DAS Services
What are Disability Access Services's Responsibilities in this Process?
Disability Access Services Has the Responsibility to:
- Determine reasonable accommodations as supported by the submitted documentation and in collaboration with the student.
- Ensure that students receive appropriate and reasonable accommodations.
- Support faculty members by providing accommodations as needed.
- Provide specific reasonable accommodations such as a reader, a scribe, use of a word processor, or a sign language interpreter.
- Provide alternate format to students whose documentation supports a need for it.
Procedures for determining accommodations and individual rights and responsibilities are framed according to Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Disability Access Services takes the responsibility of determining accommodations very seriously. Consequently, accommodation(s) approved by Disability Access Services are supported by documentation on file.
Available Services
Please select a service from the list below to find out more:
- Alternative Format
- Alternative Testing
- Classroom Access
- Deaf and Hard of Hearing Access Services
- Mobility Device
- Notetaking Services
- Additional Notification to Faculty
- Academic Coaching
- Lab Assistants
- Library Assistants
- DAS Early Registration
- Flexibility with Assignments or Deadlines
Alternative Format
Alternative Formats converts required course materials including textbooks, documents, exams, handouts, etc. into accessible formats. This includes Microsoft Word documents (.doc and .docx), Digital Accessible Information System (DAISY), and Braille.
Please visit our chapter on Alternative Formats in the DAS Student Handbook for more information.
Alternative Testing
Alternative testing requests are done through DAS Online Services and the specifics of the alternative testing depend on a student's eligibility. Services may include:
- Calculator
- Computer
- Spell Checker
- Exam Enlargement
- Extra Time (1.50x or 2.00x)
- Quiet Location
- Room Alone
- Scribe or Typist
- Reader
- Wheelchair Access
Please visit our chapter on Alternative Testing in the DAS Student Handbook for more information.
Email: Testing.Services@oregonstate.edu
Cascades Campus (COCC) Alternative Testing Process
Students who require alternative testing services at the OSU Cascades Campus must utilize the OSU Cascades Campus Tutoring and Testing Center.
For more information, please visit our webpage for Ecampus students.
Ecampus Alternative Testing Process
For more information, please visit our webpage for Ecampus students.
Classroom Access Services
Students are responsible for verifying that classroom locations meet their access needs immediately upon registration for the upcoming term.
Because moving the location of a classroom affects other students, staff, and classroom requests, all requests to relocate a classroom should be made as soon as students register. Requests to move the location of a classroom should be made at least one month prior to the beginning of the term in order to avoid delays in changing classroom locations.
Classroom Access Services works with students, professors, and facilities services in order to provide the following accommodations:
- Accessible Computers
- Accessible Fieldtrips
- Accessible seating: chairs, tables, podiums and footstools
- Classroom Relocation
- In-class Service Animal
- Preferential Seating
Please visit our chapter on Classroom Relocating policies and procedures in the DAS Student Handbook for more information.
Email: Disability.Services@oregonstate.edu
Deaf and Hard of Hearing Access Services (DHOH)
- Accessible Audio/Video Materials (Captioning)
- FM Systems
- Interpreting (ASL, English, PSE)
- Real-Time Transcribing
Please visit our chapters on Interpreting and Real-Time Transcribing in the DAS Student Handbook for more information.
Email: DHOH.Services@oregonstate.edu
Notetaking Services
Students who are eligible may receive notes for their classes through DAS. Classmate-notetakers are paid to provide students with electronic or hard copies of class notes.
Please visit our chapter on Notetaking Services in the DAS Student Handbook for more information.
Email: Notetaking.Services@oregonstate.edu
Additional Notification to Faculty
DAS will send a specific notification to a student's faculty members each term notifying them of their accommodations. For certain disabilities, it may be helpful to add an additional notification to faculty explaining the impacts of their disability in the teaching and learning environment
Academic Coaching
DAS Academic Coaches provide DAS students with consultation and referral services. DAS Academic Coaches are available to discuss study skills and time management. They can also provide referrals to other support services in order to enhance student learning and academic success in the classroom.
Lab Assistants
Students whose disability limits their participation in course labs may be eligible for lab assistants.
Please note: Lab assistants will only help to carry out lab procedures that students are unable to complete. All information about actual lab processes and procedures the student's responsibility.
