Office for Disability and Access

Academic Accommodations

Many resources are available to all Oberlin College students. However, students who request accommodations based on a diagnosed disability must register with the Office for Disability & Access.

Registering with the Office for Disability & Access (ODA)

Appropriate and reasonable accommodations are best determined through an interactive process that includes the student, ODA staff, course instructors, and other faculty or staff members as appropriate. Students are expected to make accommodation requests in a timely fashion as accommodations cannot be applied retroactively.

New to ODA?

  1. Get Started: Register with ODA.
  2. A staff member will reach out to you with the next steps. 

Returning Student?

  1. If you have already been working with ODA, please log into ODA Online . Login 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 Family Release. To add another person to your release, complete a second Family Release.
  4. Update your profile.

If this is your first time ever registering with ODA, complete the Student Application to request accommodations. If you want to modify or request additional accommodations, select Additional Documentations and complete the form.

In order to receive accommodations, the student must register and request accommodations in a timely fashion. For example, faculty need typically at least a week’s notice in order to arrange for alternate testing locations and extended time.

We encourage students needing alternative texts to present their requests as soon as possible before or during the semester.

STUDENTS! Don't forget that you need to request your academic accommodations every semester. 

Students requesting accessible technologies (such as for reading and writing) based on disability should contact ODA. The determination of need and the appropriateness of specific software programs and other accessible technologies is made on an individual basis in consultation with ODA staff.

Training on certain accessible technologies is available for qualified students on the basis of need.

Note-taking services are coordinated through the ODA and are available only to students who are registered with our office and have a demonstrated need for such services.

If you are a student with a diagnosed disability and believe that note-taking services may be appropriate to your needs, contact ODA as soon as possible.

Students with disabilities may request an appointment with ODA staff at any time. 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.

The Executive Functioning Program is provided by the Office for Disability & Access and is available to all students. Email eftutor@oberlin.edu for more details.