海角大神

Requesting Accommodations

We value a collaborative process as we work with eligible students to establish appropriate accommodations. Please submit requests and documentation early enough to allow staff sufficient time to review the request and implement approved reasonable accommodations and services. Self-report, historic information, and third-party documentation are used to inform decisions on relevant access issues. Each request is considered on an individual basis.

Requesting accommodations from the Office of Accessibility and Accommodations (OAA) is a three-part process:

1. Self-identification

2. Providing disability information/documentation

3. Intake interview

Students should follow the steps below to request disability-related accommodations:

1. Self-identify and complete the Accommodation Request Form

• The first part of this process is to self-identify as a student with a disability requesting accommodations. Self-identify means the student recognizes they have a disability and would like to request accommodations. Under Sec. 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act as amended and A.R.S. § 15-1811 (the primary anti-discrimination laws that apply to students at EIU), if a student with a disability believes they need an accommodation, it is the student’s responsibility to identify themselves as having a disability and making an accommodation request. This is a change from elementary or high school, where the school was responsible for identifying students with disabilities.
• Please review the Reasonable Accommodation Analysis process and the appropriate documentation requirements prior to beginning the Accommodation Request form.
• This form should be completed by the student requesting to receive accommodations. Students needing assistance with completing the form may reach out to the OAA.

 *IMPORTANT: It may take up to four weeks to review and/or process your information/documentation. Freshman and new students are strongly encouraged to request accommodations from the Office of Accessibility and Accommodations as early as possible after admittance to 海角大神. Current students may request accommodations at any time but are encouraged to make their requests for accommodations as soon as they become aware of a need for one.

2. Provide disability information/documentation

• In order to evaluate accommodation and service requests, the Office of Accessibility and Accommodations will need informaiton regarding: 
  1. That you have a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits a major life activity.
  2. How your disability is likely to impact you here at 海角大神.
• Documentation can be submitted electronically while completing the Accommodation Request form. 
• Please see the appropriate page(s) for documentation criteria and suggested/necessary forms for the type of accommodation you are requesting:
  • Academic Accommodations
  • Housing Accommodations (non-ESA)
  • Emotional Support Animal
• If students do not currently have access to their documentation, they can submit documentation via email, fax, mail, or drop it off directly in the Office of Accessibility and Accommodations.
  • Email: accommodations@eiu.edu
  • Fax: (217) 581-7208
  • Hand delivered: McAfee Gym, Room 1336
  • Mail:

    Office of Accessibility and Accommodations
    海角大神
    600 Lincoln Ave.
    Charleston, IL 61920

3. Intake interview:

• After OAA reviews your request and documentation, we will reach out via email to your EIU account to schedule a meeting with the Director to further discuss your accommodation request. The purpose of the interview is to learn first-hand, from the student, what functional limitations the student is experiencing and what accommodations they may need.
• This process may be brief, or it may require various exchanges between the student and OAA about the nature of the disability and the accommodations requested.
• We look forward to meeting with you! 

Determination of Accommodations

OAA may approve or deny requested accommodations based on the information contained in the documentation supplied under Step 2 and during the interactive process conducted in Step 3.

The factors that will be considered in making accommodation decisions are:

• If the proposed accommodation is necessary to ensure that any academic requirements or technical standards do not discriminate or have the effect of discriminating on the basis of the student’s disability.
• If the proposed accommodation is necessary to provide the student with a disability meaningful access or an equal opportunity to gain the same benefits as their non-disabled peers.
• If the proposed accommodation is logically connected to the impacts of the student’s disability and the barriers to access they experience in the academic and/or campus environment.
• If the proposed accommodation is logically designed to address and remove the identified barrier to access.
• If implemented, the proposed accommodation would be effective in removing the identified barrier to access
• The proposed accommodation does not:
  • Lower an essential program standard
  • Fundamentally alter an essential program element or requirement
  • Pose an undue administrative or financial burden

If you have requested a specific accommodation, EIU may offer that accommodation, or it may offer an effective alternative.

Please note: accommodations are not retroactive and can only be applied beginning on the date of approval.

Notification of Eligibility and Accommodations

When the determination about your request has been completed, an email will be sent to your EIU email address regarding your eligibility status and accommodation determinations. This email will also have further instructions about your next steps that may be needed in the process for receiving your approved accommodations.

Considering the length of time it may take to complete an intake interview, and the information and documentation evaluation, students are strongly encouraged to begin the eligibility process as early as possible.

OAA communicates with students primarily through their EIU Panther Mail account. Please check your account regularly in order to work through the accommodation request process in a more timely manner. 

Website updated 05/29/2025.