Academic Accommodations

Equal Access for Every Otter

At Cal State Monterey Bay, we believe all students deserve full access to educational opportunities. The Student Disability and Accessibility Center (SDAC) ensures that students with documented disabilities receive reasonable and effective academic accommodations.

Accommodations are designed to remove barriers — not lower standards — and are implemented through a collaborative process between the student, SDAC, and instructors.

What Are Academic Accommodations?

Academic accommodations are adjustments or supports that provide students with equal access to learning and assessment. These might include:

• Extended time for tests and quizzes
• Note-taking assistance or permission to record lectures
• Alternative formats for course materials (e.g., digital, audio)
• Accessible classroom seating or locations
• Sign-language interpretation or live captioning
• Breaks during exams
• Use of assistive technology

Accommodations are individualized and depend on the functional impact of the student’s disability and their course requirements.

How to Get Started

1. Register with SDAC

   Submit an application through the SDAC portal. Medical or psychological documentation is helpful, but not always required.

2. Meet with a Disability Advisor

   Participate in an interactive process to determine what accommodations are appropriate.

3. Share Your Accommodation Letter

   SDAC will issue an official letter each semester for you to share with instructors.

4. Communicate and Follow Up

   Meet with your instructors to review implementation. Let SDAC know if changes are needed.

5. Start Early

   The sooner you begin the process, the easier it is to ensure your accommodations are in place when classes start.

Your Rights and Responsibilities

As a student, you have the right to:

• Equal access to education and campus programs
• Reasonable accommodations that support your learning
• Confidentiality of your disability information

You also have the responsibility to:

• Request accommodations in a timely manner
• Communicate clearly with faculty and SDAC
• Follow accommodation guidelines and processes

For more information, visit the Getting Started page or email SDAC at sdac@csumb.edu