Preferential Seating - OARS Accommodation

In order for a student to receive this accommodation, they must:

Be registered with the Office of Accessibility Resources and Services (OARS).
Be registered for this accommodation based on their needs.
Communicate with the professor that they intend to use their accommodations in the course.

Professors will first be alerted via receipt of the Faculty Notification Letter each semester by the student. If the student is registered for Preferential Seating it will be stated in the student's letter.

Accommodation Letter Text:

Preferential Seating: "The student should be given preferential seating based on the student's needs. OARS will work with the student to identify appropriate place to sit in the classroom based on their needs and the constraints of the classroom. It is the student’s responsibility to communicate to the professor the preferred location to sit in the classroom. It is the professor’s responsibility to honor the request of the student’s preferred location. If any issues arise they professor can communicate with OARS and the student to determine a different reasonable accommodation."

Back of the Classroom: "The student should be given preferential seating at the back of the classroom. It is the student’s responsibility to communicate with the professor what will be the most helpful seat in the classroom to sit in. It is the professor’s responsibility to ensure the student is able to utilize the needed seat during each class session."

By an Exit: "The student should be given preferential seating by an exit of the classroom. It is the student’s responsibility to communicate with the professor what will be the most helpful seat in the classroom to sit in. It is the professor’s responsibility to ensure the student is able to utilize the needed seat during each class session."

Front of the Classroom: "The student should be given preferential seating at the front of the classroom. It is the student’s responsibility to communicate with the professor what will be the most helpful seat in the classroom to sit in. It is the professor’s responsibility to ensure the student is able to utilize the needed seat during each class session."

Side of the Classroom: "The student should be given preferential seating at the side of the classroom. It is the student’s responsibility to communicate with the professor what will be the most helpful seat in the classroom to sit in. It is the professor’s responsibility to ensure the student is able to utilize the needed seat during each class session."

OARS Responsibility

Student Responsibility

Faculty Responsibility

Determine eligibility for Preferential Seating accommodation.

Send an email to the student prior to registration with instructions.

Be available to students to answer questions.

Communicate with the professor the intention to use this accommodation by sending the Faculty Notification Letter in a timely manner.

Communicate with the professor which seat will best meet the needs of their disability.

Work with the student to determine seat that will best accommodate their needs and ensure that student is able to use that seat for each class.

Communicate with OARS about any concerns with this accommodation.

Application in an online setting: Not applicable.

Qualification of accommodation: The accommodation is for students whose disability is best managed in an academic setting by sitting in a specific location within the classroom. An example is a student whose disability inhibits their ability to focus in classrooms settings, so sitting at the front of the room reduces distractions.