What is a Letter of Accommodations?
A Letter of Accommodations (LOA) is a document provided by the Office of Disability Services that explains to faculty the reasonable accommodations to be provided to a student. The Letter of Accommodations is given to students who have met all of the following criteria:
- Submitted appropriate documentation to verify their disability.
- Met with a representative from the Office of Disability Services.
- Have been approved as an individual who is covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act, Amendments Act (ADAAA) of 2008.
- Are eligible to receive reasonable accommodations at Rutgers University.
The letter contains course accommodations recommended by the Office of Disability Services based on the student's disability. You can learn more by watching a brief video that describes what a Letter of Accommodation is. Remember that the Letter of Accommodations is just the first step in implementing your accommodations. You may still need to complete other request forms (such as a notetaking or exam request form) in order to actually receive your accommodations.
How do I request my Letter of Accommodations?
Students who have been approved to receive a letter of accommodations must submit a Letter of Accommodations Request Form. Every student seeking course accommodations is required to fill out the LOA Form every semester they require accommodations. You can learn more by watching a brief video on how to request your LOA.
How do I submit my Letter of Accommodations to my professors?
When you request your Letter of Accommodation, it is sent from our office to both you and your professor.
It is important that the student and professor have a clear understanding of what is agreed upon regarding the use and implementation of these accommodations.
Students are encouraged to submit their LOA to their professor as early in the semester as possible. However, it should be understood that under some circumstances (e.g., student was approved for accommodations later in the semester, student was recently diagnosed) the student may submit their letter later in the semester.
Students with questions regarding their Letters of Accommodations should contact their coordinator.
Sample Email Template
Below is a sample email you can use when connecting with your instructor about how your accommodations will be implemented.
Subject Line: Letter of Accommodation: (Your name)
Dear Professor name,
I am a student in your course name and number course. I have been approved to receive accommodations through the Office of Disability Services, as you know from the Letter of Accommodation you received.
I would like to set up a time to discuss this information with you to determine how we will implement these accommodations and to answer any questions you may have. If possible, could we have the conversation via (Choose your preference) e-mail, phone call, video call? When is most convenient for you?
My contact information is as follows:
Your Name
Email Address
Phone number
Thank you for your attention to this matter and I hope to hear from you soon.
Sincerely,
(Your Name)
Student Portal
The ODS Student Portal is where you can find out if you have submitted your requests for this semester and their status. Although you cannot submit requests or changes through the Portal, you can see the latest updates to your requests in real time.
