TEST ACCOMMODATIONS ~ POLICIES & PROCEDURES
The Office of Disability Support Services (DSS)
Hours of Operation: Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
DSS: Perkins Student Center, Suite 161 Phone · (302)831-4643 · Fax (302)831-3261 ·
www.udel.edu/dss
Test Accommodations: Phone (302) 831-1639 · Fax (302) 831-4131 · dssproctor@udel.edu
Introduction
According to Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, “students with documented disabilities
may request modifications, accommodations or auxiliary aids which will enable them to participate in
and benefit from all post-secondary educational programs and activities.” This is confirmed and
strengthened by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990. The Office of Disability Support
Services at the University of Delaware provides assistance to students with a documented learning
disability (LD), and/or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and/or other disabilities,
which negatively impact their academic performance. Students must first be determined eligible
through DSS in order to use the testing options below.
Testing Locations and Hours of Operation:
The Office of Disability Support Services (DSS)
Perkins Student Center, Suite 161
The Office of Disability Support Services (DSS), Perkins Student Center, Suite 161
Open year round, 8:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. (Fall & Spring)
ALL ELIGIBLE STUDENTS WISHING TO UTILIZE THE OFFICE OF DISABILITY
SUPPORT SERVICES’ TEST LOCATIONS ARE REQUIRED TO KNOW AND FOLLOW
THESE POLICIES IN ORDER TO BE GUARANTEED TEST ACCOMMODATIONS.
Student Responsibilities
1. Students must first register with the Office of Disability Support Services (DSS) and complete the
DSS Eligibility Process.
2. Discuss approved exam accommodations with your professor at the beginning of each
semester. If the professor can provide the accommodation within his or her department, and it is
mutually agreeable with you, then the accommodation can be provided there. In this case, you do
not need to notify DSS, only your professor before each exam.
3. Submit the DSS Exam Sign-up Web Form, for each exam, five days prior to the exam date.
4. Remind your professor to deliver the exam to DSS in advance of each exam date.
5. You must obtain permission from your professor in order to take an exam at an alternate date and
time that is different from the regular class time.
6. Take your exam at the scheduled location and time. Failure to do so could be considered a
violation of the code of conduct. It is the student’s responsibility to notify the professor and DSS if
they are unable to sit for the exam at the scheduled time.
Revised 1/09
Test Administration Policies
1. Students must sign in and out when taking an exam at DSS/TAC. Be prepared to show your
University ID.
2. Students must agree to adhere to the University Academic Honesty Agreement by signing the Test
Coversheet. All cases of academic dishonesty will be immediately reported to the professor and
the University’s Office of Campus Life.
3. Only test materials and aids indicated on the Test Coversheet will be admitted into the testing area.
All personal and other belongings, including electronics and cell phones, will not be permitted.
4. Students must check exams for completeness and legibility. If there is a problem, please inform
the proctor immediately.
5. When required, Blue Books will be provided by the student and exchanged or checked by the
proctor.
6. Students are responsible for following their professor’s instructions and for returning all test
materials, including scrap paper.
7. Students using word for an exam must remain until they have checked their printed work.
DSS Responsibilities to the Student
1. DSS will notify professors of accommodations, via email, after the end of the Drop/Add period
(students will receive a copy of this email). Be sure to check your copy of the email to make sure
that the necessary professors have been notified. Also, check with your professors to make sure
that they have read the email. If needed, students can request to have their professor(s) notified
prior to drop/add.
2. DSS will provide a setting other than the classroom for test taking, when this accommodation has
been approved.
Professor Responsibilities
1. The exam must be accompanied by the DSS Test Coversheet. If special aids (such as calculators,
etc.) are allowed, please indicate this, and all instructions, on the cover sheet. If the student will be
taking the exam at a different time from the class, your permission must be indicated on the cover
sheet.
2. Exams are to be delivered to the Office of Disability Support Services by the day before the exam
date. Exams and Coversheets may be sent by email: dssproctor@udel.edu, by fax: 831-4131; or by
hand to 119 Alison Hall. Please do not send exams through campus mail.
3. Exams must be easily legible. If a faxed copy is not completely legible, or if assistive technology
is required, etc., please hand-deliver or e-mail a copy of the exam.
4. Professors may choose to provide the required test accommodations her/himself. In this case, the
alternate arrangements must ensure appropriate accommodations are made.
DSS Responsibilities to the Professor
Revised 1/09
1. A notification email for each student eligible for accommodations will be sent to his/her
professor(s) no later than the end of the Drop/Add period. This message will indicate the
University-approved accommodations necessary for the individual student, as determined by
DSS Professionals and/or the Documentation Review Committee’s review of the student’s
documented disability. The student may choose not to use these accommodations.
2. Exams will be checked for completeness and legibility upon receipt at DSS.
3. Exams received will be secured, with access limited to those staff members requiring it.
4. Completed exams will be returned as soon as possible, generally within 24 hours. Professors
have the option of picking up exams at the AEC, but are advised to call first, to ensure that the
exam has been completed.
Policy on Disclosure of Confidential Information
Students who have been determined to be eligible for accommodations through the Office of Disability
Support Services at the University of Delaware are encouraged to introduce themselves to their
professors as soon as possible. They may, at that time, wish to discuss their needs in greater detail;
however, this is not required in order to receive services.
Students vary in their degree of comfort in revealing personal details, and the University is restricted
in the amount of information it can divulge, out of respect for the privacy of the student and under laws
governing confidentiality.
FAQ’s for Students
 If I take an exam at the same time as the class, I will have to miss my next class in order to use my
accommodation of extended time. Can I begin earlier?
We generally do not require permission for students to begin exams a little early, in order to use
their approved accommodation of extended time, as long as they remain for the duration of their
class’ scheduled test time and they have notified their professors.
 My class is taking the exam at 5:00 p.m., when DSS is closed. Can I take it earlier?
Yes, as long as DSS has received permission from your professor on the Test Coversheet or via email and you remain until the scheduled class exam time (5:00 p.m.).
 My class is taking the exam at 7:00 p.m. What do I do?
Start by talking with your professor. Many professors allow students to take such an exam earlier
the same day or at an alternate date/time (with permission indicated on the Test Coversheet). If
this is not an option, the professor will need to provide the necessary accommodations.
 Why do I have to sign up for an exam 5 days in advance, if the professor is already sending it over
to you?
We administer a large number of exams daily. Without advance notice, we may not have spaces
for all test-takers (particularly during midterms and finals, when we may need to reserve
additional room). It is also important for us to review students’ requests to ensure that there are
no potential problems in administering a particular exam.
 If I am ill on the test day and unable to take the exam at the TAC, can I just take the exam the next
day?
Revised 1/09
We do not administer late/make-up exams without receiving permission from the professor, who
may prefer to send a different version of the exam for students in this situation. Students must
ensure that both the professor and DSS are notified.
 If I have a question about a test item, can I ask the proctor?
No; our proctors are not allowed to help in this manner. We recommend that you respond to the
item as best you can, then write a note to the professor explaining why you made that choice.
 If the cover sheet does not say that I am allowed to use a calculator/note sheet/etc., but I know we
can, what should I do?
The proctor will first try to reach your professor to confirm this. If s/he cannot be reached, you
may use the aid, but the proctor will make a note on the cover sheet that the aid was used. If a note
sheet is used, it will be returned to the professor with the exam.
Please Note: Failure to follow established procedures could result in suspension of the
accommodation(s) and reinstatement will be at the determination of the DSS Professional.
Revised 1/09