Accessibility Services Accommodations

Note: The documents below are provided as a guide for individuals who may need documentation completed by their healthcare provider. Please ensure that all sections of the downloaded documentation are completed in full to avoid delays in the review process. If you already have documentation from your provider, you may submit those documents instead.

• Acquired Brain Injury (PDF)
• ADHD (PDF)
• Autism Spectrum Disorders (PDF)
• Hearing Impairment and Communication Disorders (PDF)
• Injured Student Athlete (PDF)
• Medical and Mobility Disorders (PDF)
• Psychological Disorders (PDF)
• Transient Status (PDF)

*Documentation also accepted: Full IEP/504 with current Psychoeducational Report.

*Detailed letter from qualifying healthcare provider should include the following:

• Diagnose qualifying condition(s)
• Be within three years
• Report symptoms, severity, and functional impairment (how the symptom of the disability impacts the person in specific environments, such as the academic setting or shared bathroom/bedroom)
• Include specific recommendations for accommodation(s)

Please complete your application with supporting documentation prior to your appointment through our Accommodations Request Application Portal. Be certain your documentation is complete and signed by the appropriate professional (e.g. psychiatrist, medical doctor, psychologist, or other provider(s), depending on your disability).

An Accessibility and Testing Specialist will be in touch with you within three weeks of the submission of your completed application to schedule your intake meeting. 

Attend your intake meeting. During this meeting, we will review your student accommodations report, discuss how to use your accommodations effectively, and cover any necessary best practices, policies, and procedures related to Accessibility and Testing Services.

Email your Student Accommodation Report (SAR) to your instructors and others as needed. For full instructions on how to request and present your SAR, as well as utilize your accommodations, review our SAR Instructions. For additional tips concerning your SAR, review our Useful Tips for Sharing.

If you are utilizing testing services on the Carrollton campus, send a copy of your SAR to testwest@westga.edu. If you are testing at the Newnan site, send a copy of your SAR to newnantesting@westga.edu. When sending your SAR please include your name, 917 & let them know you would like to utilize the testing center. 

How to Submit a Request:

1. Log into the CIDI Student Download Center. 
2. Select "My Requests" from the top navigation tabs. 
3. Select the "Submit New Request" button. 
4. Fill out the form. Obtain textbook information by contacting your instructor or visiting the campus bookstore online or in person. You will need the following information on each required text: Title, Author, Publisher, Copyright, Edition, and ISBN.  
5. Select "Add Request" when your order is complete. 

After your Request is Submitted:

1. Within four weeks after your CIDI order is placed through the Student Download Center, your 
   textbooks should be available. To download please go to https://cidi.gatech.edu/. Directly under the menu there will be a drop down labeled Applications. Student Center is selected by default, click “Go”, and login. There are clear instructions within the CIDI Student Center regarding how to download your books.
2. It is important that you DOWNLOAD YOUR TEXTBOOKS and save your books.  Your books will be available for download 120 days from the start of the semester. 

To be eligible, it must be determined that: 

• A student has a disability that impacts his/her math skills and that the disability precludes academic success despite the student’s efforts and/or reasonable accommodations.
• A substitution of this requirement will not result in a fundamental alteration of the student’s major/program of study. 

CMCS Accommodation Process:

