Campus Compass Handout
Campus Compass
Navigating College Accommodations
REF: SECTION 504 & ADA
Transitioning to Higher Ed
In college, the legal landscape shifts from IDEA (success-oriented) to the ADA and Section 504 (access-oriented). While the Department of Education ensures non-discrimination, students must self-identify and request "reasonable accommodations" through their institution's Disability Services Office (DSO).
Learning Disabilities
Includes: Dyslexia, Dyscalculia, Dysgraphia, Auditory Processing
Testing Accommodations
- Extended time (1.5x or 2.0x)
- Distraction-reduced testing rooms
- Use of a calculator for math-related tasks
- Oral exams or text-to-speech software
Classroom & Materials
- Note-taking assistance (SmartPens, Peer Notes)
- Digital textbooks (E-text/Audio)
- Recorded lectures
- Advance access to presentation slides
ADHD & Executive Function
Includes: Attention Deficit, Memory Impairment, Processing Speed
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Priority Registration: Choosing class times that align with peak focus.
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Memory Aids: One-page formula sheets or "cue sheets" during exams.
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Preferential Seating: Front of class to minimize visual distractions.
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Assistive Tech: Noise-canceling headphones during exams.
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Break Intervals: Permission to take short "movement breaks" during long lectures.
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Task Breakdown: Support in Chunking large assignments.
Page 1 of 2 • Campus Compass: Accommodation Reference Guide
Physical & Mobility
Includes: Cerebral Palsy, Paralysis, Chronic Pain, Post-Surgery
Campus & Classroom Access
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Adjustable desks or ergonomic chairs
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Lab assistants for manual tasks
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Class relocation to accessible buildings
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Early access to classrooms
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Transportation assistance (Campus shuttle)
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Voice-to-text for written assignments
Attendance & Flexibility
Accommodations for flare-ups or medical appointments:
- Modified Attendance: Leniency for absences directly related to the disability.
- Deadline Extensions: Pre-negotiated flexibility for assignment submissions.
Sensory Impairments
Includes: Deaf/Hard of Hearing, Visual Impairment, Blindness
Hearing Support
- ASL Interpreters
- CART (Real-time Captioning)
- FM Systems / ALDs
- Captioned media (Videos/Films)
Visual Support
- Braille or large-print materials
- Screen readers (JAWS, NVDA)
- Scribes for exams
- Tactile graphics and maps
Psychological Health
Includes: Anxiety, Depression, PTSD, Bipolar Disorder
- Emotional Support Animals (ESA): Permitted in campus housing with documentation.
- Testing Environment: Private room to manage anxiety or panic symptoms.
- Break Policy: Permission to leave class briefly without penalty.
- Flexible Deadlines: Contingency plans for acute mental health episodes.
- Recorded Lectures: Allows for review during periods of low concentration.
- Support Contacts: Coordination with campus counseling centers.
Action Steps for Students
01. DOCUMENT Gather medical records or IEP/504 plans from high school.
02. IDENTIFY Locate the "Disability Services" or "Access Office" on campus.
03. ADVOCATE Meet with a coordinator to discuss "Reasonable Accommodations."
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