Steps to request accommodations

After establishing academic accommodations with the Office for Disability Equity (ODE), students receive an accommodation (verification) letter in PDF. Then, students initiate an accommodation request by informing their instructors and submitting their accommodation letter.

The ODE accommodation letter is often called an "ODE letter" by faculty members.

We recommend you contact your instructors at the beginning of the semester - even if you think you may not use the accommodation for that course.

Step 1: Review the course syllabi.
Review each course syllabus and consider what accommodations you may require. Not all accommodations may be necessary for every class. 

Step 2: Contact your instructor with your accommodation (verification) letter.  
Email your instructor to initiate your accommodation request. The subject line can be ‘Disability Accommodation Request.'  You can use one of the Email Templates or create your statement. Attach your ODE accommodation letter and carbon copy (cc) your consultant on your email.

Step 3:  Discuss and arrange accommodations. 
Meet with your instructor, discuss the accommodations you require for the course, and make appropriate arrangements. Understand your responsibility, the instructor's responsibility, and how the accommodations will be implemented.

You do not need to disclose your medical diagnosis or details about your disability to your instructors. Seek guidance from your consultant about disability disclosure. 

Step 4: Stay in touch.
After accommodations are established, you may have questions and concerns. Communicate with your consultant if an accommodation is not working or you have questions. Do not wait too long to address problems.