Lab assistants:
- Will perform only those tasks directed by the student
- Are used as a tool, not as a teacher or tutor
- Will not prompt or guide a student in performing a lab task
- Will adhere to proper lab procedures
- Must inform students ahead of time if s/he is not able to attend a session
- May receive instructions, if needed, regarding a student's disability-related needs from students and/or DAS
Library Assistants
Students may find that they need assistance in reading, scribing, or retrieving materials while doing course-related library research. Both the Valley Library and DAS provide library assistance.
If you need assistance:
- Contact the library ADA coordinator at (541) 737-3331 for retrieval of books.
- Contact DAS at (541) 737-4098 regarding the adaptive technology available to assist with searches.
DAS Early Registration
Students are eligible for early registration if they must register with the university early in order to meet DAS accommodation request deadlines.
Students qualify for DAS Early Registration if they are eligible for the following accommodations:
- Accessible rooms
- Printed materials in Braille
- Sign language interpreting, real-time captioning, real-time transcribing, or captioned media
- Specific schedule due to medical and health reasons
Please visit our chapter on DAS Early Registration in the DAS Student Handbook for more information.
Flexibility (Attendance or Deadlines)
Attendance Policy: What Students with Disabilities Need to Know About Attendance
Class attendance policies are not determined by the office of Disability Access Services. The number of allowable absences depends on the interactive or participatory nature of a course, or is based on department, college or accrediting agency rules. Therefore, attendance policies are set by faculty at the college or departmental level.
If attendance is determined to be essential, then students need to work with the faculty to determine the maximum time that can be missed before compromising the integrity of the course/program. In most cases, faculty will require a minimum of 70% class attendance. However, depending on the nature of the class (labs, graduate level, group projects, etc.) faculty may require 80% to 90% class attendance.
Similarly, faculty also determine policies regarding make-up work and missed quizzes and exams. Faculty is not required to lower or substantially modify essential course elements in order to provide an accommodation. DAS can provide faculty information regarding the legitimacy of the absences which are based on appropriate medical and/or psychological documentation.
Listen closely to faculty announcements about attendance and make-up policies and procedures. Also, check your course syllabus for information about these issues.
When It Is Appropriate to Have Flexibility with Attendance:
When a student has a chronic condition with random or cyclical acute episodes, accommodations to attendance policies may be appropriate. Attendance accommodations should be established in advance, not retroactively. Syllabi with detailed attendance, lateness or participation policies should be a cue to students to discuss this topic with the instructor. Please note that unexpected illness or injury, a recent diagnosis, onset, or change in condition rarely warrants accommodations in attendance policy. Rather, these conditions often warrant a withdrawal. See Academic Regulations 12 and 13 in the Online Catalog for Oregon State University's withdrawal policies.
It is important for students to discuss the following items with their faculty members at the beginning of the term:
"Time in Seat" Policies:
Policies identifying the number of allowable absences before they impact grades may be designed to motivate attendance; reflect the interactive or participatory nature of a course or be based on department, college or accrediting agency rules. Like any other policy these are subject to modification (rarely elimination) based on their nature and purpose in the design and delivery of the course.
"Late Work", "Make Up," and "Pop Quiz" Policies:
These policies all tie into attendance and should be included when you discuss attendance. Like "Time in Seat" policies accommodations may be appropriate depending on the nature of the assignment and its relationship to the pacing and progression of instruction.
Flexibility with Attendance:
If attendance is determined to be essential, then working with the faculty to determine the maximum time that can be missed before compromising the integrity of the program is required. In most cases, faculty will require a minimum of 70% class attendance. However, depending on the nature of the class (labs, graduate level, group projects, etc.) faculty may require 80% to 90% class attendance.
Flexibility with Assignments:
If the student needs special consideration in meeting deadlines for assignments and tests, the student will notify the faculty of any period of illness or inability to complete deadlines by the due date. The student will make arrangements with the faculty regarding completing the required course work. The student understands that he/she will need to work out with the faculty the anticipated new due date and that the request for an extension must be made in advance of the due date.
Statement for Notification Letter:
If the student is eligible for this accommodation, the faculty notification letter will contain the following:
"Student's disability might impact class attendance. It is estimated that this will not exceed 30% of the term. The Student-Instructor Agreement should be completed and noted if more than 70% attendance is required due to the structure of the class. It is student's responsibility to inform you (the instructor) of his/her absence in a timely manner (i.e., before class), and to clarify with you the methods and timelines for making up assignments missed due to the absence from class (i.e., make up tests and quizzes, timeline for handing in work that was to have been handed in during the class period, etc.)."