• The requesting student will meet with an Accessibility Services counselor and provide the following documentation: 
  • High school transcript(s) and college transcript(s) (if the student has taken math classes at other institution(s)
  • Documentation of a disability that substantially limits mathematics skills; 
    documentation
• The student will be asked to complete a release of information form to allow the USG 
  reviewing committee (comprised of the directors of the three RCLDs in Georgia) access to the above listed documentation. The documentation will be submitted to the RCLD at Georgia State by Accessibility Services for review by the USG reviewing committee.
  • The USG reviewing committee may request additional documentation to aid their 
    determination.
  • Accessibility Services will communicate the decision to the student’s UWG email 
    within three business days of receiving the USG reviewing committee’s decision. 
• Every effort will be made to determine eligibility for the CMCS accommodation in time to allow for an informed decision concerning the following semester’s registration. However, requests received after the semester begins may not have a final decision in time for early registration for the following semester. 
• A UWG committee comprised of the Executive Director of the Counseling Center, the Manager of ATS (or the manager's designee), the chair of the Mathematics Department (or the chair’s designee), the student’s academic advisor, a faculty representative from the student’s major, and the chair of the Undergraduate Program Committee (or the chair’s designee) will determine if the core mathematics requirement constitutes an essential component of the student’s major/program of study. This committee will be contacted by the Manager of Accessibility Services, or the Manager's designee, and a meeting scheduled to discuss the student’s request. All committee members must come to a consensus concerning this student’s request. Every effort will be made to convene this committee within ten business days of receiving notification that the student’s request has been approved by the USG reviewing committee. 
  • If the student is found by the UWG committee to be pursuing a major/program of study for which mathematics is considered an essential component, the student will be notified via email by the Manager of Accessibility Services, or the Manager's designee, that he/she is not eligible for the CMCS for his/her current major/program of study. 
  • If the student is found to be pursuing a major/program of study for which mathematics is NOT considered an essential component, the UWG committee will identify a substitute course(s) best suited to the student’s major/program of study. The student will be notified via email by the Manager of Accessibility Services, or the Manager's designee, of the course (or courses from which the student is allowed to choose) that the UWG committee has selected.
• Students wishing to appeal the decision of the UWG committee and request that a 
  major/program of study be further considered for the CMCS accommodation can do so by preparing a written request. The request should include: 
  • The major/program of study the student wishes to have considered.
  • The reason(s) the student believes the major/program of study should be approved for the CMCS. Specifically, the appeal should explain how math does NOT represent a fundamental component of the major/program of study. 
• Appeals should be submitted to the Manager of Accessibility Services, or the Manager's designee, who will submit this request to the dean of the college of the student’s major for consideration. The decision by the dean will be communicated by the AD, or the AD’s designee, to the student within ten business days of the appeal request. In the unlikely event the dean is unavailable and more time is needed, the AD, or the AD’s designee, will communicate to the student when a final decision will be available. 
• Once approved by the UWG committee, the student registers for the substitution course and must meet with the instructor to discuss the course requirements and why they are taking the course. Students should refer instructor questions to his/her accessibility counselor.
• Upon satisfactory completion of the approved substitution course, the student must email his/her accessibility counselor with the following information: full name, 917#, name of course, course CRN#, and the semester completed.  
  • The accessibility counselor will email the Registrar’s Office (registrar@westga.edu) with this information, who will then note appropriately in the student’s Wolf Watch.  
• If a student changes his/her major/program of study, he/she must submit a new request for CMCS to be reviewed by the institutional committee as outlined in this policy.

Instructions for Early Registration

• You MUST be advised if contacted by an advisor indicating you are required to do
  so. Even if you do not have an advising hold, it is strongly recommended by
  Accessibility Services that you meet with your advisor. If you are unsure of who
  your advisor is, please contact the department of your major and/or the Advising
  Center. Be sure your advisor removes your advising hold if needed.
• For instructions on how to register see the instructions provided on the Registration Information webpage.
• If you have any HOLDS on your account, you will NOT be able to register.

• FLS entitlement due to a severe to profound hearing impairment must be documented by an audiologist report (within the last three years) and explanation of the report which specifically addresses the student’s impaired AIDED speech discrimination capabilities. 
• FLS entitlement due to a severe speech impairment must be documented by a speech pathology report (within the last three years) and explanation of the report which specifically addresses the student’s speech capabilities.  
• FLS entitlement due to a specific learning disability MUST be specifically approved by the Regents Center for Learning Disorders (RCLD) either through review of the student’s privately obtained evaluation or by a RCLD evaluation.  RCLD Evaluations will be coordinated with Accessibility and Testing Services.

Student Process:

• Complete the Accommodations Request Application and provide documentation that meets the above requirements.
• The Accessibility Specialist will contact you to coordinate a review with the RCLD.

If Approved:

• Send a copy of your accommodation to Admissions and your Academic Advisor.
• Schedule a meeting with your Academic Advisor to choose approved courses from the provided list. 
• To find out if a course not on the list is approved, contact the Accessibility Specialist BEFORE taking the course. 
• Four courses total are required; up to two courses can also be counted towards core curriculum requirements.
• Upon satisfactory completion of each approved course, you must email your Accessibility Counselor with the following information: full name, 917#, name of course, course CRN#, and the semester completed.
• Your Counselor will email the Registrar’s Office (registrar@westga.edu) with this information, who will then note it in your Wolf Watch.   

Authorized Substitutes for Foreign Language Courses:

Following, is a list of courses approved as English language substitutes for a foreign language course. These courses may be substituted for acollegepreparatory curriculum deficiency in foreign language or for the foreign language requirement for a degree.  For degree requirements, four courses total arerequired; up to two courses can also be counted towards core curriculum requirements. To qualify, the course must involve learning about a culture with a foreign language.

