Accommodations Process

Sacred Heart University students who are considering disclosing a disability to the university in order to request accommodations, auxiliary aids or services must complete an online request via our online portal. Appropriate documentation can be uploaded to this form. The requesting student should then meet with the OSA Director or the Assistant Director in order to discuss their request. At this meeting, the OSA staff member will discuss appropriate accommodations, auxiliary aids and services for the college environment with the student. Please note: appropriate accommodations are based on a student’s documented functional limitations in an academic setting.

Requesting Accommodations at Sacred Heart University

Follow the directions below if you are requesting reasonable accommodations for the first time at Sacred Heart University:

  1. Complete an accommodations intake form via our secure portal (SHU username and password required)
    • Once logged in, choose “Intake”. You must fully complete the form, including uploading required documentation
  2. Upload required comprehensive documentation to your intake form. See Documentation Guidelines for clarification and assistance.
  3. Set up a meeting with an OSA staff member (choose Intake Meeting: Accommodations as the meeting reason). Let office staff know if you require accommodations for this meeting (large print, interpreter, captioning, access to accessible parking, etc.)
  4. After meeting with an OSA staff member and receiving accommodations, it is the responsibility of the student to request their accommodations using the self-registration via the online portal.

Detailed Directions: Accommodation Intake

Accommodation Self Registration (completed each semester) via the online portal

Follow the steps below if you completed the Intake process detailed above and received reasonable accommodations through Sacred Heart:

  1. Complete the self-registration via the online portal (you will need your SHU username and password!) Once this process is complete your accommodation letters will be sent to your professors electronically.  You can return to your portal at any time to confirm they were sent and reviewed.
  2. It is important to renew your accommodations at the start of each semester, summer session or winter intersession (this includes study abroad opportunities) using self-registration to receive accommodations in your new courses.
  3. It is also your responsibility to complete the self-registration process after any changes to your courses or schedule, such as course additions and professor changes, throughout the semester.
  4. If you have new documentation, reach out to accessibility@sacredheart.edu. Do not send documentation through email. We will send you a link to a file transfer system in which you can securely upload your documents. Be sure you have read and reviewed SHU’s Documentation Guidelines. Documentation does not need to be provided each semester unless there is new information you wish to provide to the university, new/updated documentation has been requested by the university, or a newly requested accommodation is not substantiated by current information. Ask an OSA staff member if you are unclear if new information is needed.
  5. Students should consider contacting the Office of Student Accessibility (OSA) to discuss accommodation options in study abroad opportunities.

Detailed Directions: Accommodation Self-Registration

Students must self-register for accommodations for the start of every new course if they wish to receive accommodations. It is the responsibility of the student to register for accommodations for each new course.

Students should consider contacting the Office of Student Accessibility (OSA) to discuss accommodation options in study abroad opportunities.

Accessing your Accommodation Letter

Sacred Heart University students who have approved reasonable accommodations through the university and who have self-registered for the current semester can access a copy of their current accommodation letter for personal review. Detailed directions on this process is found below:

Housing Accommodations Process

Students who are renewing or requesting Housing Accommodations for a documented disability should follow the directions on our Housing Accommodations for a Disability webpage.

More Information

If you have questions on accommodations or the processes detailed above, contact:

Kathy Radziunas
Director, Student Accessibility
Student Success Center. Room 105
203-371-7820
accessibility@sacredheart.edu