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Student Resources

What is a Letter of Accommodation? How do I use it?

Your Letter of Accommodation (LoA) provides information to your classroom instructors about the accommodations you are entitled to receive.  It is your responsibility to provide each of your classroom instructors with a copy of your LoA.  It is advisable that you meet with your professors 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 for requesting to use approved accommodations in a given course. However, accommodations can only be applied to future assignments or exams; that is, they can’t be applied retroactively. Please share your letter from OEA as soon as possible so that we can discuss accommodations.

To request any modifications to your accommodations, visit your RAMS - Accommodate Portal the go to Accommodation > Supplemental;  if you have any additional documentation, you may submit it here.  Documentation is only accepted through RAMS - Accommodate.  If additional information or a meeting is required by the OEA staff in order to fully consider your request, you will be notified by email.  Otherwise, you will be notified of the decision generally within 1-2 business days if no additional information is needed.

It is your responsibility to submit your Semester Requests EVERY SEMESTER in order to renew your LoA.  You can do this by logging in to RAMS - Accommodate and going to Accommodation > Semester Requests > Select Semester > Review or Submit for All. You will not be able to schedule exams, or access your accommodations until your faculty have been notified.  During period of high demand, it may take up to 72 hours for your Semester Request to be processed.

What is an Academic Coach?

Academic Coaches are graduate students working toward a Master’s degree in counseling, psychology, social work, education, or other related fields at WCU. Academic coaches work with students on academic and life skills that affect their coursework and their academic progress. Skills that academic coaches help to develop include self-advocacy, time management, organization, career planning, test-taking skills, study skills, stress management, learning style assessment, developing goals and priorities. Academic Coaches are not tutors and do not necessarily have content knowledge in your courses.

How do I sign up for OEA Student Services?

Sign up to receive services such as Academic Coaching, Mindfulness Coaching, and Assistive Technology Training by making an appointment request through your portal.

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Learn about Adaptive Technology!

  • Audio Books: Companies like Learning Ally 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 Kurzweil 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: NoteTaking Express (NTE) 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

Scheduling an Appointment with OEA Staff

Students may schedule an appointment through their portal or by emailing oea@wcupa.edu.

Twardowski Career Development Center

The Twardowski Career Development Center connects students and alumni to the professional world, introducing them to who they can become.  

VISIT THE TWARDOWSKI CAREER DEVELOPMENT CENTER

Distance Learning Accessibility Tips & Resources for Students

Useful Links

Proctoring Center

The purpose of the OEA Proctoring Center is to provide accessible testing in a distraction reduced setting for disabled 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. 

When requesting use of OEA Proctoring Center, please note the following:

  • You MUST submit a Semester Request through RAMS - Accommodate that includes testing accommodations for EACH course for which you wish to request to use the OEA Proctoring Center BEFORE submitting a Booking Request. Semester Requests can be submitted by going to Accommodation > Semester Request > Add New > Select Semester > Submit or Review. IMPORTANT NOTE: Once a semester request is submitted a copy of your letter will be sent to your faculty to review via Accommodate.  If you add a new class after submitting a semester request, you will need to submit a new request in order for letters to be sent to your new faculty.
  • ALL BOOKING REQUESTS MUST BE SUBMITTED AT LEAST ONE WEEK (5 BUSINESS DAYS) PRIOR TO THE REQUESTED EXAM DATE! - You can submit all of your  booking requests for the entire semester as soon as you receive your syllabi.
  • Complete an online Booking Request for each test through your portal.  You can access this request by going to Testing Room > New Booking Request
    For additional information, please contact oeapc@wcupa.edu

Drop-In Hours

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 portal.

Reduced Courseload as an Accommodation

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.
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