Division of Campus Life
Student Accessibility Services

Academic Accommodations

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Academic Accommodations

Academic accommodations are intended to provide equitable access to courses, exams, course materials, and other academic experiences at Brown.

Once students are approved by Student Accessibility Services (SAS) for academic accommodations, they may choose to use their approved accommodations in as many or as few courses as they wish. Students must submit a Semester Request in Accommodate for each semester in which they plan to use academic accommodations.

Common Academic Accommodations

  •     Extended time for examinations
  •     Exams in a reduced-distraction space
  •     Use of a secure SAS laptop (USB and networking disabled)
  •     Use of a note taker
  •     Permission to tape-record lectures
  •     Materials in alternate format
  •     Reduced course load with prorated tuition, when appropriate
  •     Extensions on assignments
  •     Use of assistive technology

Requesting Academic Accommodations

Students who are not currently approved for academic accommodations should submit an accommodation request through Accommodate. SAS will review the request and follow up about next steps, which may include documentation, a meeting with a SAS Accommodation Specialist, or additional information.

Students who are approved for academic accommodations should use Accommodate each semester to submit a Semester Request and send accommodation letters to faculty for each course where accommodations are needed. Faculty will receive an email notification when an accommodation letter is available to review in Accommodate.

Students are encouraged to submit Semester Requests and send accommodation letters early in the semester. Accommodations are not retroactive, and some accommodations take time to coordinate. For exam-related accommodations, students should communicate with faculty and SAS as early as possible and at least two weeks before the accommodation is needed.

Communicating with Faculty

Students should communicate with faculty about how approved accommodations will be implemented in each course. Students may include a short message when sending an accommodation letter or may follow up with faculty by email, Zoom, or an in-person meeting.

Students do not need to disclose their diagnosis, disability, or medical information when communicating with faculty. Faculty may ask questions about how to implement approved accommodations, but students have a right to privacy.

Accommodation Letters

Students approved for academic accommodations use Accommodate to send accommodation letters to faculty each semester. A new Semester Request is required each semester in which a student plans to use academic accommodations.

In Accommodate, students can request letters for the courses where accommodations are needed. Students should make sure to request letters for the main section of each course, when applicable. Students may also download a PDF copy of an accommodation letter for their records or to share directly with faculty.

Students who have approved academic accommodations but are unable to access Accommodate should contact SAS as early as possible. Late requests may affect the timely implementation of accommodations.

Contact SAS

Students who are not currently approved for this accommodation, but want to explore the academic accommodation request process should contact SAS.

Assistive Technology

Visit the assistive technology page to learn more about available equipment, spaces and the borrowing procedures.

Assistive Technology