Accommodations

The decision to provide reasonable accommodations is based on a student’s disability. Accommodations are approved by the ADA coordinator on a case-by-case basis after a review of the student’s supporting documentation. Supporting documentation includes verification of disability by a professional, self-disclosure of disability and release of confidential information.

Reasonable accommodations for University services and the University’s credit-earning methods include, but are not limited to:

  • Guided Study, online and e-Pack courses and course examinations
  • Prior learning assessment (PLA) courses
  • TECEP examinations
  • Admissions and Academic Advising
  • Access to University materials

If you are not sure what accommodations you may need, contact the ADA coordinator at ada@tesu.edu. It is important to note that since accommodation needs can change over time, a prior history of accommodations may not lead to similar accommodations at Thomas Edison State University. Accommodations for a disability are not retroactive and will not be considered for any event or situation that occurred in the past.

Students who take courses at other colleges or who take college-level examinations such as CLEP, DSST, etc., should make their request for accommodations directly to the other college(s) or testing agency.

  • Determining Eligibility for Reasonable Accommodations

    Students requesting academic accommodations for University coursework must complete the TESU Academic Accommodation(s) Request Form. (Requests should not be made to any other University offices, to course mentors or test proctors.) Questions or requests for assistance with this process can be address to the ADA Coordinator at ada@tesu.edu.

    It is important to understand that each student requesting academic accommodations and support services is required to submit documentation to verify eligibility under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA, 1990; ADAAA, 2008). As defined by Section 504 and the ADA, an individual with a disability is a person who has a physical or mental impairment which substantially limits a major life activity, including learning. Academic accommodations are implemented to provide equal access to university programs and services. Under the protection of the ADA, a disabled person is ensured equal opportunity to fully participate in postsecondary education.

    Refer to Documentation Guidelines for clarification of criteria required in submission of verification of disability. If the documentation is incomplete or inadequate to determine the extent of the disability or reasonable academic accommodations related to the stated disability, the University has the discretion to require additional documentation. Additionally, students requesting accommodations for the manifestations of multiple disabilities must provide evidence of all such conditions. (Thomas Edison State University does not provide medical, mental, physical or learning disability evaluations.)

    After a student has completed the TESU Academic Accommodation Request(s) the ADA Coordinator will review the information and documentation submitted and the student will be notified in writing of the status of their request for academic accommodation. If needed, the ADA Coordinator may conduct an audio or virtual interview via Microsoft Teams. Be assured that all records related to a student’s disability are confidential and are kept in secured files within the Office of Accessibility Services.

  • Requesting Accommodations

    The Office of Student Accessibility Services of Thomas Edison State University uses Symplicity Accommodate for the intake, processing and approval of records related to students with disabilities and academic accommodations related to disclosed and verified disabilities. Students can easily request and modify the accommodations they need through the TESU Academic Accommodation(s) Request Form. Requests should not be made to any other University offices, to course mentors or test proctors. Questions or requests for assistance with this process can be address to the ADA Coordinator at ada@tesu.edu.

    Students who have completed the application and approval process to receive academic accommodations for TESU courses are required to complete a Term Accommodation Request via Symplicity Accommodate using their single-server sign-on) in every term in which they are requesting to have their approved academic accommodations activated. (Note: Term Accommodation Requests are available to students who have completed and been approved for academic accommodations; academic accommodations are not retroactive, so it is important for students to complete the application and approval process prior to taking a Thomas Edison State University course.)

    Students and Mentors will utilize Symplicity Accommodate for requesting Term Accommodations and any/all supplemental accommodation requests:

    What type of user are you?

    I'm a Student

    Use your TESU-assigned email, which would be firstname.lastname@students.tesu.edu. Your password is the same password you use for everything else.

    I'm a Mentor

    Use your TESU-assigned email, which would be firstname.lastname@mentors.tesu.edu. Your password is the same password you use for everything else.