Please click the following link for a list of courses approved as English language substitutes for a foreign language course: Foreign Language Substitution

Graduating Students with Disabilities

Consider the following recommendations: 

• Make sure you have completed the application for graduation by the deadline.
• If you require special assistance or accommodations during the ceremony, be certain to check the box for “special assistance” on your graduation application. This step will ensure that a representative from the Registrar’s Office will contact you prior to the ceremony to discuss your needs. If you have questions or concerns, please contact the Registrar’s Office at (678) 839-6438 or graduation@westga.edu.
• Use the curbside drop-off site located in front of the Coliseum at the tent marked "For Guests with Disabilities.”
• Handicapped parking spaces at the Coliseum are limited; however, students with state-issued handicapped parking permits may park in any handicapped space on campus or in any “green” parking space NOT marked “reserved.”
• After the ceremony, graduates will be dismissed to the front lawn; students can meet their guests at the "For Guests with Disabilities” tent for convenience. Students are welcome to remain seated in this area to visit, take pictures, and have easy, curb-side pick-up.
• For more information concerning graduation go to https://www.westga.edu/studentservices/registrar/graduation.php

Guests with Disabilities

Consider the following recommendations:

• Guests requiring enlarged font or Braille programs should contact the Coliseum at (678) 839-5105 at least two weeks prior to the ceremony for assistance.
• Guests with disabilities are encouraged to arrive at the Coliseum at least one hour prior to the ceremony.
• Use the curbside drop-off site located in front of the Coliseum at the tent marked "For Guests with Disabilities.”
• Handicapped parking spaces at the Coliseum are limited; however, guests with state-issued handicapped parking permits may park in any handicapped space on campus or in any “green” parking space NOT marked “reserved.”
• Inside the Coliseum, the seating areas for guests with disabilities are located around the perimeter of the building at street level. These areas are designated by the blue and white universal handicapped signs. Due to limited seating capacity, guests with disabilities are allowed to select only one person to sit with him/her in this area during the ceremony.
• If assistance is needed, ushers are available at the front entrance throughout the ceremony. All restrooms are located on the same level as the designated handicapped seating area and are handicap accessible.

Students Seeking Housing Accommodations for the First Time:

• Complete your housing contract for the appropriate academic year through your UWG Housing Portal. Visit the website for Housing and Residence Life for instructions on completing your housing contract, as well as deadlines. 
• Complete the Accommodations Request Application as directed on the website. The accessibility Specialist will reach out to you once they have processed your application.
  • Note: Please make sure to provide documentation of any medically necessary equipment.  

Students who Already Have Housing Accommodations:

• If you currently live on campus in an ADA accessible room and/or currently receive ADA accommodations for your campus living arrangements, your accommodations should automatically renew each year. 
• Questions regarding placemnt should be directed to Housing and Residence life.
• If you wish to modify your Housing Accommodations, please reach out to the Accessibility Specialist to discuss what documentation you may need.  

PLEASE NOTE: Housing Accommodations may be subject to the availability of specific rooms. While Housing and Residence life will try to honor building preferences or roommate groups, they cannot be guaranteed.

A Handler is the individual with a disability, as defined under federal and state law, who uses a service animal to perform work or a task directly related to the individual’s disability. 

If you use a service animal that has been individually trained to perform tasks related to your disability, you are not required to register your service animal with UWG. However, you may choose to do so. Registration can help reduce questions about your animal's status in UWG facilities, particularly if the animal wears identification indicating that it is a service animal. However, registration is entirely voluntary. If you are in the process of training a service animal to perform tasks for you because of a disability, you will need to complete this registion since the animal is still in the training phase.

If you choose to register your fully trained service animal or you are in the process of training your service animal, please fill out the Service Animal Handler Registration Form.

Optional: If you choose to register your Service Animal at UWG, please visit the Momentum Center to obtain an official UWG ID tag for your dog.

The following support services are available at UWG for all enrolled students. If you have a need that cannot be addressed by one of these resources, please reach out to our Accessibility and Testing Specialist who can provide a referral to the appropriate service/department.

Advising Center (https://www.westga.edu/student-services/advising/)

• The Advising Center provides information about advising and registration, provides appropriate course recommendations to keep you on track, and can teach you how to use the tools for self- advisement that UWG offers. Contact the Advising Center, located in the UCC 207C, via email ucadv@westga.edu or by phone at (678)839-5342.

Career Services (https://www.westga.edu/student-services/careerservices/)

• Career Services provides career counseling to help you decide on a major and/or career path, assists with job searches, both student employment and after you graduate, and can help you with your resume and interviewing skills. Contact Career Services, located on the third floor of UCC, via email careers@westga.edu or by phone (678)839-6431.

