Procedure for Requesting Accommodations
Step 1. The student registers via our Accommodate portal
- NEW STUDENTS: Register Online with SAS
Consult our Step-by-Step instructions for how to register for details
- RETURNING STUDENTS: Activate Your Existing Accommodations Online (note: academic accommodations must be activated each term);
Consult our Step-by-Step instructions for how to register for details
Step 2. The student provides appropriate documentation of their disability.
You can upload documentation when you complete your registration, or if not available at that time, later. See our Guidelines for Documentation for details. Documentation must clearly indicate:
A. The existence of a disability (as defined by state and federal regulations);
B. That the disability substantially limits a major life activity including a statement of the nature and extent of the student's functional limitations; and
C. A statement of what accommodations are recommended by the provider.
If you have already completed this step, move to step 3.
Step 3. Our staff will make an appointment with the student to review documentation provided and assist in determining appropriate accommodation.
Our staff determines reasonable and appropriate accommodation through a flexible, interactive, and ongoing process involving the student. Final responsibility for selection of the most appropriate accommodation rests with the university. Early consultation regarding accommodation is essential whenever questions of compliance and/or funding for accommodations are involved. We will honor late requests to the best of our ability, but waiting can result in delay, substitution, or the inability to complete the request.
Step 4. Our staff will prepare an Accommodation Letter outlining the accommodations for which the student has been approved.
SAS prepares letters regarding student-specific accommodations for relevant faculty members/instructors and/or staff. For graduate students, we send the letter to their program's designated administrative contact. We are available to explain the procedures and assist students as needed. If difficulties arise in obtaining accommodations or there are concerns related to this process, it is the student's responsibility to contact us immediately.
For academic accommodations, the student must reactivate their accommodations (Step 3) each term (and at other times, if the student changes courses or is seeking additional accommodations).
Note: Students engaged in academic work off site (such as internships for course credit and study away) generally are not eligible for accommodation by William & Mary, though our staff can consult and will provide information as needed for students arranging accommodations at these locations. The ability to accommodate a student with a disability should be a precondition to any business, agency, or organization that wants to participate in an internship or externship agreement with the university. In the case of academic course work taken at another institution of higher learning, we also can consult and assist the student in communicating their needs to the other institution/program.
