Office for Disability and Access
Current Students
Eligibility for Resources
In order for a student to be eligible for accommodation on the basis of disability status, they must be a person with a disability as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), its Amendment Act of 2008, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and its revision of 1974.
Under those laws, a person has a disability if they have “a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities (e.g., walking, standing, seeing, speaking, hearing, breathing, learning, working, or taking care of oneself), has a record of such an impairment, or is regarded as having such an impairment.”
Students experiencing challenges or barriers in the college's residential setting based on religious practices or cultural reason can complete the Religious/Cultural Consideration Request Form through ResLife. As a community, it is important that all students have the resources and support they need to practice their religious and cultural beliefs while living on campus. However, because the Office for Disability & Access (ODA) works under the purview of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and religious, spiritual, and cultural practices are not considered a disability or covered by the ADA, ODA cannot approve a housing/dining accommodation based on a student's religious or cultural beliefs.
Carefully read and follow steps 1-10.
- Go to ODA Online Student Portal.
- Log in using your ObieID and password.
- Read and sign any pending E-Forms.
- If you wish to allow ODA staff to speak with anyone other than you about your accommodations, complete the Information Release Consent form. See our policy on Release of Information.
- Scroll down the page to the Search for a Course section. If you do not see one or more of your courses, please email the Office for Disability & Access.
- Select each course in which you are requesting accommodations.
- Select - Continue to Customize Your Accommodations.
- For each course, select all accommodations you want to use in that class. You may customize the letter for each course if you choose. When finished, select "Submit Your Accommodation Requests."
- The Office for Disability & Access portal sends the Accommodation Letter to your professor via email. You will receive an email copy as well.
- Please remember you are strongly encouraged to meet with your professor to discuss your accommodations.
Carefully read steps 1-7 before signing into the portal.
- Go to the ODA Online Student Portal.
- Login using your ObieID and password.
- 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.
- If you want ODA staff to speak with anyone other than yourself, complete the Information Release Consent Form for Family/Provider.
- Navigate to 'Home' on the left side of your Overview and select 'Additional Accommodation Request Form.'
- 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.
- 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.
In keeping with our mission to encourage self-advocacy, the Office for Disability & Access facilitates an iterative process where students actively participate in the accommodation process. Students should:
- Register with the Office for Disability & Access (ODA) and request accommodations in a timely fashion;
- Arrange and communicate specific details of requested accommodations with faculty and staff members;
- Maintain the same academic standards required of all Oberlin College students, including timely completion of academic work; and
- Abide by the Oberlin Student Conduct and Community Standards on such matters as academic honesty and behavior.
Oberlin College is committed to providing opportunities for personal growth and civil discourse, and this process is viewed in those terms. If a student wishes to request an administrative review of their accommodation determination, they must make the request directly and in writing to ODA@oberlin.edu. Students are expected to be the leading participant in conversations. Therefore, while parents may participate in the interactive process with an appropriate signed release, students must be present for all exchanges and discussions, be fully involved in all dialogue, and be included in all electronic communications. Parental participation in the appeals process will not serve as a replacement for a student's involvement. Once an appeal request is submitted in writing to the above email address, instructions for the next steps will be sent via email response to the student.
Privacy laws actually restrict the sharing of certain types of information with others (including parents and legal guardians) without the student's expressed, written consent. This means that the ODA is, by law, unable to speak with a student's parents/guardians or healthcare providers in more than generalities without a Release of Information (ROI) form signed by the student. Students wanting to have an ROI form on file can contact the ODA office for instructions on how to complete the form. Please note that ROI forms filed with other departments do not transfer to the ODA.