The Office of Adaptive Services provides the following accommodations and services. This list is not inclusive and there are other accommodations and services that can be offered based on individual need.
The Director of the Office of Adaptive Services determines what accommodations an individual will receive based on the documentation provided and conversations with the individual. Other accommodations are negotiable based on the individual's past experiences and benefits from such an accommodation.
Once the documentation is presented and appropriate accommodations are determined, the individual will need to complete a Request for Accommodations Form, which can be picked up in the Office of Adaptive Services or downloaded from the forms page of the Adaptive Services website. Once received, the Accommodation Forms will be printed with their accommodations on the form. Each individual must then pick up their Acommodations Form and hand deliver to their instructors. This process will need to be repeated at the beginning of each semester.
It is up to the individual to participate in the usage of the accommodations. Additionally, it is the individual's responsibility to notify the Director if there are any problems with the services, such as mechanical problems, being serviced in the classroom, etc. It is the Director's responsibility to make sure that the accommodation is fixed or available at the appropriate times.
It is not the responsibility of the Director or the Office of Adaptive Services to make sure that the individual is using the accommodations. The accommodations that are offered are not the "magic trick" to success. They are available in order to supplement the individual's strengths and aid in combating the individual's weaknesses. The Office of Adaptive Services is not responsible for academic failure when the individual does not take advantage of the services that are offered.
Reasonable Accommodation
Reasonable accommodation is an accommodation that does not pose a burden or threat, either financially or physically, to the institution or the parties involved. In addition, it is an accommodation that will not alter the fundamental nature and/or requirements of the program or institution. The Office of Adaptive Services and FGCU will not provide an accommodation or service that will produce an undue hardship on the institutional policy, its faculty, staff, or students. The Director of the Office of Adaptive Services will determine what accommodations and services will be deemed as "unreasonable". Select the following link to view the University's policy on accommodations.
Download the Universities Policy on Accommodations [.pdf - 190kb]
Course Substitution
Course substitutions for foreign language and mathematics disabilities are available as a reasonable accommodation. Students who are registered with the Office of Adaptive Services and who have a documented disability in mathematics are eligible to petition the course substitution committee. Students who are granted a substitution may choose from a list of courses to fulfill the required general education mathematics requirements.
Test Accommodations
The Office of Adaptive Services provides testing accommodations to individuals who will benefit from such a service. Instructors take much pride in the tests that they administer and many of these tests are the product of the instructor's own work. Therefore, instructors become very particular when it comes to taking their tests. The Office of Adaptive Services understands this view and strives to work with both the instructor and the individual in a testing situation.
If an individual requires a testing accommodation, the individual MUST complete a Test Schedule Form from the Office of Adaptive Services. These forms can be picked up in the Office of Adaptive Services or downloaded from the Adaptive Services Websit. This form will be filled out by the individual and given to the instructor to complete the information needed for the test, for example, what materials can be used (calculator), how much time is allowed for taking the test, or any other important information. Once the instructor completes the form, the student will deliver it to the Office of Adaptive Services. On testing day, the individual will come to the Office of Adaptive Services during the time in which the test is taking place. The individual will take the test in the appropriate time allotted, including the extended time accommodation, and then return the test to the Office of Adaptive Services' staff. The staff will then seal the test in an envelope and hand-deliver the test to the instructor within 1 business day of taking the exam.
In order for the Office of Adaptive Services to provide the most ideal testing environment, the Test Schedule Form must be delivered to the Office at least 4 days in advance. Additionally, we ask that instructors turn in the exams to the Office of Adaptive Services within 1 business day of the test date. Once the Test Schedule Form is completed and turned in, the test date will be posted to the calendar and the instructor will be notified. DO NOT WAIT UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE TO PICK UP A TEST SCHEDULE FORM. The Office of Adaptive Services will NOT be responsible for a missed test or less than ideal testing situation if notification is given after the 4-day time frame. In addition, the test will be returned to the instructor if the individual fails to take the test within a period of 3 days from the test date unless special accommodations are made between the instructor and the Director of Adaptive Services.
The policies and procedures for a testing accommodation MUST be followed exactly. These procedures are set so that the individual will receive the appropriate accommodation and the integrity of the test is maintained. NO deviation will be allowed in these procedures.
Download the Test Schedule Form [ 182kb- .pdf]
Download the Test Schedule Form [ 30kb- .doc]
If there are any questions or concerns regarding accommodations and services, contact the Office of Adaptive Services.
