Accommodate

The Accommodate portal allows students 24/7 access to all of their disability-related information, including approved accommodations, pending requests, accommodation letters, appointments with DSS, scheduled exam proctoring, uploaded documentation, and more. 

Incoming freshman, transfer students, or students who have not received accommodations from WWU in the past: log on and submit a request for accommodation.
Returning students who have received accommodations from WWU in the past: log on with the legacy portal.

User Tutorials & Resources

The Student User Instruction Guide PDF: step by step instructions for students on how to access and begin using Accommodate as a new or legacy user.
Test Room Booking Guide PDF: instructions for students on how to request testing accommodations.

Student Rights and Responsibilities for Disability Services

At Walla Walla University (WWU), we are committed to providing an inclusive and supportive educational environment that fosters the academic and personal development of all students, including those with disabilities. To ensure that students with disabilities have equal access and opportunities, we outline the rights and responsibilities specific to our Disability Support Services (DSS) program.

Student Rights

• Access and Equal Opportunity: Students with disabilities have the right to access educational programs, services, and facilities at WWU without discrimination based on their disability, as mandated by applicable laws.
• Reasonable Accommodations: Students with disabilities have the right to request and receive reasonable accommodations that ensures equal access and participation in academic and extracurricular activities.
• Assistance from DSS: DSS is available to assist students with disabilities in removing physical, academic, and attitudinal barriers that may hinder their access to education and campus life.
• Protection from Discrimination: Students with disabilities are protected from discrimination based on their disability and shall not be subjected to retaliatory discrimination, as provided by law.
• Academic and Career Counseling: Students with disabilities have the right to receive academic and career counseling that supports their aspirations and goals without being counseled toward more restrictive career objectives.

Student Responsibilities

• Self-Identification: It is the responsibility of students with disabilities to self-identify to the Disability Support Services (DSS) office.
• Documentation: Students must provide documentation of their disability to the DSS office to support requests for accommodations.
• Intake Interview: Students should initiate services by making a request for accommodation by going to the Disability Support Services website and clicking on Submit a Request for Accommodation.
• Accommodation Agreement: Students are responsible for initiating a request for specific accommodations through an accommodation and requesting that a letter of accommodation be sent to specific course faculty through WWU Accommodate.
• Communication with Faculty: Students are encouraged to engage with faculty members to discuss their accommodation needs and request additional assistance as necessary, always being mindful of communicating in a way that is polite and falls within the parameters of the student code of conduct.
• Adherence to Deadlines for Academic Accommodations: Students are expected to adhere to the time deadlines outlined in their accommodation agreement and on the DSS website under Testing Policies.
• Adherence to Deadlines for Other Accommodations: Students must make arrangements for personal independent living needs and other disability-related personal needs according to the deadlines listed on the DSS website and the other related departments.

Disability Defined

Under the ADA, a person with a disability "is a person who: (1) has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities; OR (2) has a record of such an impairment; OR (3) is regarded as having such an impairment." Not all disabilities require accommodations. 

An individual must demonstrate that their condition meets the definition of a disability under the Rehabilitation Act, 1973, and/or the Americans with Disability Act (ADA), 1990. The ADA defines a disability as a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities. 

Substantially limits under ADA refers to significant restrictions as to the condition, manner, or duration under which an individual can perform a particular major life activity as compared to most people. Whether a condition is substantially limiting to support an accommodation request is a decision made by qualified professional(s) based upon multiple sources of information. 

A clinical diagnosis is not synonymous with a disability. Evidence that these symptoms are associated with substantial impairment in a major life activity is required for provision of accommodations. A detailed description of current substantial limitations in the academic and living environment is essential to identify appropriate accommodations, auxiliary aids, and services. Specific requests for accommodations need to be linked to the student's current functional limitations, and the rationale for each recommendation clearly stated. 

In other words, Disability Support Services needs to understand the current impact of the condition and identify a connection between the disability and the requested accommodation using the documentation, and the information provided by the student in an individual intake meeting. 

Discrimination Grievance Procedures

Internal complaints

If a student needs assistance communicating with their professors or instructors, they may ask the DSS office for assistance.

If a student believes their accommodation requests have not been processed fairly or they have not had access to accommodations let DSS and the Student Development Center know as soon as possible.

If a student believes they have experienced discrimination because of a disability or a perceived disability, they should refer to WWU's nondiscrimination policy. This policy outlines the university's nondiscrimination commitment and provides information on internal grievance procedures for addressing discrimination concerns.

External Complaints (OCR)

While students are encouraged to follow the internal grievance procedures to resolve complaints, they also have the option to file a grievance with the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) at any time. The usual time limit for filing a complaint with OCR is 180 days from the date of the incident. Students can find information on how to file a grievance with OCR by visiting U.S. Department of Education.

This Student Rights and Responsibilities for Disability Services statement is designed to ensure that students with disabilities at WWU receive the support and accommodations they need to succeed academically and thrive in our university community. We encourage students to familiarize themselves with these rights and responsibilities and reach out to the DSS office for further guidance and support.

Links to External Resources