Current Disability Services Students

Students with accommodations are responsible for contacting the disability counselor and requesting their accommodations each semester that they want to use them. To ensure each student’s privacy, the disability counselor will not notify instructors without the student’s request. 

To make a request for accommodations, contact disability counselor Lauren Eicher at 724-925-4000 x3053 or eicherlaFREEWESTMORELAND. 

Accommodations can be requested and updated at any time during a semester. If you feel you need a change to your accommodations, please contact the disability counselor as soon as possible.

Once accommodations are approved and instructors have been notified about them, it is the student’s responsibility to work with their instructors on a plan to use the accommodations. Keep in mind that students do not need to use all of their accommodations all the time; students have the right to use or not use their accommodations. Because of this, it’s important to communicate with your instructors so they know if/when you want to use your accommodations. 

You should talk with the instructors within the first week of the class or within a week of your accommodation notices being sent to them. 

There are two ways to do this: 

• If you are taking an online course, email the instructor to let them know when you want to use the accommodations. Work with them on a plan for how and when to use them. 
• If you are taking an in-class course, you may email the instructor or you may talk with them before or after class or during their posted office hours. (Their office hours are listed on the course syllabus.) 

When you communicate with your instructor, you are not obligated to disclose your disability. You are obligated to discuss your accommodation needs and work on an implementation plan with your instructor. 

Other items you may want to discuss with your instructor: 

• Explain your strengths and challenge areas as a student and learner. 
• Share things that have been particularly helpful to you in past academic settings. 
• Ask your professor how they would like you to communicate with them if you have a challenge with the course or would like to talk about your accommodations.

Keep the lines of communication open with your instructor if any issues arise for you in the course. Instructors are usually available and helpful, but most expect you to initiate contact with them if you need assistance. Follow up with disability counselor Lauren Eicher at eicherlaFREEWESTMORELAND if you have any challenges when communicating with your instructors.

If you have been approved for accommodations related to test-taking (i.e., extended testing time, a separate testing area), it is recommended that you talk with your instructor at least a week in advance of the test date to let them know you want to use your accommodations. (Check your syllabus to see if your instructor has a policy on how and when to notify them about your accommodations.) Classes will vary in how accommodations are set up, so it’s important you work out the details with your instructor. 

In some courses, instructors will advise students to schedule an appointment in Tutoring and Learning Services to take their test there. Testing appointments must be scheduled with Tutoring and Learning Services at least 24 hours in advance. When you schedule your testing appointment, let them know what accommodations you intend to use. Once your testing appointment is scheduled, you need to let your instructor know so they can send your test to Tutoring and Learning Services. 

Please see the Tutoring and Learning Services page for more information on test-taking procedures.

If you have been approved for accommodations related to note-taking (i.e., getting copies of instructor’s notes, use of a note-taker), it is your responsibility to talk with the instructor about a plan for using those accommodations. 

If you have been approved for a note-taker, you are still required to attend class. Students using a note-taker are not eligible to get the class notes if they have not attended the class session. If a student is not going to be in class, they need to let the note-taker know.

If students are in need of a sign language interpreter or closed captioning, they must notify the disability counselor at their earliest convenience. Students can access these services for any classes, activities, campus events, advisor meetings, etc. However, these services require additional time to put in place and may not be available on short notice; please plan accordingly. 

If you need to cancel a session with an interpreter, please notify the disability counselor at eicherlaFREEWESTMORELAND as soon as possible.

If students are in need of alternative text formats for textbooks, course materials, etc., they must notify the disability counselor at their earliest convenience. Getting alternative text formats requires additional time and may not be available on short notice; please plan accordingly.