for additional interpreter service (e.g. events outside of normal class times) require at least 3 weeks' notification.
• The student should discuss specific expectations and needs with the interpreter or captioner.
• Any concerns or problems students have with an interpreter should be brought to the attention of Disability Services Staff. Every reasonable effort will be made to resolve the situation in a fair and timely manner.
• Students must provide the interpreter and Disability Services a minimum of 24 hours notice of any expected absence. If an illness or emergency prohibits the student from giving the interpreter timely notice, the student must notify Disability Services (DS@seattleu.edu or 206-296-5740) as soon as possible.
• If the student has not arrived by 15 minutes after a class session or event is scheduled to begin, the interpreter will leave and the student will be considered absent.
• After three absences by a student during the quarter, Disability Services will assume that the student has dropped the class and services will be discontinued. To discuss the reinstatement of services, the student must meet with one of the Directors of Disability Services.
• Interpreters are professionals working under a code of ethics. Students must respect this professional position.

E-text refers to an accommodation for students with a disability that prevents them from reading course materials in a traditional format. It is an accommodation approved through the Disability Services (DS) Office that allows the student to request for course materials in an alternative format.

Textbook in Alternative Format

Before a request for e-text is submitted, do a search. To do a search for textbooks in an accessible format: 

1. Find your Textbook list at the Campus Store.
2. Obtain the textbook in an alternative format: 
   • ‘Digital format ’ for purchase at the Campus Store or
   • ‘E-Textbook’ for purchase at VitalSource.com
   • Bookshare.org (username and password issued through DS)

NOTE: If the textbook is already available for purchase in an alternative format, no request is required on MyDS.

When to submit a request for an Alternative Format through MyDS

When the textbook is NOT available for purchase in an alternative format, submit a request through MyDS:

1. Log in to MyDS
2. Include e-text on your accommodation letter to your professor
3. Click Alternative Formats from My Dashboard
4. Enter in the textbook information: class, title, ISBN, author, publisher, year, etc.
5. Upload the receipt of hard copy (new or used) as proof of purchase for the publisher

The student will be notified once the electronic file is ready for download.

Videos: How to Search for Textbooks in an Accessible Format and When and How to Request E-text Through MyDS. Transcript of videos available upon request. 

Students who use e-text may need a “text-to-speech” software program in order to listen to their textbooks. See the Alternative Media Software Guide

Students with questions about the process can call (206) 398-4116 or email the Media and Access Technology Coordinator.