Disability Access: Academic Accommodations at Gonzaga University

Disability Access: Academic Accommodations at Gonzaga University

The Disability Access (DA) Office in the Center for Student Academic Success (CSAS) at Gonzaga University establishes accommodations for students with disabilities as well as supports faculty and staff in providing those accommodations. Disability Access may arrange or provide academic adjustments, accommodations, auxiliary aids, assistive technology and other types of assistance for students with disabilities. Any accommodations determined for your student create equal access, not an unfair advantage. Accommodations are determined carefully, through an interactive process in the Disability Access Office with the student. Think of accommodations in college as “leveling the playing field” for your student so that they may compete equally with their peers.

Disability Access aims to help parents understand the differences between high school and college accommodation plans. Their resources will also help you to understand and prepare for the adjustment and self-advocacy challenges your student may face during the transition to accessing accommodations at the postsecondary level. The biggest difference between high school and college is that applying for accommodation is a voluntary, self-identifying process – initiated by the student. Gonzaga University students who require access or accommodation due to a disability must contact the Disability Access Office, and must complete the process for acquiring accommodations before any accommodations can be implemented.

If your student has a diagnosis that affects, or could affect, their ability to function – socially, academically, or otherwise, please contact DA. The Disability Access professionals are advocates of being proactive and talking with students about accommodations and resources before they are necessary. Many students want to avoid using accommodations in college and delay talking to our office until they find themselves in an uncomfortable situation. They encourage students to complete their process, so accommodations will already be in place should the student choose to use them. It is the student’s choice which accommodations they use and in which courses. They are unable to implement an accommodation without a request from the student.

Both permanent and temporary conditions can qualify for accommodation. Gonzaga University students who require access or accommodations due to a disability must complete the process for acquiring accommodations, this includes our online Accommodation Request form, providing appropriate medical documentation, a staff review process and a meeting between the student and one of the DA staff members. Please note that this process does take a little bit of time. If you are unsure if your student has a medical condition that qualifies for disability accommodations, please contact the Disability Access Office, do not delay meeting with a Disability Access representative out of concern for not having appropriate paperwork. 

Please do not hesitate to contact the Disability Access staff with questions concerning disability accommodations. Their office is located on the second floor of in Foley Center Library, Room 208. They can be reached at 509-313-4134 or disability@gonzaga.edu.The Disability Access office is open all summer, Monday – Friday from 8-12 and 1-5pm (closing only for Campus holidays or out-of-office meetings). They look forward to speaking with you and welcome you to Gonzaga University!