What's The Process?

Registering with the Office for Disability & Access (ODA)

Appropriate and reasonable Academic accommodations are best determined through an interactive process that includes the student, ODA staff, course instructors, and other faculty or staff members as appropriate. 

ODA works closely with Residential Life and AVI Food Services staff to create appropriate Housing & Dining accommodations for each student's needs. 

In order to receive accommodations, the student must register, provide documenation, and apply their academic accommodations in a timely fashion (find more info below on how to inform faculty of approved accommodations). For example, faculty need typically at least a week’s notice in order to arrange for alternate testing locations and extended time. Academic Accommodations cannot be applied retroactively (i.e., to cover already missed classes or late assignments). We encourage students needing alternative texts to present their requests as soon as possible before or during the semester to allow sufficient time to locate copies.

By adhering to yearly deadlines, students are best able to receive their requested accommodations in a timely fashion. 

Students registered with the ODA are encouraged to schedule check-in appointments with their assigned Access Coordinator or other ODA staff as needed. These meetings may be used to discuss accommodations, to address specific questions or concerns, or to help connect the student to other resources within Oberlin College and Conservatory. 

For New/Unregistered Students:

1. Register with ODA. You can also search "ODA" in Oberview and follow the appropriate prompts.
2. Complete E-Forms and Information Release Consent forms, if desired.
3. Provide medical documentation to support request. (See Documentation Guidelines and Forms for more info and provider forms.)
4. Check for emails from ODA staff with guidance on next steps.
5. Stay in communication with your Access Coordinator to ensure your accommodations are working for you! 

For Registered Students:

1. If you have already been working with ODA, please log into ODA Online using your ObieID and password.
2. The first time you sign into the portal, you will be asked to complete a Confidentiality Agreement regardless if you signed a paper copy in the past. This is a one time process, and you may add or retract permissions at will.
3. If you want to give permission to speak with your parents (or anyone other than yourself), select Information Release Consent, then choose Family Release. To add another person to your release, complete a second Family Release.
4. Update your profile as needed.
5. To modify or request additional accommodations, select Additional Documentations and complete the form. Provide any additional documentation to support the additional request.

How To Change Existing or Request Additional/New Accommodations:

Carefully read steps 1-7 before signing into the portal.

1. Go to the ODA Online Student Portal.
2. Login using your ObieID and password.
3. The first time you sign into the portal, you will be asked to complete a Confidentiality Agreement regardless if you signed a paper copy. This is a one-time process; you may add or retract permissions.
4. If you want ODA staff to speak with anyone other than yourself, complete the Information Release Consent Form for Family/Provider.  
5. Navigate to 'Home' on the left side of your Overview and select 'Additional Accommodation Request Form.'
6. Select the form that appropriately corresponds with your request. You can choose either 1.) Housing or Dining Accommodation Request Form OR 2.) Academic Accommodation Request Form.  
7. If you have documentation to upload with your request, upload it after completing the application. If you do not have or are unsure about documentation, please contact the ODA. Documentation is required before a registration appointment can be scheduled.