Student Testing Accommodations
The following information is provided to help students understand their rights and responsibilities for accessing accommodations in an online testing environment. If you have any questions regarding the information provided below, please contact sastesting@nipissingu.ca
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Specific Accommodation |
Respondus LockDown Browser (LDB) with Monitor |
All other online assessments (including LockDown Browser without Monitor) |
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Additional Time |
Faculty is responsible for providing additional time except for Final Exams using LockDown Browser, which is coordinated by SAS. |
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Distraction-Reduced Environment |
It is your responsibility to find an appropriate space to write. If this is not possible, contact your Accessibility Consultant to discuss possible options. |
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Devices including fidgets, calculators, medical monitors… |
During the pre-test scan, you must show the object to the camera and state out loud that you will use it as per your accommodations. If you need to use a medical device, please state it clearly out loud and show the camera. |
Accommodations as usual. |
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Memory Aids/Cue Sheets |
Memory Aids MUST be pre-approved by the instructor as per the SAS policy. During the pre-test scan, you must show the approved memory aid to the camera and state out loud that you will use it as per your accommodations. |
Accommodations as usual. |
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Noise Cancelling Headphones |
SAS recommends the use of earplugs instead of headphones. During the pre-test scan, you must show the earplugs to the camera and state out loud that that you will be using them as per your accommodations. |
There are no restrictions on the use of Noise Cancelling Headphones. |
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White Noise/Background Music |
As headphones are NOT required, please make use of an external device for sound. Ensure you have no reason to go to the device. TURN OFF ALL NOTIFICATIONS AND SOUNDS. |
Accommodations as usual. Headphones are permitted. |
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Noise Cancelling Headphones with music, background noise or Adaptive Technology |
During the pre-test scan, you must show the headphones to the camera and state out loud that that you will be using them as per your accommodations. |
Accommodations as usual. Headphones are permitted. |
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Spell and Grammar Check |
Whereas Respondus LockDown Browser has a built-in spell check; there is no built-in grammar check. If you have any concerns, please contact your Accessibility Consultant. |
Whereas Respondus LockDown Browser has a built-in spell check; there is no built-in grammar check. If you have any concerns, please contact your Accessibility Consultant. All other assessments: Accommodations as usual. |
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Text-To-Speech |
The only available TTS function in LockDown Browser is TextAid. BEFORE EACH assessment, click the TextAid Link above your testing link. Contact sastesting@nipissingu.ca if you have questions or concerns. |
The only available TTS function in LockDown Browser is TextAid. BEFORE EACH assessment, click the TextAid Link above your testing link. All other assessments: Students may use the Text-To-Speech software of their choice other than TextAid, which is not available outside LDB. Contact sastesting@nipissingu.ca if you have questions or concerns. |
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Voice-To-Text |
Windows users: You need Dragon Naturally Speaking. Click here to see instructions specific to LDB and Dragon Naturally Speaking. Mac users: Use the built-in voice-to-text called Dictate. Check your Mac settings to see what buttons turn on Dictate. During the pre-test scan, you must show the headphones to the camera and state out loud that you will be using them as per your accommodations. Contact sastesting@nipissingu.ca if you have questions or concerns. |
Windows users: You need Dragon Naturally Speaking. Click here to see instructions specific to LDB and Dragon Naturally Speaking. Mac users: Use the built-in voice-to-text called Dictate. Check your Mac settings to see what buttons turn on Dictate. Contact sastesting@nipissingu.ca if you have questions or concerns. All other assessments: You may use your preferred Voice-to Text, Speech Recognition tool. |
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Medical Accommodations and Medical Emergencies |
If you have a medical condition that requires you to access food, medicine, or a device or if you have to leave the testing space state the situation clearly to the camera and proceed. When possible, it is recommended that you stay within the camera’s view. |
Accommodations as usual. |
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Scribe/Reader/Interpreter |
If you require a Scribe/Reader or Interpreter contact sastesting@nipissingu.ca within 10 days of your assessment to give SAS time to make arrangements. |
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Scrap Paper |
During the pre-test scan, state out loud that you will use scrap paper and show both sides of the BLANK pages to the camera. |
Accommodations as usual. |
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Breaks and Washroom |
When using a rest, pain or washroom break, state out loud that you will be doing so as per your accommodations. When possible, it is recommended that you stay within the camera’s view for rest and pain breaks. |
Accommodations as usual. |
Faculty Testing Information
The following details pertain to the use of accommodations by SAS students during online testing. If at any time you have questions or concerns, please email sastesting@nipissingu.ca and we will be happy to discuss them.
