At Point Loma Nazarene University, academic accommodations are designed to remove barriers to learning and ensure that all students have equitable access to their courses, materials, and assessments. Through the Educational Access Center (EAC), students with documented disabilities can receive individualized accommodations tailored to their specific needs and educational goals.
What Are Academic Accommodations?
Academic accommodations are reasonable adjustments made to the learning environment, course delivery, or assessments that enable students with disabilities to access course content and demonstrate their knowledge without altering the essential elements of a course or program.
Accommodations do not guarantee academic success, but they are designed to provide equal access and opportunity.
Types of Academic Accommodations
Academic accommodations may include, but are not limited to:
Alternative Formats:
- Textbooks in digital, audio, or braille formats
- Accessible PDFs or structured Word documents
- Captioned videos or transcripts of recorded materials
Audio Enhancements
- Amplification systems or FM units
- Captioning for audio content
Visual Enhancements
- Enlarged print materials
- Screen magnification software
- Accessible slide presentations
Exam Conditions
- Extended time
- Reduced-distraction testing environments
- Alternative test formats (e.g., oral, digital, or large print)
- Use of assistive technology during testing
Response Formats
- Ability to provide verbal responses instead of written ones
- Use of a computer or speech-to-text software
- Scribes or readers for exams
Assistive Technologies
- Text-to-speech or speech-to-text software
- Screen readers
- Audio note-taking tools
Communication Modalities
- Use of sign language interpreters or real-time captioning
- Note-taking support
Classroom Conditions
- Preferential seating
- Access to lecture recordings or outlines
- Breaks during class or testing
Memory and Cognitive Support Tools
- Organizational and planning tools
- Audio recordings of lectures
- Use of formula sheets, graphic organizers, or memory aids (as appropriate and approved)
Important Notes
- Accommodations are not retroactive. They begin only after students have completed the registration process with the EAC.
- Course requirements will not be fundamentally altered, but the way students interact with those requirements may be adjusted.
- Students are responsible for initiating requests and communicating with instructors when accommodations are needed.