Instructions for Testing Accommodations
Faculty and students are welcome to review this information here related to specific testing accommodations and how they will be implemented at the DSS Testing Center.
Student may schedule tests and/or quizzes with Disability Testing
Students and faculty have the opportunity to use the DSS Testing Center proctoring/accommodation services for tests and quizzes. This allows students to use Clockwork for scheduling tests and quizzes at the DSS Testing Center.
Extended time
At the DSS Testing Center:
- DSS Testing Center staff will adjust classroom test time according to approved accommodation
- Faculty will indicate in testing instructions the time provided in class for any test or quiz
- Computer based tests (e.g. Canvas) may need faculty to adjust time based on approved accommodation
- Students should schedule their test appointment with time extension in mind
Computer Based/On-Line Tests:
- Time adjustments should be made based on approved accommodation
Low distraction
A low distraction room may be a room with other testers, which is intentionally less distracting than the classroom environment.
Students with this accommodation should be prepared to test with other students.
Private space
A private space promises a room with only one student testing inside.
Students with this accommodation should be prepared to test in one of the private testing spaces inside the DSS Testing Center or in a location that is secured when these spaces are full.
During finals, we may need to secure a private space near your classroom.
Text-to-speech
DSS Testing Computers have multiple programs that will read aloud a test or online content to a student.
Programs include Read and Write Gold, Microsoft Word Read Aloud, JAWS, and NVDA. Read and Write by Texthelp is our most commonly used.
Here is a document that can help you practice using RWG for your test: Accessing RWG for Students.
Instructors should ensure a digitally accessible document version of a test or exam is provided for this accommodation.
Speech-to-text
DSS Testing computers have multiple programs that will type out spoken content from a student. Programs include voice typing within Google Docs, Read and Write by Texthelp, and Microsoft Word Dictation.
Instructors should ensure a digitally accessible document version of a test or exam is provided for this accommodation.
Personal assistant (Scribe, Human Reader ASL Interpreter)
DSS Testing provides a trained proctor who will write down or type out your answers to questions on tests,
who will read aloud questions on tests or an ASL interpreter for tests with an audio component.
Instructors and Students should watch for communication from DSS Testing regarding the possible need for Scheduling Flexibility.
Ability to listen to pre-approved music for duration of test appointment
Students with this accommodation may bring in their own music or borrow DSS Testing’s music to listen to during a test. Our Team will email you with detailed instructions, once we see a test request including this accommodation.
Miscellaneous accommodations
More unique accommodations may be needed for your testing experience. If your accommodation is not listed above, your counselor will build a plan with our team at DSS Testing and your instructor.
Depending on the accommodation we may need flexibility from both instructor and student. There may be a need for extra communication to plan testing appointments.