Postsecondary Academic Accommodations

Postsecondary education institutions are required under the ADA and Section 504 to provide reasonable accommodations to students with disabilities. Unlike K–12 education under IDEA, where schools have affirmative obligations to identify and serve students, higher education operates under a self-disclosure model. Students must identify themselves as having a disability and request accommodations through the institution’s disability services office.

This structural difference creates significant challenges. Students may be unaware of their rights, unsure how to request accommodations, or hesitant to disclose disabilities. Institutions, in turn, may apply inconsistent standards, impose burdensome documentation requirements, or fail to implement accommodations effectively.

Common accommodations include extended time on exams, note-taking assistance, alternative formats for course materials, flexible attendance policies, and modifications to testing environments. However, accommodations are not limited to courses, they are also permitted in university housing, extracurricular activities, and all other programs that are controlled by the university.

We assist students in navigating these challenges by providing strategic guidance at every stage of the process. This includes preparing accommodation requests, advising on documentation, communicating with disability services offices, and addressing disputes with faculty or administrators. We also assist in escalation where necessary, including internal grievance procedures and external complaints.

These services are critical because academic success is directly tied to access. Without appropriate accommodations, students may struggle to meet academic requirements, resulting in lower performance, delayed graduation, or withdrawal. Moreover, poorly handled accommodation processes can create records that undermine future claims.

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