What to Know About ADA Accommodations
Applying for accommodations under the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) shouldn’t be a mysterious process. Here’s what your students need to know before they apply.
ARRT is pleased to comply with the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA). We’ll provide appropriate testing accommodations if students demonstrate that:
- They have a current and professionally diagnosed ADA-qualifying disability.
- Their disability results in substantial functional limitations that affect daily activities as compared to most people.
- The requested accommodations are reasonable and intended to provide access to the exam (not to enhance performance or attain a certain outcome).
Keep in mind that not every diagnosed condition rises to the level of a disability as the ADA defines it. Students who receive accommodations during their educational programs don’t necessarily qualify for similar adaptations for our exams.
And students shouldn’t request accommodations if they don’t need them. See our companion article.
What Are Accommodations?
Accommodations are changes appropriate to a task and setting. They might include additional time to complete an exam, a separate testing room, or access to snacks for people who have diabetes. Students don’t need to request accommodations for comfort aids, such as an inhaler, crutches, or eye drops.
Accommodations can’t change the number of questions on an exam---or the content the exam covers. They don’t guarantee improved performance, a passing score, or any specific outcome.
Students must request ADA accommodations each time they apply or reapply for an ARRT credential—including on re-examination attempts.
How to Apply for Accommodations
Students should start by answering yes to the question about ADA accommodations on the application for ARRT certification and registration. After we receive the application, instructions about applying for accommodations will appear on students’ confirmation pages.
In most cases, they’ll need to submit current supporting documentation from a qualified evaluator and a personal statement describing their disability. These Paradigm Testing guidelines provide more information about documentation requirements.
We’ll place ARRT applications on hold until students submit their accommodations requests and Paradigm Testing processes them. Students won’t be able to schedule their exams until we send them a decision letter.
If Students Request Accommodations by Mistake
If students accidentally answer yes to the question about accommodations, they should let us know by logging in to their online ARRT accounts and sending a message through Message Center. They should choose the category Earning a Credential.
If Paradigm Testing Denies Accommodations
If Paradigm Testing denies accommodations based on documentation, students may appeal the decision by providing additional information. Once the accommodations review is complete, we’ll send students a decision through the U.S. Postal Service.
If Students Don’t Contact Paradigm Testing
If students request accommodations on their applications, but don't submit a request to Paradigm Testing within a year, we’ll process the application without accommodations and assign an exam window. At that point, we can’t grant any ADA accommodations.
If students decide they’d rather take the test without accommodations, they should log in to their online ARRT accounts and send a message through Message Center. They should choose the category Earning a Credential.
Questions?
If students have questions, they may use Message Center or call ARRT at 651.687.0048. They should choose the option for earning an ARRT credential.
If you have questions, use one of these options to contact us.
- Call 651.687.0048 and choose the option for Program Directors.
- Email programdirectors@arrt.org.