Overview of the Center for Accommodated Testing
The Weingarten Center for Accommodated Testing is a welcoming and supportive space dedicated to providing students with the resources and support they need to succeed academically. Located in the Holman BioTech Commons on the Blue Basement Level, at 3610 Hamilton Walk, Philadelphia, PA 19104, the center offers a distraction-reduced environment designed to support students requiring extra time and other accommodations during exams. Students with approved testing accommodations may take their exam at the Center for Accommodated Testing by scheduling online (through the MyWeingartenCenter portal) at least eight (8) days in advance. Any questions about Weingarten’s Center for Accommodated Testing can be sent to sds-test@vpul.upenn.edu.
How Students Are Supported
Distraction-Reduced Space: The center provides a quiet and controlled environment to minimize distractions, allowing students to focus better during their exams.
Extended Time: Students eligible for extra time on exams can use this accommodation to complete their tests without feeling rushed.
Access to Technology: The Center for Accommodated Testing is equipped with various technological tools and resources to support students’ specific needs, including assistive technology such as text-to-speech, dictation, and ZoomText.
Individualized Support: The Accommodation Specialists at the center are trained to provide personalized assistance, ensuring each student’s unique accommodations are met.
Common Questions
Q: How do I schedule an exam at the Weingarten Center? A: You can schedule your exam by logging on to MyWeingartenPortal. There are helpful tutorials on how to schedule exams on the Weingarten Center website. Please email sds-test@vpul.upenn.edu if you are having problems scheduling your exam.
Q: How far in advance do I need to schedule an exam through the Weingarten Center? A: Students must schedule their exam at least eight (8) days prior. However, we encourage students to schedule their exams as soon as possible. If a student tries to register less than eight (8) days in advance, the Center for Accommodated Testing cannot guarantee that your request will be approved.
Q: What should I bring on the day of the exam? A: Bring any approved materials, such as notes or calculators, and a form of identification. Snacks and drinks are also allowed. However, please try to be mindful of the other students’ testing and refrain from bringing food and beverages that could cause distraction (e.g. foods with a strong smell and/or noisy wrappers).
Q: Can I use my own laptop for exams? A: The center provides access to necessary technology including computers with lockdown browsers. If you require specific software or settings, please inform the staff in advance. Students may use their personal devices if permitted and approved by the course professor and the Accommodation Specialists.
Q: What if I need to reschedule my exam? A: Contact the center as soon as possible to discuss rescheduling options. Send an email to sds-test@vpul.upenn.edu that includes course information and staff will work with you to find a suitable time.
The Weingarten Center for Accommodated Testing is committed to creating an inclusive and supportive environment for all students, ensuring that everyone can perform their best.
Written by Emily Trott, Assistive Technology Specialist, Weingarten Center
Communicating with Faculty About Your Accommodations
After you are approved for accommodations by your Weingarten Center Disability Specialist, you submit a semester request for accommodation letters to be sent to your professors. Through the MyWeingartenCenter portal, you initiate the process to have the letters sent to your professors, a confidential way for professors to receive your letters. Each semester you are prompted to select which courses you will need to use accommodations. This gives you agency in the process and protects your right to privacy; you get to choose which professors should be notified that you require accommodations for the semester.
After you handle this step, you are strongly encouraged to meet with your professors during office hours to discuss how the accommodations will be implemented. You might want to set up an appointment with the professor to ensure that the conversation is in private and you have time to discuss the accommodations. These conversations can be crucial in helping both you and faculty members navigate the semester together successfully. Let’s say that you are a student with limited mobility in a class where the faculty member frequently asks students to move around to get into groups or stand during lab activities. A conversation about this can help the faculty member proactively accommodate your needs when preparing course materials, activities, and assessments. It is important to remember that the conversation focuses on the implementation of your approved accommodations, not your medical condition or disability. Discuss what your accommodation entails. You should carefully read the course syllabi and consider what elements of the course might be a challenge. Be open to the faculty having creative ways of handling some accommodations, especially those that may not be common in their courses. However, you should always be honest about what will and will not be helpful.
Having these conversations can be challenging, so it is important to remember that your Disability Specialist will be an invaluable resource for you. If you need help preparing for a conversation with a faculty member, already had a conversation and are feeling uncertain about it, or simply do not feel comfortable getting the conversation started, your assigned Disability Specialist is available to guide you through the process. In some cases, they may speak to faculty on your behalf, especially if the nature of the accommodation is new to the instructor or if the conversation is tricky to navigate. The Weingarten Center staff always wants to make sure that students and faculty have the necessary information and guidance for successful implementation of accommodations.
Written by Simmee Myers Abiko, Director of Instructional Design for Integrated Care, Weingarten Center and Jane Holahan, Executive Director, Weingarten Center
Your Accommodations Have Been Approved: What Happens Next?
Once your disability specialist has approved your accommodations, follow these steps to ensure that your accommodations are implemented in a timely manner:
Review Weingarten Center Emails: Be on the lookout for an email from Disability Services listing the following steps you will need to take within your MyWeingartenCenter portal: (1) sign the Acceptances of Services Letter; and (2) submit a Semester Request to activate or renew approved academic accommodations (this step generates a notification to be sent to professors and/or program liaison(s) of the accommodations). Before submitting a Semester Request you will be able to review your accommodations and decide which accommodations to activate for each course.
Don’t forget Add/Drop and the Need to Renew Accommodations Each Semester: If you add a course after submitting a Semester Request, you will need to submit an additional Semester Request within your MyWeingartenCenter portal for that particular course. Each semester you’ll need to submit a Semester Request to renew your accommodations and have accommodation letters sent to your professors and/or program liaison(s).
Speak with your Professors or Liaisons: Once your professors/liaisons receive the accommodation letters, we encourage you to discuss with them how your accommodations will be implemented. Professors/Liaisons are notified about accommodations but not a about students’ disability. The Weingarten Center keeps information about diagnosis and all supporting documentation confidential.
Book Your Exams at the Center for Accommodated Testing: If you have testing accommodations and would like the Weingarten Center to proctor your exams, you will need to schedule each quiz, or exam at least eight days in advance through the Weingarten portal. It’s best to review your syllabi and book all exams at once. You can stop by Disability Services drop-in hours for assistance. Alternatively, you can ask your professors to proctor your exams with accommodations.
Reserve Penn Accessible Transit: If approved for Penn Accessible Transit, your Disability Specialist will provide instructions on how to request transportation services to and from campus. You can schedule rides through the Penn Transit mobile app (if the location is within the service area boundary) or by calling the Penn Transit phone number.
Schedule a Follow-Up Appointment with Your Disability Specialist: We encourage you to stay in touch with your disability specialist throughout your time at Penn! You can ask questions about current accommodations, request supplemental accommodations or discuss other topics such as neuropsychological evaluations, campus accessibility, academic support options or other campus resources.