Requesting Accommodations

We value a collaborative process as we work with eligible students to establish appropriate accommodations. Please submit requests and documentation early enough to allow staff sufficient time to review the request, conduct the intake interview, and implement approved reasonable accommodations and services. Self-report, historic information, and third-party documentation are used to inform decisions on relevant access issues. Each request is considered on an individual basis.

Requesting accommodations from the Office of Accessibility & Accommodations is a three-part process:

  1. Self-identification
  2. Providing disability information/documentation
  3. Review and follow up

Our goal is to understand how your disability impacts you so that the appropriate plan can be developed. We value hearing your experiences, history, and perspective. The more information you can share with us, the better it will help us determine your individual needs. 

Please note: Requests made for the current semester will be processed in the order in which they are received.

Requests made for future semesters will be reviewed following this timeline:

Students should follow the steps below to request disability-related accommodations:

1. Self-identify and complete the appropriate request form  

  • The first part of this process is to self-identify as a student with a disability requesting accommodations. Self-identify means the student recognizes they have a disability and would like to request accommodations. Under Sec. 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act as amended and A.R.S. § 15-1811 (the primary anti-discrimination laws that apply to students at EIU), if a student with a disability believes they need an accommodation, it is the student’s responsibility to identify themselves as having a disability and making an accommodation request. This is a change from elementary or high school, where the school was responsible for identifying students with disabilities.
  • Please review the Reasonable Accommodation Analysis process and the appropriate documentation requirements prior to beginning the appropriate request form: Academic and Housing (non-ESA) Accommodation Request form or Emotional Support Animal Request Form
  • This form should be completed by the student requesting to receive accommodations. Students needing assistance with completing the form may reach out to the OAA.

IMPORTANT: It may take up to four weeks to review and/or process your information/documentation. Freshman and new students are strongly encouraged to request accommodations from the Office of Accessibility & Accommodations as early as possible after admittance to Eastern Illinois University. Current students may request accommodations at any time but are encouraged to make their requests for accommodations as soon as they become aware of a need for one.

 

2. Provide disability information/documentation  

In order to evaluate accommodation and service requests, the Office of Accessibility & Accommodations will need information regarding:

  1. That you have a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits a major life activity.
  2. How your disability is likely to impact you here at Eastern Illinois University.

Documentation can be submitted electronically while completing the Accommodation Request form.

Please see the appropriate page(s) for documentation criteria and suggested/necessary forms for the type of accommodation you are requesting:

If students do not currently have access to their documentation, they can submit documentation via email, fax, mail, or drop it off directly in the Office of Accessibility & Accommodations:

  • Email: accommodations@eiu.edu
  • Fax: 217-581-7208
  • Campus Location: 1336 McAfee Gym
  • Mail:
    Office of Accessibility & Accommodations
    Eastern Illinois University
    600 Lincoln Ave.
    Charleston, IL 61920

3. Review and Follow Up  

Once all appropriate documentation is received, our office will conduct a review. After OAA reviews your request and documentation, we will reach out via email to your EIU account with one of the following responses:

  • To ask for additional information or clarification
  • To schedule an intake meeting to further discuss your accommodation request
  • To notify you of the accommodation decision and next steps 

Additional information may be needed through an email, a quick phone call, or a scheduled intake meeting that can be conducted in person or virtually through Microsoft Teams. Not all accommodation requests will require an intake meeting. You may request a meeting at any time even if the OAA does not require an intake meeting with you in order to determine reasonable accommodations. You have the right to meet to discuss your request or to clarify or obtain additional information. 

Each request is considered on an individual basis. This process may be brief, or it may require various exchanges between the student and OAA about the nature of the disability and the accommodations requested in order to determine the most appropriate accommodations needed to ensure equal access. 

Determination of Accommodations

OAA may approve or deny requested accommodations based on the information provided in the request form under Step 1, contained in the documentation supplied under Step 2, and from any additional information obtained in Step 3. 

The factors that will be considered in making accommodation decisions are:

If you have requested a specific accommodation, EIU may offer that accommodation, or it may offer an effective alternative.

Please note: Accommodations are not retroactive and can only be applied beginning on the date of approval.

Notification of Eligibility & Accommodations

When the determination about your request has been completed, an email will be sent to your EIU email address regarding your eligibility status and accommodation determinations.

This policy has been approved for use as of August 14, 2026.  The institution reserves the right to update this policy, as appropriate, at any time.

Webpage last updated 08/14/2026