What are accommodations?
Accommodations allow a disabled student to complete the same tests and assignments as his/her non-disabled peers, but with changes in timing, formatting, setting, scheduling, response and/or presentation. Accommodations are intended to minimize or even eliminate the effects of the student’s disability. In essence, they level the playing field so a disabled student is given more equal footing with his non-disabled peers.
Who is eligible to receive accommodations?
Accommodations are available to a student who has an Individual Education Plan (IEP) or Section 504 Plan. Specific accommodations are chosen to meet each student’s individual needs and are determined by the IEP Team. Whenever possible, it is important to ask the student which accommodations would be helpful, and to include him/her in the discussion.
What are some types of accommodations?
You can learn about accommodations used in the State of Maryland in the Maryland Assessment, Accessibility, Accommodations Policy Manual.
Accommodations are commonly categorized in the following three ways:
You can also find a list of accommodations available in the Maryland IEP at http://olms.cte.jhu.edu//olms2/data/ck/sites/3915/files/IEP_Form_July_1_2018_Final_06152018.pdf
What are some accommodations that have been helpful to students on the autism spectrum?
Reading and Handwriting
Attention, Organization, Work-Study Skills
Social Maturity and Reasoning
Emotional and Self-Regulation