Special Needs Available Services
- General Accommodations
- Classroom Accommodations
- Study & Learning Accommodations
- Testing Accommodations
General Accommodations
Priority Registration. With approval from their SNS counselor, students with disabilities may coordinate and register for classes ahead of time, enabling the students to order books on tape and prepare other needed accommodations in advance. An SNS counselor can provide further details.
Reduced Course Load. Where the disability necessitates, students may register for less than 12 credit hours but maintain full-time status in other respects. Students with disabilities who have been approved for reduced course loads and are otherwise qualified may participate in the Student Health Insurance program. Financial Aid requirements, however, may be different and must be taken into consideration. An SNS counselor can provide further details.
Course Substitution. When a specific disability may preclude a student from participating at an equal level with non-disabled peers, one course may be substituted for another at the discretion of the academic department.
Accommodation Letters. Students with disabilities may have accommodative letters sent from SNS to their professors prior to the new semester or term. They should contact each professor concerning any accommodations they may require. Professors who do not receive a letter from SNS are required by law to ask for documentation of the disability before they provide accommodations.
Accommodation Cards. In order to access some accommodations, such as special needs computers, textbooks on tape, testing services, etc., a student must have an accommodation card issued by his/her SNS counselor.
TTY/TDD.Teletypwriter/Telecommunication Devices for the Deaf (TTY/TDD) and instructions for their use are located at the following locations: Student Development Center (McKay Building) and in the payphone area of the Aloha Center.
Testing for Learning Disabilities and ADHD. University Counseling Services provides psychological and educational testing services to detect possible learning disabilities and other disorders. Read more in the section Testing Accommodations.
Transportation Services. The university does not provide transportation to, from, or around campus for students with disabilities or temporary medical conditions. The Bus, Hawaii's public transportation system, provides accessible transportation around the island of Oahu and can be reached at (808)374-9517. Students may need to arrange for services in advance and can also contact the HandiVan division for additional transportation assistance
Parking On Campus. Students who have a disability parking placard or license plate may park in any of the disability parking spaces on campus.
Other Accommodations. On a case-by-case basis, other accommodations may be made available. For further information, students should contact their SNS counselor.
Classroom Accommodations
Note Takers. Volunteer note takers may be provided when visual or physical impairments negatively affect a student’s ability to take notes or type. Note takers can ensure students receive all the information from a class lecture. Students should sign up for this service as soon as they are approved for it and are registered for classes. Volunteers are not permitted to take notes for a student who is absent from class.
Peer Note Taker. Students can ask a professor for help in locating another student in the class who would be willing to take notes during possible absences. SNS (Special Needs Services) will supply carbonless paper for peer note takers.
Accessible Classrooms. Most BYU-H classrooms are accessible. However, classes may be moved to a more accessible location if needed. Students should visit their classrooms at least two months in advance and notify their SNS counselor so that any necessary changes can be made before the semester begins.
Sign Language/ Oral Interpreters. Sign Language/ Oral interpreters are available to qualified students. Students planning to request interpreters should notify SNS as soon as they are accepted to BYU Hawaii. Interpreters are a scarce resource, but SNS will do its best to accommodate students’ needs. SNS reserves the right to request that a student who needs an interpreter change to a different section of the same class where there is already an interpreter. It is possible that in some classes students will share the same interpreter. SNS can furnish addresses of agencies that provide interpreters for private use in the community.
Audiotape Lectures. Arrangements can be made to audiotape lectures where note taking is not available. Tapes can also then be transcribed for use by the student. Copies of Class Overheads and Outline. Students can request copies of overheads and lecture notes from professors personally or through letters from their SNS counselor.
Study & Learning Accommodations
Tutoring. One-on-one tutoring is not provided for special needs students through SNS. However, The Counseling Services offers a volunteer tutoring service free to all students. The Volunteer Tutor Network (VTN) can be accessed by visiting Counseling Services. Students may also call Counseling Services (808) 293-3518 to link up with volunteer tutors. Several academic departments also offer labs where free assistance is provided and/or they offer a department list of paid tutors. The Reading and Writing Center (199 McKay, (808) 293-3629) offers critiquing helps for class required papers as well. Students who need or desire private tutoring may consider posting a job opening with student employment, (808) 293-3749, in the financial aid office
Textbooks on Tape. This service enables qualified students who have difficulty reading (visually impaired, learning disorder, and others) to obtain textbooks and other reading materials on cassette tapes. Students requesting textbooks on tape should read the section entitled Guidelines for Requesting Textbooks on Tape.
Live Readers. A current list of volunteer readers is available at Counseling Services, (808) 293-3518. The student and volunteer reader can set up a study schedule in the library or other common study area. SNS will also recruit and send readers to class with a student when needed.
Adaptive Computer Equipment. The university has one computer workstation located at Counseling Services. This computer is equipped with various assistive technologies including a large screen, a speech reader, an enlargement program, and a dictation program. Students desiring access to this equipment must receive clearance from their SNS counselor and receive basic training in using the needed assistive technology. Students will be asked to show a current and valid Accommodation Card in order to use this computer workstation and it’s special features.
Braille. Students who need brailled materials should let their professors know well in advance. SNS will coordinate necessary brailling services and equipment as needs dictate.
Distraction-Free Rooms for Study. SNS can help to schedule quiet distraction-free rooms to facilitate optimal learning when special needs students work with tutors or in groups.
Testing Accommodations
Distraction-Free Rooms for Exams. SNS will schedule rooms for testing purposes where students may dictate answers to a test scribe or proctor. In most cases students who qualify for this service will come to the Student Development Center to pick up their examination papers, meet their test scribe/proctor, and be directed to the scheduled room to take the exam.
Extended Time for Exams. In cases where a disability causes a student to work more slowly than other students, extra time for exam completion may be allocated. Testing Center workers will ask to see a student ID and the Accommodation Card.
Staggered Exams or Exam Breaks. Professors can authorize alternative exam times or exam breaks according to the needs of the student. Testing Center workers will ask to see a student ID and the Accommodation Card. Alternative Evaluation Modes. Testing may be available in oral, computerized, non-scantron, or another format according to student needs and professor discretion. These kinds of arrangements must be made well in advance. It is the responsibility of the student to initiate the discussion of appropriate evaluation methods as he/she meets with the SNS counselor and instructors.
Alternative Evaluation Modes. Testing maybe available in oral, computerized, non-scantron, or another format according to student needs and professor discretion. These kinds of arrangement must be made well in advance. It is the responsibility of the student to initiate the discussion of appropriate evaluation methods as he/she meets with the SNS counselor and instructors.
