Randolph-Macon College students are encouraged to interact with our office through the Disability Services Online (DSO) portal—user guidance for each portal feature is below.
Student Resources
DSO Portal Resources
REQUESTING ACCOMMODATIONS EACH SEMESTER
Currently enrolled students who have previously followed the eligibility process and are registered with the Office of Accessibility Resources (AR) must request services each semester they are enrolled and wish to utilize accommodations; this action is completed by submitting the accommodation request form in the DSO. Students are strongly encouraged to meet with their instructors at the beginning of each semester to discuss the implementation of their accommodations in each of their courses.
REQUESTING ASSESSMENT PROCTORING
Currently enrolled students who are registered with AR and have been approved for assessment accommodations may complete the requesting assessment proctoring form in the DSO to request assessment proctoring in the Higgins Academic Center (HAC). Please note five day’s notice is required when scheduling tests in the HAC (two weeks for final exams). Certain steps are also required by faculty before assessments can be proctored by AR. Students should discuss the implementation of their assessment accommodations with their faculty members to ensure all steps are completed and their request for assessment proctoring can be fulfilled.
APPEALS PROCESS
A student may appeal the decision of the Director of Accessibility Resources regarding his/her request for auxiliary aid or services, accommodation or disability determination.
Intention to appeal a decision of the Director of Accessibility Resources must be filed in writing within seven (7) calendar days after the announcement of the decision.
The student may request in writing an appellate review of the decision by the ADA Coordinator, or his/her designee, via email at ADACoordinator@rmc.edu.
The request must include a brief statement of the grounds for appeal which should substantiate one of these two criteria:
- There was substantial failure by the Director of Accessibility Resources to comply with these procedures so as to deny a fair review of the student’s request.
- The decision of the Director of Accessibility Resources was not supported by the evidence.
The appellate review will be based on the information and materials in the case file, the findings and recommendations of the Director of Accessibility Resources, and the student’s written request for an appellate review. The ADA Coordinator may request any existing documentation from AR to review the decision, as well as any additional information from the student, in line with applicable law. The ADA Coordinator may also consult with appropriate administrators, including but not limited to the Vice President for Student Affairs/Dean of Students and Academic Support Dean, during any appeal process, as necessary and with confidentiality to the extent possible.
The ADA Coordinator may affirm, modify, or reverse the decision of the Director of Accessibility Resources, or at his/her discretion, refer the matter to the Director of Accessibility Resources for further review and decision. The ADA Coordinator shall notify the student in writing of his/her decision within fifteen (15) calendar days after the appeal is filed. The decision of the ADA Coordinator shall be final and not subject to further review.
If you feel as though you have been discriminated against because of disability, please contact the ADA Coordinator at ADACoordinator@rmc.edu to file a complaint as outlined in College’s non-discrimination policy. Or, you may contact the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) in the U.S. Department of Education. OCR is responsible for enforcing Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act.
OTHER FEATURES IN DSO
Currently enrolled students who are registered with AR can also log-in to the DSO to access the following:
- To view copies of the agreements they completed regarding specific accommodations.
- To view which accommodations have been approved by Accessibility Resources.
- To download a PDF copy of your Letters of Accommodation after your Letters of Accommodation are emailed to your instructors.
- To activate the text messaging feature to receive reminders about their upcoming meetings with Disability Services staff.
- To sign a Release of Information.
Frequently Asked Questions from Current Students
What do I do once I’m approved for academic accommodations? What is my role in utilizing accommodations?
Your most important role in using academic accommodations is letting your instructors know. After selecting your accommodations in the DSO for each class, your accommodation letter will be emailed to them. We strongly encourage you to meet with each instructor early in the semester to discuss how your accommodations will be implemented. These conversations may vary depending on your needs—and that’s completely okay.
My instructor won’t change my grade because I didn’t share my accommodation letter before the test—is that allowed?
Yes. AR strongly encourages students to contact their instructors about accommodations at the start of each semester. Accommodations cannot be applied retroactively, meaning they don’t cover situations that occurred before your accommodation letter was shared with your instructor.
Does every professor see that I have accommodations, even if they aren’t needed in class?
No, you are in control of who you disclose to, when you disclose, and what you share. We have recommendations related to what to do and when to do it, which is completely up to you. We are happy to meet with you if you are not sure and would like to discuss this further.
Who has access to my information?
Confidentiality is very important to Accessibility Resources! We will not share anything about your medical information or accommodations with anyone without your written permission. We have two types of information releases—on campus and off campus. If this is something you are interested in signing, please contact Accessibility Resources.