Office of Accessibility & Accommodations | OAA
Disability services at Pacific University are coordinated by the Office of Accessibility and Accommodations (OAA). You may visit our Getting Started page to get registered with our office or contact oaa@pacificu.edu for assistance.
OAA coordinates educational accommodations for students with a documented disability or condition that may limit their activities and/or academic achievements. Disabilities may be physical or learning related, and may be permanent or temporary.
OAA serves Pacific University students of all academic levels on all Pacific University campuses.
To help them succeed, Pacific University welcomes students to be forthcoming about their status and needs at any time. Visit our Getting Started page for more information.
Resources
Text-to-Speech in Moodle LockDown Browser
Text-to-Speech tools for general use
Center for Learning & Student Success (CLASS- tutoring)
For Students
Important: If your exam accommodations include an exam reader, scribe, or other testing accommodations that may require additional preparatory time, please note this in the request to OAA and your professor so that we are able to obtain the necessary items prior to your scheduled exam.
If you have a "memory aid" accommodation: Before each exam, make an appointment with your Professor to discuss what you believe your memory aid should look like and how they prefer to approve it for OAA. All memory aids must be pre-approved by your professor before OAA will allow their use during an assessment.
For Faculty
Viewing Accommodation Notices & Adding Exams in Accommodate
Additional Faculty Information
Please note: OAA does not have any access to control exam time limits set in Moodle/ExamSoft/Other platforms. Only course professors and/or program staff have the ability to do that.
CETCI Workshop Series
The Office of Accessibility and Accommodations is thrilled to partner with CETCI to present a new workshop series focused on building inclusive learning environments that support students with formal accommodations. Over these five sessions, we'll explore the accommodation process as well as effective pedagogical and technical strategies that make our classrooms more accessible to learners of diverse abilities. We’ll also discuss how these approaches not only support students requiring specific accommodations but enhance the learning experience for everyone in your course.
The workshops in the series are:
Understanding Accommodations: A Workshop by the Office of Accessibility and Accommodations
Tuesday, February 4, 4:00 - 5:00 (Online over Zoom)
The Office of Accessibility and Accommodations (OAA) staff will provide a comprehensive overview of Pacific's accommodation process. Participants will learn about the importance of accommodations, what accommodations are and are not, faculty responsibilities, how OAA evaluates reasonableness of accommodations, and how to address concerns. The session will walk faculty through the entire process, from initial student requests to practical implementation steps, including guidance on available support resources. The workshop will also cover the legal foundations of accommodation requirements under the Americans with Disabilities Act, Section 504, and Pacific's obligations to our students.
From Accommodation to Inclusivity - Classroom Accommodation Requests as Opportunities to Teach More Inclusively
Wednesday, February 5, 4:00-5:00 (Online over Zoom)
Responding to student requests for accommodations can be daunting, especially when they require changes to the way we do things in our classrooms. This is especially true when it feels like we have to change many components of our courses to accommodate the needs of one student. However, many common (and some not-so-common) accommodation requests can actually improve learning for all students. Specifically, accommodations that request alternative ways for students to engage (e.g., participation, presentations, exams and other assessments, etc.) present an opportunity for us to consider multiple ways that students might engage with course content, each other, and their own learning. At this workshop, we will look at some examples of accommodation requests and discuss how adjusting our practices and habits to meet these accommodations can make our teaching more effective and inclusive.
Implementing Student Accommodations in Moodle
Thursday, February 6, 4:00 - 4:45 (Online over Zoom)
Many students benefit from extra support when using Moodle. Some require additional time or attempts to complete quizzes, tests, or assignments, while others may need printed materials. This workshop offers faculty practical guidance on using Moodle to meet the needs of students with formal accommodations and create a more inclusive course site.
Participants will learn how to set up extra time and attempts for tests and assignments, create printed versions of exams, and configure quizzes and assignments for accessibility. The session will also cover simple strategies and tools to help students improve focus and access course materials using assistive technologies.
Using Technology to Meet Common Classroom Accommodations
Tuesday, February 11,1:30-2:30 (AuCoin 204, Forest Grove)
As our understanding of disability develops, more and more students are requesting accommodations to help them to access higher education. In some cases, we can make simple changes in the classroom to improve access; in others, we can design our classes with accessibility in mind such that many requests are anticipated.
In this session, we will look at a number of common classroom accommodation requests, such as creating and receiving permission for audio recordings and class transcripts and providing alternative means of participation. We will then discuss elegant ways to address these requests using Pacific’s smart podiums, online tools such as Zoom, and other classroom technologies while respecting privacy and promoting equity. These solutions not only support students with accommodations but enhance learning opportunities for all students in your course.
Creating Accessible Course Materials: From PDFs to Presentations
Wednesday, February 12, 4:00 - 5:00 (Online over Zoom)
Having accessible digital materials, from presentation slides to PDFs, is essential for ensuring all students can fully engage with course content. This workshop equips faculty with practical strategies for designing materials that meet accessibility needs and support diverse learning needs.
Participants will learn how to identify and create accessible documents, presentations, and other multimedia content. They will also explore how to use tools like headings, alt text, and captions to enhance accessibility.
Click on the links above to register or go to our website to see the full list of sessions.
If you have any questions, please send a message to edtech@pacificu.edu and we will be back in touch shortly! Thanks so much and I look forward to seeing you at our series!
Contact Us
Office of Accessibility & Accommodations
oaa@pacificu.edu | Clark Hall 226
503-352-2194