Accommodate - Returning Student Step-by-Step Guide

This article covers step-by-step instructions for returning students on how to access and navigate their Accommodate portal.

South Dakota State University has implemented a new accommodation management platform called Accommodate. Your Accommodate portal will now house all information about your academic accommodations. Please follow the step-by-step instructions below to access and navigate your Accommodate portal. It is necessary to submit a semester request for accommodations every semester. It is beneficial to do this 2-3 weeks prior to the start of the semester.

1. Log-in to Accommodate here: https://sdstate-accommodate.symplicity.com/ using SDSU Single Sign On and select “Student.”
2. After you log-in you will arrive in the “Home” section.
3. Two to three weeks prior to the start of a new semester, you need to RENEW your accommodations. To do so, select “Accommodation” > “Semester Request” > “Add New.”
4. After selecting “Add New”
   1. Review your accommodations in the blue box, and then select the upcoming semester from the drop-down options.
   2. Your courses for that semester will appear in the right column.
   3. You can either:
      1. Submit the renewal for all accommodations for all courses OR
      2. Review the renewal to select specific accommodations for specific courses
5. Now, the Disability Services team knows you are requesting accommodations for the semester, and they will begin the process of approving your accommodations for your current courses.

How to Finalize Your Accommodation Process

1. Through your Jacks email, you will receive a request to sign into Accommodate and review and sign your Accommodation Letter for the current semester.  Signing your Accommodation Letter is critical to finalizing the accommodation process.
2. To view your accommodation letters, select “Accommodation” > “Accommodation Letters” > “Accommodation Memo.”
3. Read your “Accommodation Memo.” You are required to sign your Accommodation Memo. This is the same Accommodation Memo that is sent to your faculty. Sign it by typing your name in the required signature box. Once you have signed it select “Save.”
4. You have now completed the semester request process for accommodations. Your faculty have been emailed and instructed to login to Accommodate and are able to see your Accommodation Memos.
5. It is beneficial for you to communicate directly with your faculty regarding your accommodations and discuss your specific needs.

The following processes outline additional information regarding how to navigate the Accommodate platform.

Requesting Appointments with Disability Services Staff

1. To request an appointment with a Disability Services staff member, select “Appointment Request” > “Request New Appointment.”​​​​​​​
2. Note: When selecting your type of appointment, consider this: The first time you meet with Disability Services staff to discuss your accommodation needs select “Initial Meeting.” For all other meetings select “General Meeting.”
3. Note: Please select the Disability Services Staff you are interested in meeting with. If you have been previously working with a staff member, please select that individual. Nancy Hartenhoff-Crooks and Dan Hagen are full-time Disability Services staff members. RaiLeigh Strommen is a Disability Services Graduate Assistant with limited availability. Only schedule appointments with her if you have been instructed to do so.

Original Accessibility Request

1. To view your original accessibility request, select “Accommodation” > “Accessibility Request.”​​​​​​​

​​​​​​​Accommodation Letters/Memos

1. To view your accommodation letters, select “Accommodation” > “Accommodation Letters.”​​​​​​​
2. Once the letter is open, you have the option to print or generate a PDF of the accommodation letter. You will always be able to access your accommodation letters within Accommodate, so it is not necessary to print or generate a PDF unless you choose to do so.

Additional or Supplemental Accommodation Request

1. If at some point during the semester, you need to submit an ADDITIONAL REQUEST for additional supplemental accommodations, select “Accommodation” > “Supplemental” > “Add New.”​​​​​​​

Submitting a New Medical Document

1. To upload a new document, select “Accommodation” > “Documents” > “Add New Accessibility Document.”​​​​​​​

Disability Services Resources

1. To view resources uploaded by the Office of Disability Services, select “Resources” > “Resource Library.”​​​​​​​

Additional Accommodate training materials can be found at: SDState Support Center Accommodate Knowledge Base