Guidelines for Reasonable Accommodations for Memory Aid/Cue Sheet
For students who have documented disabilities that affect memory, using a memory aid/cue sheet may be a reasonable accommodation. The memory aid/cue sheet allows the student to demonstrate knowledge of course material by helping prompt the student’s memory, not by providing the answer. Students are responsible for learning course materials, discerning which materials may require cues or triggers, for developing the cues that will appear on the aid, and for securing the faculty member’s approval of the aid.
If the faculty member is concerned this accommodation is unreasonable because it will lower standards, compromise an essential component of or fundamentally alter a course or program, such concerns should be addressed to ODS upon receipt of the “Notification of Academic Accommodations” email. Determining that an accommodation is unreasonable is an institutional decision that must be made within legal parameters and in consultation with ODS. Faculty should not unilaterally render and attempt to implement a judgment that an accommodation is unreasonable.
WHAT DOES A MEMORY AID/ CUE SHEET LOOK LIKE?
Styles of memory aids may vary. Generally, they can be written or typed, 10 or 12 font, on a large index card, or up to one side of an 8 ½” x 11” sheet of paper.
At the instructor's discretion, a memory aid/cue sheet may or may not contain acronyms, short phrases, pictures, schematic diagrams or mind maps, names, definitions, tables, charts or key term and certain formulae.
A memory aid/cue sheet does not record all the facts, concepts or processes being tested. A memory aid/cue sheet should NOT.
- Exceed one page (single-sided)
- Include specific examples of how formulas are used
- Include “answer sheets’ or complete semesters and definitions
- Include full course notes or all information from the course which is being evaluated
- Include open textbooks
- Serve as a substitute of studying – because a cue sheet will not help if a student has not studied the material.
PROCESS
- ODS will email the Faculty the Notification of Academic Accommodations regarding supporting a memory aid/cue sheet for quizzes, mid-semesters and final exams.
- The faculty member should contact ODS for any concerns regarding this accommodation.
- If the faculty member believes this accommodation is not reasonable, then the process for an accommodation dispute should be followed.
- Faculty must complete an Alternative Testing Agreement before ODS can proctor the exam.
- Students are responsible for sending the proposed memory aid/cue sheet to the faculty member for approval at least two business days before the exams.
- The faculty member must review the memory aid/cue sheet and send it to the ODS Proctoring Center upon approval. Students may not bring the approved memory aid/cue sheet to the exam.
- When scheduling course exams, students must select this accommodation (memory aid/cue sheet).
It is important to note:
- Given the specific analysis for each course, it is possible that the use of a memory aid will be allowed for some exams, not others.
- ODS will consider requests for a memory aid/cue sheet on a case-by-case basis.
- ODS will not approve the use of memory aids/cue sheets as a reasonable accommodation when using is a fundamental alteration of academic standards.
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