Frequently Asked Questions

Students with disabilities can receive reasonable accommodations, auxiliary aids, and services, per the ADAAA. Accommodations are created for each individual student based on their documentation and are provided on a case-by-case basis. The best way to determine what a student’s accommodations will be is to provide the SAA office with documentation that meets the documentation standards.

The most common accommodation is extended time for exams.  However, this accommodation is not ideal for all students and recent research suggests that this accommodation may not be the “fix all” for all students with disabilities. Other accommodations include FM systems, access to ADA bathrooms for residential students, permission to record lectures, and access to text-to-speech software.

Albright does not provide personal attendants, devices, or services.  “Institutions are not required to provide personal devices and services such as attendants, individually prescribed devices, such as eyeglasses, readers for personal use or study, or other services of a personal nature, such as tutoring.” Copied from number 6 of the Department of Education’s Transition Guide

Albright does not currently offer a program for students with disabilities. The Director advocates for students with disabilities and ensures the provision of reasonable accommodations. 

Students are encouraged to share their accommodations with their advisor so that their needs can be carefully considered when selecting courses. Students can meet with the SAA office to discuss course selection after schedules have been created.

If parents have concerns, we encourage open communication with their student as a first step. Empowering students to advocate for themselves is an essential part of their personal and academic growth. Parents may suggest that their student reach out to appropriate resources such as the SAA office or the Student Success office. Parents may also encourage the student to reach out to counseling resources on campus. If further assistance is needed, parents may contact the SAA office for guidance. Please note that we are only able to discuss specific student information if the student has granted us permission through their FERPA. 

Tutoring is not an ADAAA accommodation; however, Albright offers tutoring through the Student Success Center (SSC) and the Writing Center for all students! Students should contact the SSC or the Writing Center directly for more information. The staff members of the SSC and the WC are kind, helpful, and dedicated to student success. Please see their websites for further information.

Academic Services

College accommodations are designed to ensure equal access rather than to guarantee academic success. This is a significant difference between high school and college accommodations for students with disabilities. Please refer to Differences Between High School and College Accommodations for Students with Disabilities (PDF).

You can learn more about the ADAAA and regulations for students with disabilities in higher education via the Transition Guide from the Department of Education.