Accommodation in education is the process of adapting academic materials, policies and practices to meet the needs of students with disabilities. Accommodations are often made for students with disabilities who have a variety of learning styles or abilities.
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What is an accommodation in education?
An accommodation is a modification or adjustment to a course, program, service, or activity that enables a student with a disability to have an equal opportunity to participate in and benefit from the education experience.
There are three types of accommodations:
-Academic Adjustments: academic adjustments are changes to the way courses or programs are delivered so that students with disabilities can have an equal opportunity to participate and benefit.
-auxiliary aids and services: auxiliary aids and services are devices or services that help students with disabilities participate in education programs or activities.
-reasonable modifications: reasonable modifications are changes to school rules, policies, or practices that enable students with disabilities to have an equal opportunity to participate in and benefit from the education experience.
Who is eligible for an accommodation in education?
In order for a student to be eligible for an accommodation in education, the student must have a disability that impacts their ability to access the educational content or the educational delivery method. The disability must be documented by a professional qualified to make such a determination. A signed and dated letter from this professional outlining the nature of the disability and how it impacts the studentufffds ability to learn must be submitted to the Office of Student Access & Success. This documentation is reviewed by accessibility specialists who make recommendations for accommodations based on best practice and individualized needs. If you have questions about this process or would like more information, please see our page on Documentation Requirements & Procedures.
What are the benefits of an accommodation in education?
The purpose of an accommodation is to address a documented need and provide a level playing field for a student with a disability. It is important to remember that accommodations are not modifications to the curriculum, but rather aids that allow the student to access the curriculum. Use of accommodations should be based on an Individualized Education Program (IEP), 504 plan, or review of other information about the student.
There are numerous benefits of implementing accommodations in education. When used correctly, accommodations can level the playing field for students with disabilities, improve academic achievement and grades, promote motivation and self-esteem, decrease problem behaviors, and allow students to show what they know in alternative ways.
There are four general types of accommodations that can be provided in educational settings: environmental/structural changes, changes in scheduling or pacing of tasks, changes in materials or how information is presented, and changes in how responses are required or evaluated. Many different types of accommodations can fall into these categories (see list below). It is important to note that accommodations should be based on the specific needs of the individual student and should be reviewed on a regular basis.
Types of Accommodations:
– Environmental/structural changes: These types of changes involve making alterations to the physical environment or changing the way tasks are structured. Examples include modifying the layout of a classroom, providing assistive technology devices, or allowing for frequent breaks during class.
– Changes in scheduling or pacing of tasks: These changes involve altering when or how often a task is completed. Examples include allowing extra time for tests or assignments, providing frequent breaks during class activities, or allowing a student to complete an assignment over several days rather than all at once.
– Changes in materials or how information is presented: These changes involve using alternative formats for information or using different methods to present information. Examples include using Braille materials, providing books on tape, or using pictures along with text
How to request an accommodation in education?
If you have a disability and wish to request an accommodation in your education, the first step is to contact the office of Accessibility Services at your school. This office will review your information and determine if you are eligible for accommodations. If you are eligible, they will work with you to determine what accommodations would be most helpful for you.
There are many different types of accommodations that can be made, ranging from simple modifications in the way information is presented, to the use of assistive technology. Some common accommodations include extra time on tests, having materials read aloud, or having tests administered in a quiet room.
Most accommodations are made on a case-by-case basis, so it is important to discuss your needs with the office of Accessibility Services. They will be able to provide you with more information about what accommodations are available and how to request them.
What are the types of accommodations in education?
There are many types of accommodations that can be used in education. Some common accommodations include:
-Modifications to the curriculum or assignments
-use of specialized teaching techniques
-Adaptations to the environment
-Accommodation in testing or evaluation procedures
These are just a few examples, and accommodations will vary depending on the needs of the student. It is important to review all the information about a potential accommodation before making a decision. Many accommodations can be made without changing the fundamental nature of the educational program.
How to create an accommodation plan in education?