Center for Academic Success (https://www.westga.edu/student-services/cas/)

• The Center for Academic Success provides free tutoring in all core classes, supplemental instruction (peer led study sessions) in many core classes, academic coaching, and academic success Please discuss possible accommodations for tutoring with your Accessibility Specialist. Information about accommodations are available on the Accessibility Services website. Contact the Center for Academic Success, located on the third floor of Ingram Library, via email cas@westga.edu or by phone at (678)839-6280.

Veterans and Military Programs (https://www.westga.edu/student-services/calv/)

• The Veterans and Military Programs Office supports veterans, active-duty service members, National Guard and Reserve members, military spouses, dependents, and military-connected families by providing advocacy, resources, and engagement opportunities that promote academic and personal success. Contact the Office of Veterans and Military Programs, via email at bbanks@westga.edu or by phone at (678)839-6181.

Comprehensive Community Clinic (https://www.westga.edu/academics/education/ccc/)

• The Comprehensive Community Clinic provides services to students with speech, language, and hearing difficulties. Contact the clinic, located in the Education Annex Suite 265, via email ccc@westga.edu or by phone (678)839-6145.

Counseling Center (https://www.westga.edu/student-services/counseling/)

• The Counseling Center provides free confidential counseling services for all enrolled students. Contact the Counseling Center, located in Row Hall Rm 123, via email counseling@westga.edu or by phone at (678)839-6428.

Writing Center (https://www.westga.edu/academics/university-college/writing/)

• At the University Writing Center, faculty and graduate tutors can assist you with all areas of the writing process. They offer free 30-minute and hour-long individual tutorials and welcome students from all disciplines, at any level. Please discuss possible accommodations for tutoring with your Accessibility Specialist. Information about accommodations is available on the Accessibility and Testing Services website. Contact the Writing Center, located in Boyd 205, via email writing@westga.edu or by phone at (678)839-6513.

Face-to-Face Courses

Students and instructors may choose a location determined by the instructor, such as his/her office or an available conference room near his/her office. Some programs of study proctor their own tests so they will also provide an appropriate space.

Students may test at either UWG Carrollton or UWG Newnan. To test at UWG Carrollton-Academic Testing Services (ATS), please see the instructions provided below. For testing in Newnan, email newnantesting@westga.edu or call (678) 839-5605 at least one week in advance to make arrangements.

How to schedule your tests with UWG Carrollton-Academic Testing Services (ATS):

• Submit your SAR to ATS by emailing it to testwest@westga.edu. You only need to submit your SAR once each semester unless your accommodations change.
• Schedule your testing appointments by calling (678) 839-6435, emailing testwest@westga.edu, or visiting ATS (229 Education Center) to schedule your testing appointments. We strongly encourage you to schedule all exams at the beginning of the semester. While appointments may be accepted up to 48 business hours before an exam in limited circumstances, early scheduling helps ensure space and staffing availability.
• Plan your testing time carefully. Your appointment should include both the class testing period and any approved accommodations. For example, if your class tests from 11:00 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. and you have a class at 12:30 p.m., you should schedule your accommodated exam to begin earlier so you have sufficient time to complete the test and arrive at your next class on time.
• Notify your instructor before each exam. After scheduling with ATS, you must email your instructor with your testing arrangements for every exam. This helps ensure your instructor submits the necessary testing materials to ATS. Whenever possible, instructors should provide exam materials at least one week in advance.

• Arrange assistive technology or personal assistance accommodations early. If you are approved for assistive technology or personal assistance during testing, you must contact ATS at least two weeks before your exam to ensure appropriate arrangements can be made.Report directly to ATS on test day. If you are testing with ATS, do not attend your class during the scheduled exam period unless specifically instructed otherwise. Instead, arrive at ATS at your scheduled testing time.

PLEASE NOTE: If you receive extended time as an accommodation for online quizzes or exams in your on-campus courses, you are responsible for communicating this need to your instructor. Please send a reminder email 2–3 days before each scheduled quiz or exam to allow sufficient time for your instructor to adjust the testing time within the course system.

Online Courses

Communicate clearly and in a timely manner via email with your instructor that you wish to have your accommodation of extra time on all tests, quizzes and timed assignments for the entire semester.

You have three options for an approved proctored testing site:

• Off-Campus: A list of proctored testing sites approved by UWG is available on the eCore website. These sites require three week advance scheduling and may charge a fee.
• On-Campus: You may contact Academic Testing Services (678) 839-6435 (Carrollton) or email testwest@westga.edu at least one week in advance to make your appointment. For testing at Newnan, call (678)839-5605 or email newnantesting@westga.edu.

