How to Access AIM
The ARO portal, AIM, is where all of your eligibility and accommodation information is stored and coordinated.
On AIM, you can select accommodations for your classes, schedule an appointment, request an exam, access notes from a peer notetaker, and more.
Get to AIM through the my.westmont.edu portal (Search "ARO" and save it to the Your Favorites bar).
Renewing Accommodations on AIM
1. Each semester, make accommodation requests by selecting classes from your course list. Keep in mind that you may not need the same accommodations for each course.
2. Some accommodations, like notetaking, require additional approval and/or steps and may require a meeting with an ARO staff member. Others, like extended time on tests, will be approved without additional steps. You can check the status of each of your requests on your AIM profile.
3. The ARO will review your requests and email your Letters of Accommodation (LOA) to your professors.
Academic Accommodations
1. Get accessible ebooks through Slingshot. Many textbooks on slingshot are available in an e-format, where you can use accessibility features. To do this, you must make e-books your textbook preference in your Slingshot account.
2. If the book you need isn’t available electronically on Slingshot, or doesn’t fit your needs, look on Bookshare, an accessible library. In order to make an account, you will need to provide a proof of disability form (POD) which we can fill out on your behalf.
3. If you are still unable to access a book in an alternate format, we can order the book through the publisher, but will need the information for the book and what format you need, as well as a proof of purchase of the original format. Please send a filled out request form to aro@westmont.edu to request support.
Schedule an Exam on AIM
Proctoring Hours: 8:30 AM-4:45 PM [Closed M/W/F 10:20-11:30 for chapel]
Exams must be completed by 4:45. We are closed during chapel.
You must schedule your upcoming exam(s) 3 school days in advance.
Late requests will be approved on a case-by-case basis, but there are no guarantees that your test can be proctored without appropriate notice.
What if my exam time conflicts with another class or proctoring hours?
You can:
Ask your professor to coordinate proctoring an exam for you with extended time and/or a reduced distraction environment.
Schedule the exam at a different time with professor approval*. Please write this down in the notes section on your exam request page and forward email approval from your professor. They are welcome to provide a one-time approval for the whole semester to take exams outside of normal class time. *If your exam time overlaps at all with the class time, you do not need professor approval.
In rare cases due to an unusually tight schedule, a test may need to be proctored on an earlier or later day. Please provide professor approval.
Scheduling Instructions:
Get to your AIM account through the my.westmont.edu portal.
Select Alternative Testing in the left hand sidebar, choose your class, and click Schedule Exam.
Enter exam time and day information accurately. Do not add your extended time. It will be calculated automatically. Usually, MWF classes are 65 minutes, and TH classes are 110 minutes. Make sure your exam doesn't overlap with chapel, another class, or is outside of our hours.
If you need to move your examination to a different time than the class, or if you are scheduling a late exam, state the reason in the notes section.
Click Add New Request. Check to see if it appears to be scheduled correctly by clicking on View My Exams.
You may edit or delete your exam request at any time.
Important: Final exams need to be scheduled 3 weeks in advance.
Finals for all courses are pre scheduled by the Registrar. Finals are not at the same time/day as your regular courses time/day. Please review the schedule carefully prior to scheduling your final exam.
If you have more than one final exam per day (and you are registered with the ARO) you may petition with the Registrar to reschedule one or more exams to another day. This e-form can be found on your my.westmont.edu portal.
The ARO provides Glean licenses, Livescribe rentals, and a limited amount of peer notetakers free of charge to eligible students. Students are responsible for the costs of any other app/assistive technology.
How to Request a Peer Notetaker:
1. Select this accommodation for any class that you foresee needing a peer notetaker.
2. Attend class for one week to confirm that you will need a notetaker. If you do, please confirm your request in AIM.
3. We will assign you a notetaker as soon as possible. You will remain anonymous to them.
Other Apps
Notability (Apple)
OneNote (Microsoft)
Student Rights
Students have the right to equal access to all educational programs, services, and facilities.
Under FERPA, information regarding a student's disability is confidential, and its disclosure is limited to those with a legitimate educational interest. To release information to a party, please fill out the Student Records Office e-form found on the portal.
Students have the right to reasonable accommodations that ensure an inclusive learning environment, and that do not create an undue burden on the college or fundamentally alter a course/program/learning outcome. You may appeal an accommodation decision through our grievance procedure.
Students cannot be discriminated against based on their disability, and they have the right to file a complaint if they believe they have been treated unfairly.
Students have the right to clear and timely communication regarding disability-related matters, including accommodation processes and decisions.
Students have the right to participate without undue burden in the decision-making process regarding their accommodations.
Student Responsibilities
Students must initiate the accommodation process and advocate for themselves in requesting and implementing necessary accommodations.
Students must provide appropriate and current documentation of the disability to the ARO if necessary.
Students must request accommodations in a timely manner to allow for proper arrangements. If you no longer need a certain requested accommodation, please inform the ARO ASAP.
Students must maintain open and honest communication with instructors and the ARO about needs and barriers.
Students must comply with the policies and procedures outlined by the college and the ARO.
Students must provide feedback to the ARO on the effectiveness of accommodations.
Accessibility Resource Office Responsibilities
The ARO must maintain confidentiality of students' disability-related information in accordance with FERPA. Records will be maintained for 5 years after withdrawal or graduation from Westmont College.
The ARO must ensure that all programs, services, and facilities are accessible to students with disabilities.
The ARO must clearly communicate procedures for requesting and implementing accommodations to students and faculty.
The ARO must coordinate and facilitate reasonable accommodations for students in collaboration with relevant faculty and staff.
The ARO must advocate for the needs and rights of students with disabilities within the institution.
The ARO must provide training and support for faculty and staff to create an inclusive and accessible learning environment.
The ARO must seek feedback from students on the effectiveness of accommodations and continuously improve services based on this feedback.
The ARO must ensure that the college remains in compliance with relevant laws and regulations related to disability services (including, but not limited to Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act).