Accommodations for disabilities
Academic accommodations
In order to be eligible for accommodations for your disability, you will need to provide Northwestern's disability support services office with recent documentation (within 3 years) of your disability. Staff will review your documentation and consider your request for accommodation. Once the evaluation is complete and we've determined that your disability currently impacts your academic work and/or ability to participate in Northwestern's programs, we'll work with you to determine what accommodations are reasonable and appropriate. A plan for those accommodations will be made, and we'll review with you the process for requesting services.
Because each students' disability and the circumstances surrounding each request are unique, it's impossible to predict exactly what accommodations will be made for you. Here is a sampling of what is available:
- Accessible classrooms
- Books in alternate formats (audio and digital)
- Exams read orally, dictated or typed
- Extended time for test taking
- Laboratory and library assistance
- Preferential classroom seating
- Provision of note takers, scribes or readers
- Recording course lectures
- Reduced distraction or separate testing location
- Speech-to-text technology
All students may access the following academic supports without documentation:
- Coaching in self-advocacy and self-determination
- Help with scheduling and organizational skills
- Study strategies
- Test anxiety assistance
- Test-taking strategies
- Peer tutoring services and study sessions
Housing accommodations
Reasonable accommodations will be made for students with disabilities who reside on campus. These may include:
- Single rooms
- Wheelchair-accessible rooms
- Private bathrooms
- Rooms located close to elevators and exits
