ACCOMMODATIONS BY DESIGN:

  • Accommodations are approved on a case-by-case basis, through DAI’s three-step eligibility process (1, Self-disclosure 2. Documentation submission 3. Consultation with DAI). 
  • Accommodations are for the purpose of access, and cannot alter course requirements or university policy. This includes absence policies for most courses, due dates, and deadlines. DAI cannot approve accommodations that would hinder the student’s ability to keep pace with the course. 
  • Accommodations are approved based on equal access and necessity, not individual preference.
  • Accommodations are not interpretive. They are direct and specific to the environment, activity, and individual student. 
  • Accommodations may vary from place to place, because the definition of otherwise qualified changes per the technical standards and programmatic requirements adopted by individual institutions.   Accommodations in high school, or those approved at one university may not apply elsewhere for this reason.
  • Accommodations should be utilized as independently as possible to provide the most agency to the individual. This is why assistive technology and software accommodations are preferable to those requiring another person (ex. Using Kurzweil screen reading software instead of having a person read an exam to a student).

ACCOMMODATIONS PROCEDURES AND REQUIREMENTS:

  • Students must self-identify and request accommodations from DAI themselves. A parent, caregiver, or clinician cannot do so on a student’s behalf.
  • Accommodations can be put in place at any time during the semester, before the last day of classes.
  • Accommodations cannot be requested or used retroactively.
  • Professors do not have to provide accommodations that are not listed in accommodations letters.
  • Accommodations must be renewed each semester for academic courses, and each academic year for housing.
  • DAI staff cannot disclose accommodations to a professor if a student has not shared their accommodation letter first, or initiated communication between DAI and the professor
  • Accommodation letters do not include diagnostic information. That is kept private and confidential.
  • Accommodations do not exempt students from fulfilling the expectations or requirements of their courses or program of study
  • DAI cannot grant accessible parking placards. They are only available from the state’s DMV or RMV where the car is registered

ACCOMMODATIONS IN ACTION:

  • Accommodation letters are provided for each class since the structure, instruction, content, assessments, etc. vary class by class.
  • Accommodation letters must be sent to professors by the student.
  • Accommodations are in place from the moment you disclose your accommodation letter and request their use, forward.
  • Accommodation use requests must be made in advance, and it is recommended to do so in writing.  Notification times may vary per class/professor (ex. exam accommodations should be requested at least one week in advance). 
  • Accommodations do not override policy, housing, or registration deadlines. DAI cannot request exemptions for students who make late requests or submit late applications.

URI-SPECIFIC INFORMATION:

  • Per URI policy, DAI is not currently permitted to grant remote learning as an accommodation for an in-person class. 
  • Accommodations that overlap with university policies, such as Housing, parking, ESAs, dining plans, etc. are reviewed by committee. If the committee denies your request, you may appeal it by providing new documentation and a student statement
  • If you are approved for priority registration, you must meet with your academic advisor, and register for your classes early. DAI is not responsible for making the appointment or reminding students to register early. 
  • For temporary illnesses or injuries, even if you are working with DAI for other reasons, please refer to Ch. 8 of the University Manual
  • Housing accommodations do not guarantee placement or preferences. Assignments are made based on availability and equitable practices.
  • Transportation accommodations may be available to students who qualify and involve transport to or from locations that are not on the URI shuttle line.
    • Students are expected to use the University Shuttle service whenever possible.
      • All University Shuttles are ADA-compliant.
      • Rhody Rides is not a point-to-point shuttle service for students.