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 approved by the Office of Disability Services based on the functional limitations cause by your disability.  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 alternate text format request form) in order to receive your accommodations.

How do I request my Letter of Accommodations (LOA)?

Students who have been approved to receive a letter of accommodations must submit a Letter of Accommodations Request Form. Every RBHS nonmedical/nondental student seeking course accommodations is required to fill out the Letter of Accommodations request Form every semester they require accommodations. Medical and Dental students are required to fill out the Letter of Accommodations request form once every academic year.

How do my professors receive my Letters of Accommodations?

It is the student’s responsibility to request their Letter of Accommodation.  After the Office of Disability Services approves the request, your letters will be sent to the instructors for the courses you indicated in your request. Note: Medical students letters are sent to the school’s Office a Student Affairs and Dental students letters are sent to the Office of Academic Affairs. These offices will send letters to the appropriate faculty/school personnel.

It is important that the student and professor/school personnel have a clear understanding of what is agreed upon regarding the use and implementation of these accommodations.

Students are encouraged to request their letters of accommodations to their professor/school 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 ODS coordinator.

Sample Email Template to send to your Instructor

Below is a sample email you can use when sharing the LOA with your instructor.

Subject Line: Letter of Accommodation: (Your name)

Dear Professor/School 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 and have attached my Letter of Accommodation.

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)

More about Student Accommodations

Requesting Services for a Documented Disability

Disabilities and Accommodations 101 playlist

Included in the playlist above are the following videos:

• What is a Disability?
• Types of Disabilities
• Self-Advocacy and Confidentiality
• Applying for Accommodations and Documentation
• Accommodation Renewals
• Types of Accommodations and Resources