PLEASE NOTE: You must test during the testing site’s normal hours of operation. Inform the testing site of your accommodations when you schedule and be sure that the testing center is in posession of your SAR prior to your appointment. Inform your instructor of your testing site and date via email as soon as you make the appointment.

• A Facility Provided by Your Instructor: You and your instructor would work out this arrangement.

eCore Courses
Every eCore class may require a proctored midterm, a proctored final, or both. This requirement will be stated clearly on the course syllabus. These exams must be administered at an approved eCore testing site (https://ecore.usg.edu/current-students/proctored-exams-information).

• For any proctored eCore exam, you must schedule with the testing site at least THREE WEEKS in advance.
• You must test during their normal hours of operation.
• You must forward your accommodations to etesting@westga.edu at least THREE WEEKS prior to your test date.

All students at UWG are encouraged to use the peer tutoring services (provided for most core curriculum courses) available through the Center for Academic Success (CAS). If you have a Student Accommodation Report (SAR), you are eligible to receive certain tutoring accommodations at the CAS, such as more tutoring sessions and/or longer sessions. To receive these accommodations, do the following: 

Email your SAR to Christian Crews, Coordinator for Peer Tutoring (ccrews@westga.edu). In this email, request an appointment to discuss your SAR and tutoring needs. Take all of your course syllabi to that meeting. 

Please be aware of the following:

• Mr. Crews will not share your Student Accommodation Report (SAR) with your tutors. Tutors will only be informed that you have been approved for an exception to standard CAS procedures.
• You are not required to disclose your personal circumstances to your tutors. However, you may choose to share information that helps them better support your learning needs.

Examples of information you may wish to share include:

• You may need information repeated multiple times to support comprehension.
• You would like permission to record tutoring sessions.
• You would like to use your CIDI materials during tutoring sessions.
• You may need to cover problems you are not currently working on with a blank sheet of paper to help maintain focus.

Hours, Locations, and Scheduling: 

• Monday through Thursday 9:00 am until 7:00 pm; Friday 9:00 am until 4:00 pm;  Sunday 3:00pm until 8:00pm (Limited Availability)
• All appointments are held in the Tutor Center on the 3rd Floor of Ingram Library. 
• Drop-in Tutoring is available Monday through Thursday on the 3rd Floor of Ingram Library.
  • Drop-in Tutoring hours are 10:00 am until 7:00 pm
• After you meet with Mr. Crews, to make an appointment, you may come to the CAS front desk, call (678)839-6280, or click “schedule appointment” next to the appropriate course in your EAB Navigate profile.
• Mr. Crews will provide you with important information concerning scheduling and the CAS cancellation policy. 

All students at UWG are encouraged to use the free tutoring services (30 minute or hour-long sessions) available through the University Writing Center (UWC). If you have a Student Accommodation Report (SAR), you are eligible to receive certain tutoring accommodations at the UWC, such as additional tutoring sessions and/or longer sessions. To receive these accommodations, please do the following:

Email your SAR to Dr. Melanie Jordan, UWC Director (melaniej@westga.edu). In this email, request an appointment to discuss your SAR and tutoring needs. Take all of your course syllabi to that meeting.

Please be aware of the following:

• Dr. Jordan will not share your SAR with your tutors. Tutors will only be informed that you have been approved for an exception to standard UWC procedures.
• You are not required to disclose your personal circumstances to your tutors. However, you may choose to share information that could help them better support your learning needs.

  Examples of information you may wish to share include:

• Needing additional repetition or clarification of information to support comprehension.
• Preferring to record tutoring sessions for future review.
• Using CIDI materials or textbooks during tutoring sessions.
• Any other strategies or accommodations that help you participate effectively and achieve your learning goals.

How to schedule a tutorial after your first meeting with Dr. Jordan:
You can call, visit, or email the UWC (writing@westga.edu) to make an appointment. The UWC will need the following:

• Class and Section Number for your assignment (For example, ENGL 1101-11)
• Student ID (917#)
• Student email address (@my.westga.edu)
• Telephone number
• Your preferred appointment date and time

Helpful Reminders

• Appointments fill quickly, and your preferred time may not always be available. While we will do our best to accommodate your schedule, we encourage you to make an appointment 2–4 days before assistance becomes urgent.
• If you need to cancel your tutoring appointment, please notify us at least 24 hours in advance whenever possible.
• To make the most of your session, please bring your paper (a printed copy is preferred), the assignment prompt or instructions, a pen or pencil, and any specific questions or concerns you would like to discuss. The more information you provide, the better we can support your needs.