Information on Specific Accommodations
Students must follow Disability and Access Services' procedures for obtaining accommodations (academic adjustments, auxiliary aids and services). Documentation must be provided to establish the existence of a disability and the need for accommodation. Students must also fill out a Reasonable Accommodation Request Form, which can be filled out online or request forms are available at the Disability and Access Services office location in 5-104.
Students must request accommodations so that Disability and Access Services is afforded a reasonable amount of time to review and evaluate the request and provide the necessary accommodations. Following is an outline of academic accommodations that may be obtained by students with disabilities once it has been determined by Disability and Access Services that they are eligible for such services. Please note that the accommodations named herein are not an exhaustive listing. Disability and Access Services staff members are available to discuss any specific accommodations that are not on the list.
Alternative Exams
- Extended Time: The standard practice in the field of post-secondary education regarding extended exam time is the allocation of time-and-one-half as the extended period. It may be appropriate to increase the allotted amount of exam time in certain situations, such as in cases in which the student's accommodation requires the use of technology aids, scribes or readers; or when the student's documentation clearly supports the need for an extraordinary amount of extended time. In courses and/or programs in which student performance within a prescribed time period is considered to be an essential academic requirement, the Institute has established that, as a general rule, students do not have the right to un timed exams or to an unlimited amount of time for exams.
- Readers: The student is responsible for completing the Exam Accommodation Form at least two weeks prior to the exam to request a reader, so that the Disability and Access Services staff, faculty member or the academic department has a reasonable amount of time to provide the necessary accommodation(s). Readers will be identified by the faculty and/or Disability and Access Services. Readers will be instructed to read only the material on the exam. No additional information may be provided by the reader unless the reader is instructed to do so by the faculty member. A reader must protect the integrity of the exam by not prompting the student or giving any indication of what the answer might be. Readers for exams will only be provided when the student's documentation clearly demonstrates such a need.
- Scribes: The student is responsible for completing the Exam Accommodation Form at least two weeks prior to the exam to request a scribe, so that the Disability and Access Services staff, faculty member or the academic department has a reasonable amount of time to provide the necessary accommodation(s). A scribe will be instructed to write verbatim as dictated to by the student with the disability. Scribes must protect the integrity of the exam: they must not use their own words, interpret, prompt, or suggest answers to the student.
- Distraction Reduced Setting: The student is responsible for filling out the Exam Accommodation Form at least two weeks prior to the exam, so that the faculty member/instructor, or the academic department, has a reasonable amount of time to provide the necessary location.
- Clarification of Exam Question: When the student's documentation calls for the clarification of exam questions as an accommodation, and Disability and Access Services' determination is that such an accommodation will not affect the academic integrity of the exam, then the restating of exam questions by the faculty member (or designee) will require that the following conditions be met:
- a) The faculty member, or the person to whom this responsibility has been delegated, will be responsible for rephrasing exam questions in consultation with Disability and Access Services, and
- b) The scheduling of the exam will be based on the exam time for the class and the availability of the faculty member or her/his representative. Due to the added time required for this accommodation, the student will be allowed extra time to complete the examination. The exam may be taped if it is judged to be an acceptable alternative by the academic department and Disability and Access Services.
Materials in Alternative Format
- Electronic Textbooks: Disability and Access Services can assist qualifying students in acquiring otherwise hard copy textbooks in electronic formats such as PDF, EPUB, and Word. When an electronic format is not readily available for purchase, Assistive Technology staff will help qualifying students acquire electronic versions from academic resources and publishing houses. Texts that are not obtainable electronically can be professionally scanned and processed for electronic use. Our staff can also consult on software for reading electronic texts and provide demos. For questions regarding electronic texts or reading software, see Accessible Formats for Course Materials or contact atic-staff [at] mit.edu.
- Audio Materials: Qualifying students can request assistance acquiring materials in audio format. MIT has a license for SensusAccess, a self-service tool which will convert text to other formats such as MP3. Assistive Technology staff can demo SensusAccess and other methods of converting text to audio upon request. Contact atic-staff [at] mit.edu for more information.
- Enlarged Course Materials: Assistive Technology staff can arrange for enlarged versions of print and electronic materials. A consultation with our staff is required in order to determine specifications and handoffs. As some enlarged materials are produced by outside vendors, lead time is required. Contact atic-staff [at] mit.edu for more information.
- Course Materials in Braille: Disability and Access Services will assist student readers of Braille in obtaining Braille translations of course materials assigned by instructors. Assistive Technology staff will Braille materials in house, or arrange for Braille materials to be produced by an outside vendor. A consultation with our staff is required in order to determine specifications and handoffs. As some Braille materials are produced by outside vendors, lead time is required. Contact atic-staff [at] mit.edu for more information.
Instructional Aids and Services: Note Takers
- MIT Disability and Access Services employs a peer note taking system. The Disability and Access Services accommodation letter, delivered by the student, through written notification, will inform the instructor that a student may need assistance in selecting a note taker.
- The student with a disability will attempt to find someone in the class to take notes for him or her. If they do not succeed, the student may ask the faculty member to announce in class that there is a need for a note taker. Faculty members should protect the student's right to privacy by not offering their name to the class. Faculty may direct interested student note takers to contact our staff (617-253-1674 or das-student [at] mit.edu) Disability and Access Services will provide the name(s) of potential note takers to the student with a disability, who then should contact the individual(s) and assume responsibility for engaging one as a note taker. Students choosing to become note takers are paid by Disability and Access Services at an hourly rate. Once a note taker is obtained, they should email DAS (das-student [at] mit.edu) for payment procedures.
- Disability and Access Services can assist the student by providing tips on selecting an appropriate note taker. However, it is the student's responsibility to monitor note takers for accuracy and timely delivery of notes. Any discrepancies should be reported to Disability and Access Services immediately. If a student needs assistance in this process, they should feel free to contact Disability and Access Services.
- If the student cannot find or maintain a note taker and the faculty member has made "a good faithful effort" to facilitate the finding of one, it need not be the role of faculty to then assume this responsibility for making sure that the student has a note taker. Some faculty do assume this responsibility, but doing so is their choice.
Students choosing to become note takers are paid by Disability and Access Services at an hourly rate. Once a note taker is obtained, they should email DAS (das-student [at] mit.edu) for payment procedures. - It is mandatory that students using note takers to be in attendance of classes. Note takers are not a substitution for the student's attendance. If a student is unable to attend class for an extended period of time, the note taker as well as Disability and Access Services must be notified. Failure to do so may result in losing note taking privileges as a person with a disability who can't attend classes (even occasionally) may not be otherwise qualified to take the class
Student note takers are paid by DAS for their services. Once a note taker is obtained, they should email DAS (das-student [at] mit.edu) for payment procedures.
It is mandatory that students using note takers attend class. Note takers are not a substitution for the student's attendance. If a student is unable to attend class for an extended period of time, the note taker as well as Disability and Access Services must be notified. Failure to do so may result in losing note taking privileges as a person with a disability who can't attend classes (even occasionally) may not be otherwise qualified to take the class.
All inquiries are welcome at das-student [at] mit.edu.