Request Academic, Field and Clinical Accommodations
All academic accommodations at Simmons University are applied on a prospective basis; students are not entitled to have accommodations applied on a retroactive basis. While there is no deadline for requesting academic accommodations, the OAS recommends that students submit their documentation and academic accommodation requests at least three weeks before the beginning of the first semester in which they are seeking to use accommodations. Field and clinical accommodations that relate to a student’s ability to access certain settings or to undertake certain activities should be requested before the program’s placement cycle begins.
For all types of academic, field, and clinical accommodations, students are welcome to register with the OAS or to request new accommodations at any time during the academic year but are encouraged to plan well in advance to ensure that they have access to the accommodations they need to access their course or field experience.
Returning Registered Students
To request your Academic Accommodation Authorization document for the upcoming or current academic semester, you may request your Semester Academic Accommodation Authorization Letters beginning three weeks before the start of the semester.
Request your Semester Academic Accommodation Authorization Letters beginning three weeks before the start of a semester, to ensure your authorization document for that upcoming semester.
New to Accessibility Services? See below.
Two important things to keep in mind:
If your faculty is TBA/TBD, you must wait until the faculty member is assigned before you can request the letter.
If you make changes to your schedule, you will need to request a new letter for your new faculty member.
Renewing your Academic Accommodations each semester?
Log into Accommodate using your Simmons account
- Click on the "Accommodation" link in the left side menu and select "Semester Request"
- To request accommodations for this semester, click the "Add New" button.
- Using the drop-down menu, select the current semester. You will see your class schedule appear.
- Click the button that best fits your needs. You can choose between:
- "Submit for all Accommodations" which will send all accommodations to all your professors. This button completes the process.
- "Review The Renewal" which allows you to select which accommodations you want to send to which professor. If you selected "Review the Renewal", use the check marks to select the courses that you want the accommodations to be sent to or use the "Remove Accommodation" button if you do not want an accommodation to be sent. Click "Submit".
- You will receive a "Semester Request Received - Under Review" email.
- Accessibility Services will approve your Semester Request and your letters will be sent to your professors.
- An Accommodation Letter will be emailed to your professors and a copy will be emailed to you.
- As always, it is important to discuss your accommodations with your faculty as soon as possible.
Requesting Additional Academic Accommodations
Log into Accommodate using your Simmons account
- On the left sidebar menu, you will see an "Accommodations" tab. Click on it to see the drop-down menu, then select "Housing/Additional Accommodations"
- Click "Add New"
- Select "Additional Academic/Housing Accommodation Request"
- Type in what accommodations you're requesting and a quick description of why you need it
- Upload the completed practitioner's verification of diagnosis for academic requests
- Click "Submit"
New Students
WHEN
Timetable of Requesting Academic Accommodations:
- New First Year or Transfer Students (On-ground / Boston) may begin to request academic accommodations beginning August 1 (Fall semester) or Dec 15 (Spring semester) of their entering year.
- Returning students (On-Ground / Boston) may request academic accommodations beginning August 15 (Fall semester) or Jan 5 (Spring semester).
- Online students may request academic accommodations in accordance with their term start times.
HOW
Before starting: Your academic accommodation request cannot be processed until OAS has received and reviewed your complete documentation. Please refer to “Register with Accessibility Services” for documentation guidance and requirements.
Steps to Requesting Academic Accommodations:
- Review Documentation Requirements and Criteria.
Documentation is an important part of registering with OAS and the process of exploring potential reasonable accommodations, so please make sure you have reviewed the criteria and requirements before progressing to the next step. - Gather your Documentation.
For Academic and Clinical Field Accommodations - The Practitioner's Verification of Diagnosis form may be completed by a health care provider if you do not currently possess documentation that meets the documentation criteria and requirements. - Submit Requests for Accommodations
Submit your requests for accommodations with appropriate documentation through the Accommodation Request Form, not through email.- Please allow five to seven business days for review. OAS will reach out if additional information or intake appointment is needed.
- Review Academic Accommodations Eligibility Letter
Review your Academic Accommodations Eligibility Letter and follow the next steps outlined in the letter to request your semester accommodation letters.
Commonly requested academic accommodations include, but are not limited to:
- Extended Time on Assessments
- Use of the OAS Testing Center
- Alternate Access to Text
Language Alternate as an Accommodation
Office of Accessibility Services
The Office of Accessibility Services (OAS) is committed to reducing barriers and enabling the full participation of students in our programs and activities. We provide academic and clinical accommodations to undergraduate and graduate students with documented accessibility needs.