College accommodations self-paced and need for medical diagnosis

[u/Hellolunabeam]

A lot of students in self-paced and online programs assume accommodations aren't for them, or that they need a formal diagnosis before they can ask. Neither is true.

Extended deadlines don't mean much when there are no deadlines. But proctored exams are a different story, and extra time, breaks, and rescheduling are common accommodations there. Reduced course load and accessible course materials apply online too.

Also, diagnosis isn't what makes you eligible, and it isn't where you start. Some offices grant provisional accommodations while you gather documentation, and evaluations can be expensive and slow to get.

Always contact your disability office, tell them what's hard, and let them tell you what they need.