Both the student and SAS have important responsibilities during the accommodation process. For more information or to discuss accommodations, please reach out to SAS directly.
Student Responsibilities
During the Accommodation Process
As part of the interactive accommodation process, students must self-identify for services. Self-identification includes initial registration, as well as providing documentation related to the disability. If students do not self-identify, then accommodations cannot be approved.
The student is responsible for completing all steps in the interactive accommodation process in a timely manner. This includes registering with SAS, submitting documentation, and meeting with SAS to discuss possible accommodations. Importantly, accommodations cannot be granted retroactively, so should be proactive in their outreach to SAS.
While students are not required to utilize their accommodations, students are highly encouraged to activate their accommodations each semester by creating a "semester request" in Accommodate. When a student completes a "semester request", they are letting SAS know which accommodations they would like activated and sent to their instructors. Once a "semester request" is completed, SAS sends an accommodation letter to the student's instructors.
Please note, if a student changes classes, students are required to send a new "semester request".
If a student experiences issues or concerns within the interactive accommodation process or during accommodation implementation, the student should contact SAS as soon as possible. SAS can assist students with resolving any issues.
If the student needs to update or modify their accommodations, the student should reach out to SAS directly. SAS must approve any additional or revised accommodations and this requires re-engaging in the interactive accommodation process. Depending on the request, this may or may not include sending updated documentation and/or meeting with SAS.
During Accommodation Implementation
SAS strongly encourages all students to reach out directly to faculty to talk with them about accommodation implementation in their courses. Students should not share information about their disability or condition, but should talk about how an approved accommodation will be implemented. SAS encourages all students to have this conversation proactively, as this will help both students and faculty be on the same page about expectations in the course.
Different accommodations have different guidelines associated with them. This could include specific timelines, student responsibilities, and steps to ensuring effective implementation. Students are responsible for meeting all responsibilities associated with their approved accommodations.
Students are responsible for working with academic advisors on creating a course schedule that best fits their needs. SAS does not have a course advising role, but many accommodations are only effectively implemented with careful planning. The student’s advisor will be an important person to help them create this schedule.
Unlike in K-12 education, students are responsible for coordinating and accessing campus services. SAS can help students connect with other campus services (commonly, Center for Academic Resources (CFAR), Psychological and Counseling Services (PACS), and Health and Wellness), but students are ultimately responsible for following through with any of these providers.
If there are any concerns or grievances, students are encouraged to report those within a timely manner. More information about this process can be found on our Grievances and Concerns page.
Other Student Responsibilities
Accommodations cannot modify any essential requirements. All students are expected to meet both academic and behavioral standards as set forth within the UNH Community and within courses.
Students are responsible for communicating directly with SAS. This includes responding to communications from SAS related to accommodations and the accommodations process.
SAS Responsibilities
During the Accommodation Process
SAS is responsible for helping students navigate the interactive accommodations process. This includes: assisting with the registration process; safely storing, collecting, and reviewing student documentation; and meeting with students to discuss possible accommodations. As necessary, this might also include additional meetings or connections to other campus providers.
During this process, SAS can request reasonable documentation from students to help better understand the student’s condition and the impacts of the condition.
SAS is responsible for approving reasonable student accommodation requests. This includes classroom, exam, flexibility, housing, parking/transportation, and other types of requests.
SAS is under no obligation to approve all accommodation requests. SAS is responsible for determining what accommodations are reasonable given the student’s functional needs and the educational context. Requested accommodations may be denied, and it should also be noted that fundamental alternations of essential requirements cannot be approved as accommodations.
Reasonable alternatives may be approved.
SAS is responsible for completing the interactive accommodation process in a timely manner. SAS strives to complete the process quickly, but specific timelines are dependent on when the request was made, the nature of the request, student preparedness for the process (availability of appropriate documentation), and the time of year (SAS experiences a high volume of requests in August, September, and January).
SAS is responsible for maintaining a student record and storing that record safely. This includes adhering to any guidance provided through USNH or campus IT services, as well as FERPA standards.
When a student notifies SAS about a concern related to their accommodations, SAS is responsible for meeting with the student to better understand what the situation is, and what potential solutions there might be.
If the student has a grievance, then they can follow the processes outlined within the the Grievances and Concerns policy.
During Accommodation Implementation
Students activate their academic accommodations through a "semester request" in Accommodate. When that is completed, SAS sends the student's accommodation letters to their instructors.
Some accommodations require outreach and coordination from SAS. This often includes coordination with faculty around academic accommodations, as well as with other departments like Housing or Dining around nonacademic accommodations. SAS helps ensure that approved accommodations are implemented.
If any issues or concerns are raised, by faculty, students, or staff, SAS will work to address them in a timely manner.
When students require changes or updates to their accommodations, SAS is responsible for meeting with the student to discuss the updates and changes. At that time, SAS will determine if additional documentation or additional meetings are necessary. This is determined based on an evaluation of each individual circumstance. For some cases, this might mean re-engaging in the accommodations process, but for requests that are already supported this might mean meeting and making the appropriate change to the accommodations. When changes are made, students are still responsible for completing any additional "semester requests".
Other SAS Responsibilities
SAS works closely with a variety of campus community members to better understand the needs of the community and to build collaborative relationships. This work includes outreach to relevant stakeholders.
When there are changes to our policies and practices, SAS will inform the community of key changes. This includes direct outreach to impacted individuals, as well as awareness building for those who may be involved in implementation.
To ensure that SAS is utilizing best practices, SAS updates and revises processes and policies. This involves continual reflection on not only changes within the field and professional standards, but also within the UNH community.
SAS provides a wide range of advocacy and support across all UNH campuses related to both accommodations and accessibility. SAS seeks to positively influence departments and community members across campus to create a more accessible UNH for all students.
