Q: Is the Accessible Education Center open?
A: AEC is currently working with students Monday – Friday 8AM - 5PM via phone, video or email. All AEC functions are available remotely, including but not limited to access advising, support navigating accommodations, and assistance with faculty communication. If you have a question or concern, or to schedule an appointment please contact AEC at (541) 346-1155, email uoaec@uoregon.edu or use our online form. Appointments are available over the phone or virtually via Microsoft Teams*. The AEC Accessible Technology program is available to students with questions about assistive technologies and accessible course formats via altformat@uoregon.edu.
*All registered University of Oregon students are encouraged to download Microsoft Teams for free.
Q: I’m taking an exam online and it doesn’t look like my accommodation for extended time has been implemented.
A: If you log in to a Canvas exam and notice that your extended time has not been applied, please email your instructor and copy aectesting@uoregon.edu immediately. Your instructor may not be able to remediate the situation retroactively, so it is important that you email your instructor as soon as you notice any issues.
Q: How will AEC conduct remote appointments?
A: The Accessible Education Center and many other units on campus are moving to remote advising by phone and using Microsoft Teams. This application is free to all UO students, faculty and staff. Download the app to your phone or computer in advance of your remote advising appointment. Students may elect to have either a phone or a video chat appointment.
Q: Is the Access Shuttle currently operating?
A: At this time Access Shuttle services are suspended. Please check the Access Shuttle website for updates on potential changes.
Q: How do I notify my instructors of my accommodations?
A: Notification Letters will be sent as usual. Log into AEC Connect to send your Notification Letters either in advance of the term, or early in the term (ideally during week 1). Review your course syllabus and connect with your instructor to discuss how your accommodations may apply to their course.
Q: I anticipate disability-related challenges in one or more of my courses and would like to request new or additional accommodations. What steps should I take?
A: Contact our front desk to set up an appointment with one of our advisors. You may do so by calling 541-346-1155 or by using the online scheduling tool. If accommodations are related to a new experience of disability or one for which you are not already receiving formal AEC support, please provide documentation of disability, if at all possible, prior to your appointment. This can be emailed to uoaec@uoregon.edu or faxed to 541-346-6013.
Q: How will my testing accommodations be facilitated?
A: AEC will not be proctoring exams for University classes being conducted remotely. Please log in to AEC Connect to send your Notification Letters* and communicate with your instructors to discuss your exam accommodations in their courses. If you have questions or concerns about your testing accommodations, please contact aectesting@uoregon.edu.
*Please note: When requesting your notification letters, testing accommodations are grouped under the category titled "Alternative Testing". To view your established accommodations, log in to AEC Connect and click "My Eligibility" on the left toolbar.
Q: What about other accommodations that I usually use?
A: Students who utilize accommodations such as sign language interpreters, captioning, and document conversion should be in communication directly with AEC who can assist with instructor coordination to identify the most effective approaches for remote class access. If you have questions or concerns about how your accommodations will be facilitated in a remote setting, please contact our office to set up an appointment with an advisor: call 541-346-1155, email uoaec@uoregon.edu, or use our online scheduling tool.
Q: What about barriers I experience related to class policies?
A: Reasonable modifications to class policies, such as attendance and deadlines, may still be appropriate in the remote environment. Please connect with your instructors to discuss use and limitations of this accommodation in their course proactively (prior to needing it) and consult with your Access Advisor as needed.
Q: How will my notetaking accommodations be facilitated?
A: Students are encouraged to review the structure of each course before requesting notetaking accommodations. Many classes may be recorded which may remove barriers related to notetaking in some cases. If you find that you still need a peer notetaker for a course, you can confirm your need for notetaking as usual via AEC Connect. Students who have used technological supports for notetaking (such as Sonocent Audio Notetaker) will still have those resources available to them. If you have questions or concerns regarding taking notes for classes in a remote setting, we encourage you to schedule an appointment with your advisor to discuss your options.
Q: What do I do if I am unable to access documentation of disability?
A: Please work directly with an Access Advisor to discuss your specific situation and what support may be possible, including assistance in accessing documentation, or setting up provisional accommodations. Some practitioners in the area are starting to do in-person assessments.
Q: Can I get assistance with sending out my Notification Letters through AEC Connect?
A: Yes. Information is available in both text format and a video tutorial on our website.
You may also contact the AEC to request a remote appointment for an “AEC Connect Orientation”. During this appointment, you will learn how to access your AEC Connect student portal and send out Notification Letters to your instructors.
Q: I checked out an Echo/Smartpen last term and still have it. How do I return it to AEC?
A: If you are remaining in the Eugene area or will be back, we ask that you take care of the equipment and return it when possible. If you will be leaving the area, you can contact our office to arrange a drop-off.
Q: I’m not deaf/hard of hearing, but captioned videos are helpful. If my professor doesn’t put them up, can the AEC help me get them?
A: If you have a specific disability that creates barriers to viewing video materials without captions, work with your access advisor to make sure you can access course materials, including videos.
Faculty Questions
Q: Where can I get more information about making my course more accessible?
A: The Provost's Office has prepared Academic Continuity Resources and Guidance; AEC has created Accessibility Guidelines for Remote Courses to go along with this information, including how to record lectures.
Q: How do I make sure students get the testing accommodations that are outlined in the AEC notification letter?
A: Instructors who administer timed online exams, are responsible for adjusting exam lengths to facilitate extended time accommodations. For help, refer to this Canvas guide. Please note that availability windows set in Canvas still apply even after you moderate a quiz to include extended time. For assistance with adjusting availability windows for Canvas exams refer to this guidance from TEP.
Q: I would prefer students attend my scheduled remote class time. Why would I also record my lecture?
A: Many students may face challenges with accessing a course at a specific time for numerous reasons, including time zones, distractions, pets, children, etc. For students with an accommodation of flexibility with attendance policy, recording lectures will ensure your course is accessible and provides the accommodation. Academic Council has set the following general guidance for Fall 2020: instructors may count attendance and participation as part of the grade provided they have reasonable ways for students to complete make-up assignments for missed class sessions or participation points without loss of credit. Although instructors will not be required to add recording or streaming to all in-person classes to accommodate absentee students, all students should have equitable access to course content. This could include recording some class sessions or allowing remote access where the Instructor decides that this is possible and appropriate.
Q: How do I enable transcription in Zoom?
A: Zoom provides two options for auto-generated transcription: live transcription during meetings and transcripts for meetings recorded to the cloud. Please note that auto-generated transcripts may not be accurate enough to meet specific accommodation needs, so there may be cases where AEC reaches out to you with further information. As a universal design strategy, we recommend that faculty enable both live transcription and transcription for cloud recordings.