Online College and Testing Accommodations

[ADHDNewbie3]

I've been recently diagnosed with ADHD and am currently a college student taking online classes while living abroad.

It's my first week of school, and I'm already facing a dilemma with a professor with exam accommodations. I was informed about options for remote proctored testing options before enrollment. I reached out to the professor, explaining my situation regarding living abroad and not having the resources to find a testing center for proctored exams, and requested online proctored testing options. It is my first experience being denied the option to receive accommodation due to "department policy." However, this isn't my first time requesting online proctored services from the SAME department. I previously received accommodation without any issues (before my ADHD diagnosis). I can't tell if this is truly a policy or just a professor's personal preference. I've reached out to my disability service counselor for help but still waiting for a response.

Has anyone had experience with this or a similar situation? If so, what was the outcome? It's not only the case of the limitations or access to resources I face while living abroad but also how this affects me or someone with a disability utilizing a necessary accommodation. Do I have any rights, or should I withdraw from school? At this point, I feel discouraged and defeated.

[Gettingittogether]

Just contact your university's office of disability ... there will be some office like that that handles accommodations. I'm a college teacher. The office of disability sends us a letter telling us to make as many accommodations as we can. The professor is not just supposed to say no, but to talk with you about an acceptable accommodation.

You have to speak up--so yes, go over the professor's head.

[Cocoapup]

While similar in situation, but not living abroad taking online classes.

What I did was to first contact my advisor at the disabled students center. Then, I went to the department chair informing them of my situation and the professor's response. Sorry to say, your professor might not be happy with you for doing this, but this is a medical issue you'll be dealing with for the rest of your academic career.