|
Specific Accommodation |
Respondus LockDown Browser (LDB) with Monitor |
All other online assessments (including LDB without Monitor) |
|
Additional Time |
Faculty is responsible for providing additional time except for Final Exams using LockDown Browser, which is coordinated by SAS. Click on this Blackboard-Setting up exceptions video for instructions or contact the Learning Systems Technologist for your faculty for assistance. |
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Text-To-Speech
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The only available text-to-speech function in LockDown Browser is TextAid. Students will be provided full instructions. |
The only available text-to-speech function in LockDown Browser is TextAid. Faculty are responsible for making TextAid available to all courses using LockDown Browser. Full instructions on what to do can be found in the Secure Testing Link provided in the Teaching Hub YouTube channel. Students will be provided full instructions. All other assessments: Students may use the Text-To-Speech software of their choice other than TextAid, which is not available outside LDB.
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Paper Version of Online Assessments |
SAS will need to be provided an accessible, hard-copy version.
See the attached document for details on how to provide this accommodation. |
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Devices including fidgets, calculators, medical monitors… |
During the pre-test scan, students will show the object to the camera and state out loud it will be used as per accommodations. We have recommended that they “check in” verbally if needing to use a medical device. |
Nothing to be addressed. |
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Calculators If the use of a calculator as an accommodation should be restricted in your course, please contact the student’s Accessibility Consultant. |
During the pre-test scan, students will show the calculator to the camera and state out loud that it will be used as an accommodation. |
Nothing to be addressed |
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Memory Aids/Cue Sheets |
Memory Aids MUST be pre-approved by the instructor as per the SAS policy. During the pre-test scan, students must show the approved memory aid to the camera and state out loud that it may be used as an accommodation. |
Nothing to be addressed |
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Noise Cancelling Headphones |
SAS cannot verify what students are listening to when using headphones. |
There are no restrictions on the use of headphones. |
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White Noise/Background Music |
As headphones are not required for this accommodations, SAS recommends the use of an external device for sound. |
There are no restrictions on the use of music or background noise.
Headphones are permitted. |
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Noise Cancelling Headphones with music, background noise or Adaptive Technology |
During the pre-test scan, students must show the headphones to the camera and state out loud that they are being used as per their accommodations. |
There are no restrictions on the use of headphones. |
|
Spell and Grammar Check |
Whereas Respondus LockDown Browser has a built-in spell check; there is no built-in grammar check. We ask that you consider the “grammar check” accommodation in assessing the student’s written answers. |
Whereas Respondus LockDown Browser has a built-in spell check; there is no built-in grammar check.
All other assessments: Nothing to address. |
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Voice-To-Text |
Voice-To-Text function is available in LDB and SAS students will be provided the necessary tools and instructions. |
Voice-To-Text function is available in LDB and SAS students will be provided the necessary tools and instructions. All other assessments: Students may use any preferred Voice-to Text or Speech Recognition tool. |
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Medical Accommodations and Medical Emergencies |
For students that have a medical condition that requires access food, medicine or a device OR may require they leave the testing room: Students have been asked to stay within the camera’s view. |
Nothing to address |
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Scribe/Reader/Interpreter |
If requested by the student, SAS will make arrangements to provide a Scribe/Reader or Interpreter. |
There are no restrictions on who can provide this accommodation. However, students can request arrangements be made by SAS to provide a Scribe/Reader or Interpreter. |
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Scrap Paper |
For students who have “Scrap paper” as an accommodation: During the pre-test scan, the student will state out loud that they will use scrap paper and show both sides of the BLANK pages to the camera. |
Nothing to address. |
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Breaks and Washroom |
When using a rest, pain or washroom break, the student will state out loud that they will be doing as per their accommodations. Students have been asked to stay within the camera’s view, when possible. |
Nothing to address. |
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SAS will be informing students of their responsibilities in accessing accommodations during online testing. |
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