Request Accommodations

Students who self-identify as having a disability may utilize the Office of Accommodative Services to gain equal access to programs, activities, and services during their time at Potsdam. Getting started with OAS begins with submitting a new student request form. Below you will find information about our process, if you have questions at any time please email OAS@potsdam.edu. 

Process for Requesting Accommodations

1. Complete the new student request form:
   • All students wishing to register with our office are required to first complete the student accommodation request form using the New Student Request Form.
   • Once you have submitted the New Student Request Form a disability specialist  will reach out to you via email.
   • This form should be completed by the student requesting to receive services. Students needing assistance with completing the form may reach out to the OAS office.
      
2. Submit documentation of disability:
   • Documentation can be submitted electronically while completing the New Student Request Form. Please refer to the Documentation Guidelines webpage.
   • If students do not currently have access to their documentation, they can submit documentation via email, mail, or drop it off in Sisson 131
   • Uploading documentation is not required to submit an accessibility request. OAS can provide resources that may help guide students to get documentation for the first time or obtain updated documentation.
      
3. Meet with the Office of Accommodative Services
   • Schedule and attend your Intake Meeting.
   • After completing your new student request form, you will be assigned to a disability specialist and receive an email from them with information for your next steps. You will not be able to schedule an appointment until you have been assigned to a disability specialist.
   • During your meeting, you will discuss the documentation you submitted, barriers you experience in your academics, accommodations that would work best for you, and how to set up those accommodations.
   • You are not considered fully registered with the office until after you've completed the Intake Meeting. Therefore, no accommodations can be sent to your professors without the completion on an Intake Meeting.

Our Interactive Process 

The Office of Accommodative Services meets one-on-one with every student requesting accommodations. This can happen online or in person. We work to ensure that the process is supportive, fair, and educational for all students. Determination for accommodations is different for each student and highly dependent on factors such as when the request is made, type of accommodation(s), and availability of documentation. 

As part of the process, we may need to ask specific questions about a student's disability experience, get in touch with clinical providers, request additional medical documentation, and/or work with faculty and academic programs in order to make a decision about an accommodation. 

Students may also be referred to additional campus partners and resources when appropriate. After the interactive process and review are completed, students are notified of the decision in writing. 

Next Steps After Approval 

1. Submit a request for your semester accommodation letter
   • Using the Accommodate portal students will submit their semester request. Letters will be sent to faculty within two business days after your request.
      
2. Meet with your professors
   • We recommend that you meet with your professor to discuss your accommodations either before or after class or preferably during office hours.
   • Be sure to specifically address exams and quizzes, as well as any assistive technology you will use in the classroom. For some accommodations, additional communication with your professor may be required.
      
3. Request each semester
   • In order to receive accommodations for the following semesters, you must submit your new semester request through the Accommodate portal.
   • We will not send out any accommodation letters without your consent. This means submitting a request through Accommodate.
   • Let us know as soon as possible if you are struggling with an accommodation. That is the only way we will know if something is not working.