Using Accommodations

Requesting Accommodations and Sending Faculty Notification Emails

Requesting Additional Accommodations or Changes to Accommodations

Requesting Test Accommodations

Requesting a Volunteer Notetaker

Requesting Material in An Alternative Format

Requesting Interpreters or CART Services

Requesting Accommodations and Sending Faculty Notification Emails

  1. Log into the DSS Portal.
  2. Complete required agreements – Fill out all e-form agreements related to your accommodations.
  3. Add accommodation requests – Select “Add Requests” in the “Accommodation Requests” tile.
  4. Select your courses – Check the box next to each class where you need accommodations. Note that new courses may take up to 48 hours to appear in the system.
  5. Choose specific accommodations – Under each class, select which accommodations you need. You can “Select All” or customize accommodations for each course based on its requirements.
  6. Submit your request – Click “Submit Request” when finished.
  7. If you need to modify your request, you may do so from this screen by selecting the “Modify Request” link.
  8. Access your letters – After emails are sent to professors, you can print PDF copies from the Portal or find them in your Portal mailbox.
  9. DSS suggests to follow up with professors – Contact each professor to discuss how your accommodations will be implemented in their specific course.
  10. Adding courses later – If you enroll in additional courses after sending notification emails, you must request new letters for those courses to receive accommodations.

Requesting Additional Accommodations or Changes to Accommodations

To request changes to existing accommodations and services, please contact your Accommodation Coordinator or the DSS office at dssoffice@udel.edu or 302-831-4643.

Requesting Test Accommodations through the DSS Portal

Make sure you have sent your Faculty Notification Emails. Communicate with each instructor regarding your approved testing accommodations to determine how they will be implemented in each course. 

If you plan to take your exam at the DSS Test Accommodation Center (TAC), you must sign up at least 1 week (5 business days) in advance of your exam.

  1. Log in to the DSS Portal and click on Test Accommodations.
  2. Select the course from the drop-down menu and click Schedule an Exam.
  3. Select the Exam Type, Exam Date, and Exam Time. Typically, you will take your exam at the scheduled date and time as the rest of the class.
  4. Select the accommodations needed for the exam.
  5. Use the additional notes section to list any explanations or reasons for changes. Note: You must obtain and provide written permission from your instructor to take an exam at a date or time that differs from the scheduled exam time. Written permissions can be emailed to dssproctor@udel.edu.
  6. Review and agree to the Terms and Conditions.
  7. Select Add Exam Request.
  8. Review your upcoming scheduled exams by selecting Test Accommodations on your dashboard.

Exam Scheduling Policy

Most instructors will require students to take exams at the scheduled exam time and date.

Required for Different Scheduling: If you need to take your exam at a different date or time than scheduled, you must obtain written permission from your instructor before submitting your request. Written permissions can be emailed to dssproctor@udel.edu.

Need Help?

For questions about the Testing Accommodation Center (TAC) or assistance with the Portal:

  • Email: dssproctor@udel.edu
  • Phone: 302-831-8948

Requesting a Volunteer Notetaker

  1. When sending your Faculty Notification Emails in the Portal, select Notetaking Services from your approved accommodations for each class in which you will require a notetaker.
  2. Once your request for a Faculty Notification Email has been approved (this may take up to 48 hours), you must confirm your request. On your Portal dashboard, click Notetaking Services on the left. Click Confirm Now for each course that requires a note taker.
  3. When a notetaker has been assigned, they will upload notes directly into Portal. You can access the notes by selecting Click to download available notes.

It is important to remember that peer notetakers are volunteers. Although you request a notetaker for a specific course, there is a chance that no one volunteers. If you require notetaking assistance in a course that does not have a notetaker assigned, contact your Accommodation Coordinator to discuss alternative notetaking supports.

If you are eligible for this accommodation, when you select ‘Notetaking Services’ on your Faculty Notification Email request, your professor is notified that you MAY need a note-taker. You will then be prompted in Portal to confirm that you really need the note-taker. Please be sure that you need a note-taker in the class before confirming.

DSS will send an email to your professor to make an announcement to recruit a notetaker for you. After a notetaker is identified, they will be instructed to upload their notes in the Portal.

Requesting Material in An Alternative Format

  1. Follow the steps above for Requesting Faculty Notification emails.  Make sure you select Accessible Alternative Format for each class in which alternate format is needed.
  2. Log in to the DSS Portal and click on Alternative Formats.
  3. Go to the Requests tab and scroll down to find the Reading Material section.
  4. Click Select Class and choose your course.
  5. Fill in all required fields for that course. Textbook information can be found on the UD Bookstore website.
  6. Submit Request. 
  7. Repeat this process for each additional course needing alternative format materials.
  8. Provide proof of purchase documentation for each request by clicking on Upload Receipt tab (located at the top right of the screen)
  9. Refer to the Alternate Format tab to view the status of the books that are currently being processed.
  10. Monitor Request Status under Alternate Format to view the current status of your requests.
  11. Look for emails from “dss-altbook” for status updates and further instructions.

If you need assistance with requesting alternate formats, please call the DSS office at 302-831-4643 or email:  dss-altbook@udel.edu.

Requesting Interpreters or CART Services

Students requesting ASL Interpreting or CART services for courses or campus-sponsored events should fill out the Request Form.