Home | Accommodation Procedures

Student Accommodation Procedures

Various accommodations are provided free of charge to qualified WSU students to gain equal access to their classes. To get a printable copy of all Access Services procedures, go to the Access Services Student Handbook.

Requesting Accommodations

Each semester, you’ll need to submit a request form for each class in which you would like to receive accommodations. You may do that any time after registration when your schedule is finalized. Your professor will be notified of your eligibility via email.

Testing Procedures

Students wishing to take their exams in Access Services must schedule their time at least 3 business days in advance. You are expected to take your exam at the same time as the class, so any variances must be discussed in advance with your professor. We recommend scheduling all your exams for the semester at the beginning so that you don’t miss a deadline later. Consult the student handbook (PDF) for a detailed list of testing policies and procedures.

Scheduling an Exam

Students taking exams in Access Services should follow these steps:

Go to Schedule an Exam
Enter your full email address and password if you get a pop-up box.
Choose a valid time between 8am and 3:30pm, Monday through Friday.
You have until 4:29 pm today to sign up for an exam that is 3 business days from today.
Complete all the fields and click “Save”.
Check your WSU email for a confirmation, late notice, or invalid time message.
Sign up for all exams at the beginning of the semester so you don’t miss deadlines.
Contact Access Services at access@winona.edu if the date or time needs to be changed.
Go to View My Tests to see which exams you’ve scheduled to take in Access Services.

For more detailed instructions, please consult the Access Services Student Handbook (PDF).

Getting a Note Taker

Students eligible for a note taker should make their request on the Accommodation Request Form prior to the start of each semester. Watch the video "How to Receive a Notetaker" to help you prepare for talking to your professor. (Quicktime is required to watch the video.)
Your professors will announce in class and/or post on D2L that a voluntary note taker is needed.
Ideally, the exchange of notes will take place right after class in the classroom. Access Services can provide special carbonless paper to the note taker so the copy can be given right to the student. The student who will be receiving the notes may prefer to remain anonymous, so your professor may be involved to facilitate the exchange of the notes.
Notes can also be taken on a laptop and emailed to Access Services at access@winona.edu, which will be sent to the student, or in a notebook that can be brought to Access Services (Maxwell 314) for copying and distribution.
Having a note taker is not a substitute for attending class. Skipping multiple classes may result in the loss of this accommodation.
If you are concerned about the quality of notes being provided, please ask your instructor to evaluate them. Please notify Access Services at access@winona.edu if a class is dropped.

Alternate Format Textbooks

Books are available in alternate formats for qualified students to assist them in the successful completion of their classes. Eligible students should meet with the Alternate Media Specialist after registering for their classes to determine what books are needed. Students must provide proof of purchase of their books to meet copyright laws of publishers.

Recording Lectures

In some cases, students with disabilities may record their class lectures. The student is responsible for the set-up of the equipment and for the recording of the lecture. Once recorded, it may not be shared with other students. The professor and/or Access Services may stipulate conditions for recording. All files are to be erased, deleted, or destroyed at the end of the semester.

Priority Registration

Students who are registered with Access Services are eligible for priority registration so that they can establish a class schedule that will accommodate their physical and/or academic needs. Time should be allowed between classes so that exams can be taken with extended time at the same time as the class. You must meet with your advisor prior to registering to obtain your access code.

Sign Language Interpreters

Access Services will arrange for an interpreter to be present in the classroom and other class-related activities, such as small groups or a meeting with a faculty member. Please submit your request at least 3 weeks prior to the start of the semester so that an interpreter is present on the first day of class.

Obtaining Accessible Furniture

Students needing accessible furniture in a classroom should meet with one of the Access Services staff members to request the accommodation at least 3 weeks before the start of a new semester with their completed Accessible Furniture Request (PDF)

After registering for the upcoming semester, the student should physically check out each classroom where the class is scheduled to meet. If this is difficult for the student due to mobility or pain issues, the student should contact Access Services to request assistance in assessing the classrooms for his/her furniture needs.
Access Services will make every effort to accommodate late requests but cannot guarantee that the furniture will be in place for the first day of class.
Students should bring their own cushions or orthopedic support, etc. as needed to use in the classroom. These are considered personal accommodations. The University is not responsible for personal items left in the classroom.
If there are any problems with the furniture (the furniture is missing from the room, it is constantly being moved, etc.), then it is the student’s responsibility to notify the Access Services immediately at 507.457.5878 to resolve the problem.
If it is necessary to purchase furniture for the student, there will be an additional delay. Due to University purchasing procedures, furniture is ordered through specific vendors; Access Services will work diligently to help ensure prompt fulfillment of the request. For these reasons, it is extremely important that students who believe they will need accessible furniture make their requests as early as possible.

Grievance Process

This grievance process shall apply to situations where a student has followed the established procedures to request accommodations on the basis of disability and the request has been denied or otherwise not provided.

Written or emailed complaints should be filed within 30 days of the date the incident occurred with the Coordinator of Access Services.
If an informal resolution is not reached, the student should file a grievance through the University’s Affirmative Action Office.
Students also may file a complaint directly with the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights or with the Minnesota Department of Human Rights. The Statue of Limitations for filing a complaint with the Office for Civil Rights is 180 days from the date the incident occurred.

Announcements

Request accommodations now for summer and fall classes!

Access Services
Maxwell Hall 314
P.O. Box 5838
Winona, MN 55987
access@winona.edu
Phone: 507.457.5878

Fax: 507.457.2957
MN Relay Service: Dial 7-1-1

Academic Year: 8am – 4:30pm
Summer Hours: 7:30am – 4pm