How to Talk About Your Disability
When Requesting Accommodations

Step 1- Explain that you are eligible to receive accommodations.

(You became eligible for accommodations after you filled out a DSS application,
submitted disability documentation, and your disability specialist identified the accommodations you are requesting.)

Example: “I have a documented disability and am working with Disability Services for Students.” (You do not have to name the specific diagnosis. In fact, it is often better not to. Unfortunately, some people still attach a negative connotation to some disabilities.)

Step 2 - Describe how your disability affects the task for which you are requesting
the accommodation.

(You can use the description of the functional limitations outlined in your DSS Verification of Need for Disability Accommodations document to explain your disability. However, it's best to put this information in your own words.)

Ex. A

"My disability interferes when I'm taking tests. I process printed information at a slower than average rate as well as skip lines of print and reverse letters. Because it takes me about twice as long as other students to read the questions and multiple choice answers, I usually run out of time before I have read all the questions."

Ex. B

“ My disability affects concentration, when I’m listening in class. Because I am
distracted by environmental sounds and even my own thoughts, I often miss
parts of the lecture without really knowing it. “

Ex. C

“ My disability affects my vision. I can’t see what is on the overheads, so I can’t
tell what you are pointing at.”

Step 3 - Explain how you can compensate when you have this accommodation.

Ex. A

“I am requesting 50% more time when I’m testing, so I have enough time to
reread the questions and use other reading strategies to get around the
affects of my disability.”

Ex. B

“I am requesting a copy of the notes as an accommodation, so I can
compare them to my own notes and fill in any points that I missed.”

Ex. C

“I want to arrange for copies of the overheads as an accommodation
for my visual impairment, so I can see what is being talked about.”

Worksheet

Step 1: “I have a documented disability and am working with Disability Services for Students. ”

Step 2: Describe how your disability affects the task for which you are requesting the accommodation.

“My disability interferes with:

Step 3: Explain how you can compensate if you have the accommodation you are requesting.