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, conduct the intake interview, 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

Please note: Requests made for the current semester will be processed in the order in which they are received.

Requests made for future semesters will be reviewed following this timeline:

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 Eastern Illinois University. 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.

 

 

  1. Provide disability information/documentation

  • In order to evaluate accommodation and service requests, the Office of Accessibility and Accommodations will need information 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 Eastern Illinois University.
  • 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:
  • 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
      Eastern Illinois University
      600 Lincoln Ave.
      Charleston, IL 61920

 

 

  1. Intake interview:

 

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 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. 

 

Note: The Office of Accessibility and Accommodations does not conduct diagnostic evaluations. For parking accommodations, please contact the University Police Department. 

 

Website updated 05/29/2025.