Developing fair demonstrations using accommodations

The purpose of providing various assessment strategies is to minimize the impact of the learners' disabilities on their performance. Accommodations help learners to be on a more equal footing with non-disabled adult learners. Accommodations don't make it easier for learners, just possible. The use of accommodations does not give adults any additional advantage. When accommodations are provided, improvements in learners' performances are a result of their actual abilities. When poor performances are evident they are usually reflections of adults' learning disabilities. All adults with learning disabilities do not need accommodations. They should only be used when the current format does not permit demonstrations of learning. If learners have difficulty with their reading comprehension, allowing them extra time to complete an exam only allows them time to implement some of their comprehensive strategies; it does not give them an advantage over the other learners. Learners are still required to demonstrate their comprehensive skills just like all of the other learners who are taking the exam.

Accommodations for testing of skills fall under the following categories: time or schedule of the assessment, test directions, presentation of the questions, learner response to questions and the setting or environment.

The following are examples of accommodations:

• Avoid complicated language in test questions
• Consider other forms of assessment such as hands on demonstrations, open book exam
• Provide material in large print, which may be easier for learners to process
• Avoid answer sheets where learners have to transfer their answers, especially for learners with perceptual problems
• Have a person read the test, or provide audiotape questions and allow extra time for learners with reading difficulties
• Allow learners with writing difficulties to record their answers on tape, provide oral answers to the examiner, use personal computers or offer multiple choice questions instead of long answers
• Permit the use of dictionaries, thesaurus' and/or calculators during testing
• Provide separate testing area s to reduce distractions