Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) as amended in 2008 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, Occidental College’s Disability Services and Student Support Office (DSSS) provides reasonable academic accommodations to qualified admitted students.
Students may request accommodations at any time, but we recommend submitting requests 3-4 weeks before the semester begins to allow time for review.
Steps to Apply for Accommodations
1. Complete and Submit an Application
- Fill out and submit the Academic Accommodations application
2. Submit Supporting Documentation
- Provide documentation that meets our Documentation Guidelines
- Note: Insufficient documentation may delay the review process. Intake meetings may be rescheduled if documentation does not meet guidelines.
3. Schedule an Intake Meeting
- Students whose last name starts with A-M: Felicia Flores
- Students whose last name starts with N-Z: Michelle Obergfoll
Renewing Accommodations
Starting Fall 2025, academic accommodations will automatically renew each semester. Accommodation letters will be emailed directly to students and faculty members.
Additional Resources
For questions, contact accessibility@oxy.edu.
Commonly Assigned Accommodations
An accommodation is a legally mandated modification or service that gives a student with a disability an equal opportunity to benefit from the educational process.
Testing Accommodations
- Extended time on exams, typically 1.5x (50% extra)
- The use of a computer to type written exams, or use of assistive technology on exams
- Reduced-distraction testing environment
- The ability to take breaks during exams
- The use of a calculator when basic quantitative skills are not being tested
- The use of a spell-checker when spelling/grammar is not being tested
Classroom Accommodations
- Note-taker
- Printed material in alternate format (E-text or audiobook)
- Audio recording lecture
- The use of a computer for note-taking during class
- The ability to take short breaks during class
Other Accommodations
- Course substitutions
- Reduced courseload
- Housing
Assistive Technology
Speech-to-text software
Apple Dictation: Free dictation on Apple devices.
Google Docs voice typing: Students use speech to dictate in Google docs.
Dragon Speaking Naturally 10: Students use voice-commands to control computer operations and speech-to-text recognition.
Text-to-speech software
Access Text: Inaccessible textbooks made available into a PDF. Students can then use text-to-speech software to listen to books in PDF format. Can be granted through our office.
Bookshare: Textbooks made as MP3 files, enabling students with learning or print (visual/physical disability that inhibits effective access to printed information) disabilities to access the required reading material. Can be granted through our office.
Natural Reader: A free text-to-speech software available at www.naturalreaders.com. You can access many different voices in a variety of different languages.
Recording software
Glean: Platform allowing students to record lecture and transcribe within minutes. Recording follows word for word transcription allowing for access to recording and notes. Can be granted through our office.
LiveScribe Pen: This pen records what users are listening to and links it to what they are writing. This system allows users to go back to the specific place in the lecture, speech, etc., and fill in information they missed while taking notes. The program requires use of special paper that accompanies the pen. For more information, please visit www.livescribe.com.