Texas Tech University

Reasonable Classroom Accommodations

The university has issued an official policy on reasonable accommodations. Listed below are examples of reasonable classroom accommodations:

  • Note-Taking Services
  • Additional time on work done in class and on tests, unless speed is the essential element being tested.
  • Alternative test location which provides a quiet environment that reduces distractions
  • Priority seating assignment
  • Test reader
  • Test scribe
  • Student may need to have any written material (e.g., overheads, transparencies, chalkboard, notes, etc.) read aloud or put into an accessible format
  • Due to the nature of the student's disability, he/she may need to take breaks during class
  • A sign language interpreter (interpreter will use sign language to interpret lectures and fulfill interpreter requests.)
  • Captioned/subtitled videos
  • Allowance of assistive devices in the classroom and on assignments or exams:
    • Tape recorder for class lectures and in-class assignments (e.g. essays)
    • Computers in Academic Testing Services (or provided by instructors) for essay exams or in-class writing assignments.
    • Lap top computer for note taking

Important information regarding absences:

A female professor passes out notes to a students sitting at a table in the classroom.

Attendance: Class attendance is an academic standard outlined by TTU operating policy (OP 34.04). Students are expected to meet the attendance requirements set forth in each course syllabus. However, on occasion, there may be an extenuating circumstance for a student with a qualified disability that necessitates some flexibility with attendance requirements for a particular course. This is determined on a case by case and a course by course basis. Students needing consideration of flexible attendance for a particular course should notify their academic counselor in SDS once they have received their course syllabus so that a discussion and contract can be established with each individual instructor. This contract will establish the parameters for each course, including the number of acceptable absences and what processes will be required of the student when an absence occurs. Students will need to submit appropriate documentation to support this request. The final decision on the number of permissible absences will be made by the instructor.

Student Disability Services