Accommodations are changes in the way tasks are presented that enable a student with a disability to benefit from the educational curriculum. They are designed to reduce barriers and increase opportunities for success in the school setting. Creating an accommodation plan is a process that should involve the student, parent, teacher, and other professionals as needed. The goal is to develop a plan that meets the individual needs of the student while still allowing them access to the general education curriculum.
The first step is to review all of the information about the student. This may include information from previous schools, recent evaluations, or diagnostic testing. This will help to identify the areas where accommodations may be needed.
Once the areas of need have been identified, the team should brainstorm possible accommodations that would address those needs. It is important to keep in mind that accommodations should not lower standards or expectations for the student but should instead provide supports that allow the student to meet those standards.
After a list of possible accommodations has been generated, it is important to try out each one to see if it is effective for the student. This can be done on a small scale at first, such as using an accommodation for one assignment or during a specific time of day. If it is found to be effective, then it can be implemented on a larger scale. If an accommodation is not effective, then it should be removed from consideration and another one tried instead.
Finally, all of the information about the accommodations that were used should be collected and reviewed on a regular basis. This will help to ensure that accommodations are still necessary and continue to be effective over time. It will also allow for modifications to be made if necessary.
What are the challenges of implementing accommodations in education?
Many people think of accommodations as ufffdspecialufffd or ufffdextraufffd services for students with disabilities. However, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) defines accommodations as ufffdmodifications or supports provided in the general education classroom and other school settings, so that students with disabilities have an equal opportunity to participate in and benefit from the educational programufffd (34 CFR 300.39). In other words, accommodations level the playing field so that students who have challenges with certain areas of learning can compete fairly with their peers.
There are a variety of accommodations that can be used to support students with disabilities in school, and not all accommodations will work for all students. It is important to note that accommodations should not be confused with modifications, which are changes made to the actual content of what a student is expected to learn. For example, if a student is expected to read a chapter in a history book but has difficulty reading, an accommodation would be to provide the student with an audio recording of the chapter so that he or she could listen to it instead of reading it. A modification would be to simplify the chapter so that it is easier for the student to understand.
Not all students who receive accommodations have Individualized Education Programs (IEPs). Many students who receive 504 plans also receive accommodations. It is important for educators to remember that any student may need an accommodation at some point in their school career, regardless of whether or not they have a disability or an IEP or 504 plan. If you think a student may need an accommodation, talk to the student parents or guardians about your concerns and ask them if they would like you to collect information about the studentufffds needs so that you can make a recommendation for an accommodation. Once you have collected this information, you can use it to write an Accommodation Plan which will outline what accommodations will be put into place and how they will be used.
How to monitor progress with accommodations in education?
Parents and guardians can use this page to review information on accommodations and modifications that may be used for their student with a disability. Progress in school may be monitored by reviewing the student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) or 504 plan.
What are the next steps after implementing accommodations in education?
After implementing accommodations in your education program, you will need to review the student’s file and accommodation information periodically. You can use the Review of Student’s File and Accommodation Information form on this page to help guide your review.
What are some common accommodations in education?
Most students with disabilities attending public schools receive some type of accommodation or modification to their education. An accommodation is a change in the way things are usually done that gives a person with a disability an equal chance to participate in an educational program or activity (U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, 2011a). Many times, accommodations are made so that students with disabilities can take part in the same classes and activities as their peers without disabilities (National Association of School Psychologists [NASP], 2010). Some common accommodations that may be made for students with disabilities include, but are not limited to, the following:
– Allowing extra time for test taking
– Use of assistive technology devices
– Modifications to the physical environment
– Modifications to the curriculum
– Use of alternative assessment methods
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) requires schools to review a student’s need for accommodations on an annual basis (U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, 2011b). This review process generally happens during the development of the student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP), which is required by IDEA for all students receiving special education services. For more information about IEPs, please see our IEP page.
An accommodation is a change to the rules or structure of an educational setting that allows students with disabilities to participate in regular education programs. An accommodation can be temporary or permanent. A modification is a change made to the curriculum, program, or materials that does not alter the essential nature of the program. Reference: accommodations vs modifications chart.
External References-
https://www.apa.org/pi/disability/dart/toolkit-three
https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/feduc.2021.795266/full