Accessibility vs. Accommodations: What’s the Difference?

Accessibility

• Proactive approach
• Embedded in the design
• Made to be available to as many users as possible, regardless of ability

Accommodations

• Reactive approach.
• Done after the design.
• Modification to the procedure, policy, activity, material, or events when they are not accessible to a person with a disability.
• There must be an established connection between the symptoms of the person’s disability and the identified barrier.
• Cannot create a fundamental alteration to the nature of the course.

Who Plays A Role For Each of These?

• Accessibility – EVERYONE on campus, including faculty, staff, and course designers
• Accommodations – EAC determines, applicable party implements

Attributions

Thank you to the Education Access Center at Boise State University for their valuable contribution to this book. Their continued support, thoughtful consultations, and commitment to helping the student body navigate accommodations are deeply appreciated. Their knowledge and expertise play an important role in supporting a learning environment where all students can succeed.