Your Letter of Accommodation (LoA) informs your classroom instructor(s) about the
accommodations you are entitled to receive. You are responsible for providing each
of your classroom instructors with a copy of your LoA. We advise that you meet with
your professor(s) during their office hours to confirm that they have received your
LoA, discuss your specific needs, and ensure a mutual understanding of your accommodations.
There is no deadline for disclosing to OEA or requesting to use approved accommodations
in a given course. However, accommodations can only be applied to future assignments
or exams; they can not be applied retroactively.
To request any modifications to your accommodations, visit your RAMS Accommodate Portal,
then go to "Accommodation" > "Supplemental"; if you have any additional documentation,
you may submit it here. Documentation is only accepted through RAMS Accommodate Portal.
If additional information or a meeting is required by the OEA staff in order to consider
your request fully, you will be notified by email. Otherwise, you will generally be
notified of the decision within 1-2 business days if no additional information is
needed.
You are responsible for submitting your Semester Requests EVERY SEMESTER to renew
your LoA. You can do this by logging in to RAMS Accommodate Portal and selecting "Accommodation">
"Semester Requests" > "Select the Semester" > "Review Accommodations." You can only
schedule exams or access your accommodations once your faculty has been notified.
During periods of high demand, it may take up to 72 hours for your Semester Request
to be processed.
Students who choose academic coaching work with our Academic Coaches, individuals
working toward a Master’s degree in counseling, psychology, social work, education,
or other related fields at WCU. Academic Coaching is a service that supports students
in developing a broad range of skills essential to achieving success, including time
management, organization, studying, test-taking skills, stress management, developing
goals, priorities, and self-advocacy. Academic Coaching is not tutoring; you do not
necessarily have content knowledge in your courses.
Coaching appointments typically last about 30-45 minutes. Students can expect to meet
with a coach weekly throughout the semester (as long as classes are in session). During
these weekly sessions, the student and coach will work together to develop and monitor
a plan of action to help the student meet their academic goals.
Sign up to receive services such as Academic Coaching, Mindfulness Coaching, and Assistive
Technology Training by making an appointment request through your portal.
Audio Books: Companies like Learning Ally and Bookshare can provide many of your required
readings as downloads to your computer.
Etext: An alternative to written texts for students who need a combination of print
and or a more interactive text (larger font, more white space) or just the convenience
of computer based texts.
Reading Technology: Programs like Speechify and Read and Write Gold, which allow students
to access etext or online material (including teacher notes) in a more useful way.
Some programs offer notetaking help, built in dictionaries and the ability to listen
to your own writing efforts.
Dictation Programs: Nuance has a variety of options for dictation software.
Notetaking Technology: Messenger Pigeon by Habitat Learn allows students to record
class sessions and attach copies of handouts and projected materials to be submitted
to a content area expert who takes notes based on the recordings and materials. Notes
are returned within 48 hours.
Alternate Texts: Alternate texts aid students with disabilities who have difficulty
accessing traditional paperbound texts. Alternate texts are available in a variety
of formats, most commonly: PDF files, Microsoft Word documents, and in some instances,
mp3s. The OEA is dedicated to ensuring equal access for students with disabilities.
In order to be eligible for alternate texts, you must have appropriate accommodations
through the OEA.
Please use the Alternate Materials Request in your portal
The purpose of the OEA Proctoring Center is to provide accessible testing in a distraction
reduced setting for students who are registered with the OEA and have a reasonable
accommodation that provides the student with the ability to test in an alternate setting
or format.
Drop-in hours may be available for students registered with the OEA. Depending upon
staff availability drop-in appointments may be available for Accommodations Questions,
Academic Coaching, Mindfulness and/or Assistive Technology training.
You can also schedule appointments online through your RAMS ACCOMMODATE Portal.
If a student is granted the accommodation of reduced course load, this means they
are eligible to take less than 12 credits a semester and be considered full-time students
in determining eligibility for WCU services, including but not limited to:
Campus housing
Participation in student activities
WCU scholarships
PASSHE scholarships/waivers
NCAA DII Athletics participation
Limitations:
Students are reported with their actual enrollment status to the Department of Education
for financial aid eligibility/deferment purposes, the National Student Clearinghouse,
NSLDS (Federal Loans & Aid), and other external reporting.
Students are evaluated based on their actual credit load for determination of Satisfactory
Academic Progress (SAP)
Students are not eligible for non-WCU scholarships and loans that require full-time
enrollment.
Students may go into federal loan repayment status if they are not enrolled at least
half-time (6-8 credits).
Students’ financial aid will be based on actual tuition charges incurred and may not
result in a credit balance.
