Is there ever a cut-off for when I may seek accommodations during the semester? Do faculty have to provide these accommodations?

There are numerous reasons why a student makes a late request. Perhaps he or she could not get documentation of his or her disability any earlier and, therefore, could not initiate accommodations earlier. Some students try to take a class without accommodations, but find that they aren't doing well and need accommodations. Whatever the reason, students may make requests for accommodations any time during the semester.

On the other hand, there may be some situations where students make a request for accommodations so late that appropriate arrangements cannot practically or reasonably be made. An example of such a request might be a student requesting an entire textbook be converted to alternate format at the end of a semester.

The University is obligated to provide accommodations only at the point when a student makes a request, and faculty and the DSS office are able to make appropriate arrangements. The student is too late if he or she reveals a disability after the completion of a class and requests a change in grading basis to Credit/No Credit or a deletion of a poor grade, for example.  Accommodations are not provided retroactively.