Here at Student Access for Improved Learning (SAIL), our main function is to ensure that students with documented disabilities receive academic accommodations in their classes and in testing environments. Accommodations in college create equal access and to remove barriers to learning. For example, accommodations include taking tests and quizzes in a quiet location, receiving extra time, and even sign language services. In the K-12 school system, students with disabilities received Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) or 504 Plans. These describe the student’s educational needs, goals, and what accommodations the school will provide to support their education. The school generally reviews the plans on a yearly basis and updates them to reflect changes and recommendations.
It’s a misconception that if you had an IEP or 504 Plan, your accommodations automatically transfer to EFSC. But that’s not the case! Graduating from high school terminates your IEP or 504 Plan. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t still get accommodations. It just requires a different process.
To have access to academic accommodations at EFSC, you’ll need to self-disclose to SAIL and register with our office. Registration includes completing an application, submitting supportive documentation from a professional who is qualified to tell us about your diagnosis and limitations (this could be a doctor, mental health professional, or psychiatrist), completing an interactive intake interview, and completing a file review. Once approved, the process also includes notifying your instructors about the accommodations. We may review a former IEP or 504 Plan to consider approving temporary accommodations. However, updated documentation is required to approve accommodations on a permanent basis.
Registration with SAIL is completely voluntary, which is very different from the K-12 process. In high school, teachers and other staff members often identify students having academic difficulties and request an evaluation. Then, if a student is determined to have a disability, an IEP or 504 Plan is created and implemented. It’s important to note that SAIL doesn’t complete assessments or cover testing costs. This also differs from the K-12 setting, where they usually provide free evaluations for students.
There are additional differences between high school and college when it comes to accommodations and academic support. For example, in high school, teachers can modify assignments, tests, quizzes, and what they teach in the classroom. In college, modifications to courses, exam formats, grades, and assignments are not available. Another difference between high school and college is that in college, tutoring does not fall under disability services. College students with documented disabilities must seek out tutoring or other academic support resources available to all students. Ultimately, in high school, accommodations keep the focus on success, whereas in college, the focus is on access.
Technically, there are no deadlines — but the earlier in the term you apply, the better, as some accommodations can take a little longer to prepare on our end. If you’re still in high school, you can get a head start by obtaining a copy of your most recent IEP or 504 Plan, gathering documentation from doctor or therapist visits, or finding out how to obtain an updated evaluation from a qualified professional. The more effort you put in up front, the less you’ll have to worry about once your college classes start.
No matter which campus you attend, there will be a SAIL Access Specialist available to help you! Even if you’re approved for accommodations and are taking classes on more than one campus, rest assured that your accommodations will transfer to each EFSC campus. To learn more about SAIL services or the differences between accommodations in college versus high school, be sure to check out the SAIL web page.
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