Online Testing Accommodations

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

Specific Accommodation	Respondus LockDown Browser (LDB) with Monitor	All other online assessments (including LockDown Browser without Monitor)
Specific Accommodation Additional Time	Respondus LockDown Browser (LDB) with Monitor Faculty is responsible for providing additional time except for Final Exams using LockDown Browser, which is coordinated by SAS.
Specific Accommodation Distraction-Reduced Environment	Respondus LockDown Browser (LDB) with Monitor It is your responsibility to find an appropriate space to write. If this is not possible, contact your Accessibility Consultant to discuss possible options.
Specific Accommodation Devices including fidgets, calculators, medical monitors…	Respondus LockDown Browser (LDB) with Monitor 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.	All other online assessments (including LockDown Browser without Monitor) Accommodations as usual.
Specific Accommodation Memory Aids/Cue Sheets	Respondus LockDown Browser (LDB) with Monitor 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.	All other online assessments (including LockDown Browser without Monitor) Accommodations as usual.
Specific Accommodation Noise Cancelling Headphones	Respondus LockDown Browser (LDB) with Monitor 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.	All other online assessments (including LockDown Browser without Monitor) There are no restrictions on the use of Noise Cancelling Headphones.
Specific Accommodation White Noise/Background Music	Respondus LockDown Browser (LDB) with Monitor As headphones are NOT required, please make use of an external device for sound. During the pre-test scan, you must show the phone or device to the camera and state out loud that that you will be listening to music/noise as per your accommodations.  Then very clearly place this device away from the computer, preferably within the camera’s view. PRESS PLAY. Ensure you have no reason to go to the device. TURN OFF ALL NOTIFICATIONS AND SOUNDS.	All other online assessments (including LockDown Browser without Monitor) Accommodations as usual. Headphones are permitted.
Specific Accommodation Noise Cancelling Headphones with music, background noise or Adaptive Technology	Respondus LockDown Browser (LDB) with Monitor 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.	All other online assessments (including LockDown Browser without Monitor) Accommodations as usual. Headphones are permitted.
Specific Accommodation Spell and Grammar Check	Respondus LockDown Browser (LDB) with Monitor 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 online assessments (including LockDown Browser without Monitor) 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.
Specific Accommodation Text-To-Speech (TTS)	Respondus LockDown Browser (LDB) with Monitor The only available TTS function in LockDown Browser is TextAid. To use TextAid please review the instructional video and required steps at least 5 days in advance. This video is also within the course shell under the “Secure Testing Information”. View it before your first TextAid attempt. BEFORE EACH assessment, click the TextAid Link above your testing link. Contact sastesting@nipissingu.ca if you have questions or concerns.	All other online assessments (including LockDown Browser without Monitor) The only available TTS function in LockDown Browser is TextAid. To use TextAid please review the instructional video and required steps at least 5 days in advance. This video is also within the course shell under the “Secure Testing Information”. View it before your first TextAid attempt. 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.
Specific Accommodation Voice-To-Text	Respondus LockDown Browser (LDB) with Monitor 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.	All other online assessments (including LockDown Browser without Monitor) 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.
Specific Accommodation Medical Accommodations and Medical Emergencies	Respondus LockDown Browser (LDB) with Monitor 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.	All other online assessments (including LockDown Browser without Monitor) Accommodations as usual.
Specific Accommodation Scribe/Reader/Interpreter	Respondus LockDown Browser (LDB) with Monitor 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.
Specific Accommodation Scrap Paper	Respondus LockDown Browser (LDB) with Monitor 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.	All other online assessments (including LockDown Browser without Monitor) Accommodations as usual.
Specific Accommodation Breaks and Washroom	Respondus LockDown Browser (LDB) with Monitor 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.	All other online assessments (including LockDown Browser without Monitor) 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.
Text-To-Speech	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.	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.
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. Accessibility Services instructions for Instructors
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.
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
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
Noise Cancelling Headphones	SAS cannot verify what students are listening to when using headphones.  SAS recommends earplugs instead, which are readily available at most pharmacies.	There are no restrictions on the use of headphones.
White Noise/Background Music	As headphones are not required for this accommodations, SAS recommends the use of an external device for sound. During the pre-test scan, students will show the phone or device to the camera and state out loud that they will be listening to music/noise as per their approved accommodations.  They will then very clearly place this device away from the computer, preferably within the camera’s view and PRESS PLAY. SAS has suggested they ensure there is no reason to go to the device and that they turn off all sounds and notifications.	There are no restrictions on the use of music or background noise. Headphones are permitted.
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.
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.
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 will clearly explain the situation to the camera and proceed accordingly. Students have been asked to stay within the camera’s view.	Nothing to address
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.
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.
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.
SAS will be informing students of their responsibilities in accessing accommodations during online testing.

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Online Testing Accommodations

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