What is Accommodate?
The Office of Disability Services utilizes Accommodate, a secure, web-based system, for managing student disability accommodations. It allows students to submit accommodation requests each semester and helps faculty access accommodation letters efficiently and securely within one digital platform. As of fall 2025, all institutions within the South Dakota Board of Regents system will utilize Accommodate to manage student disability accommodations.
How will I receive accommodation letters now?
Once a student submits their accommodation request through Accommodate, you will receive an automated email with a secure link to view their accommodation letter. The email will be sent from the Accommodate system to your faculty email.
Will accommodation letters still come from the Office of Disability Services directly?
No. The Office of Disability Services will still generate the accommodation letters, but now the accommodation letters will be housed within the secure Accommodate platform. You will receive an automated email from the Accommodate system to your faculty email with a secure link to view accommodation letters within the Accommodate system.
What if I have questions about a student’s accommodations?
Contact the Office of Disability Services (ODS). We are here to support you in understanding and implementing accommodations appropriately.
Nancy Hartenhoff-Crooks – Assistant Director
Dan Hagen – Accommodations Specialist
Office: 605-688-5585
Do I need to create an Accommodate account as a faculty member?
No account creation is required. Your students’ accommodation letters are accessible via a secure link sent directly to your faculty email. The link will connect you with the Accommodate platform, and you will log in using your SDSU SSO credentials. If you would like a walkthrough or to preview the system, visit: https://sdstate-accommodate.symplicity.com/
Do students still need to request accommodations each semester?
Yes. Students are responsible for initiating their accommodation requests at the start of each semester. We encourage them to do this 2–3 weeks before classes begin.
When can students request accommodations?
Students may request accommodations at any point during the semester. However, accommodations are not retroactive. You are expected to implement approved accommodations starting from the date you receive the official Accommodation Letter.
How can I support students who are unfamiliar with the new system?
Encourage them to reach out to ODS for help navigating Accommodate. ODS staff are available to assist students through this transition.
What should I do if I have concerns about how to implement an accommodation in my course?
Reach out to ODS as early as possible. We can discuss options, collaborate on solutions, and ensure that students’ rights and academic integrity are maintained.
What are the benefits of this system for faculty?
- Secure, consistent communication of students’ accommodations
- Ability to view all accommodations letters/memos in one convenient location
- Ability to filter and view all accommodation letters/memos by course