Campuses are seeing more accommodation requests than ever before. Yet, many still rely on outdated systems to manage them, resulting in backlogs or cutting corners. To keep pace while still staying within budget, institutions need more than just effort and good intentions. They need a purpose-built platform designed to manage accessibility from start to finish.
Accommodation Needs Have Outgrown Manual Workflows
Campuses have seen ongoing growth in accommodation requests over the years. These requests now cover academics, housing, testing, and other areas. Yet, many schools still do many things manually. That has become increasingly unsustainable, as evidenced by one student disability office that sent over 21,500 accommodation letters in a single year.
Without a central system, faculty are forced to piece together information from multiple sources. Even simple tasks, like updating a test location, may take extra time. When there is no clear process, small steps can be easily overlooked. And when that’s scaled up to thousands of students who may be eligible for accommodations, it becomes challenging to provide them with the help they need.
These challenges go beyond the administrative side. They directly shape how students experience accessibility support. A system that depends on memory, individual follow-ups, or manual data entry cannot keep pace with growing demand. As campuses strive to provide more consistent and equitable services, it is becoming clear that traditional workflows are no longer enough.
The Cost of Missed Steps in the Accommodation Process
Approving accommodation is only one part of the process. Without clear coordination and follow-through, even a well-intentioned system can fall short. Those missed steps often come with real and lasting costs, such as:
- Student Impact: When approved accommodations are not implemented on time, students may face barriers in the classroom or during exams. That can lead to added stress and uneven academic performance.
- Staff Burden: Without automation or centralized visibility, staff members must manually track requests, send reminders, and monitor follow-ups. That not only takes time but also increases the chance of human error as volumes grow.
- Process Gaps: Key actions, such as status updates, can get missed. These breakdowns often happen quietly, making them difficult to catch until a student raises a concern.
- Compliance Risk: Institutions may find themselves out of alignment with ADA or Section 504 requirements if they cannot document how and when accommodations were handled. Missing records or unclear timelines can pose serious challenges during audits or legal reviews.
- Reputational Damage: Word spreads quickly when students feel unsupported. A pattern of missed steps can erode trust across the campus and discourage students from seeking help, even when they are eligible for it.
What might start as a small oversight can grow into a larger problem that affects individuals and the institution. A centralized platform helps prevent those gaps by keeping every step organized, visible, and easier to manage.
A Platform-Based Approach Brings Structure and Efficiency
An accessibility management platform can help give staff a clear, repeatable process for handling requests from start to finish. Instead of relying on memory or one-off updates, departments can work within a shared system. Each step is tracked, and responsibilities are clearly defined. This structure also alters the way the work feels. Automating routine tasks, such as generating letters and sending notifications, allows staff to spend more time on higher-level tasks. In turn, it creates a smoother and more efficient process for everyone.
Making the Most of Limited Resources
Many accessibility teams are being asked to support more students without any increase in staff or funding. As workloads grow, it becomes increasingly difficult to keep up with manual systems or disconnected tools. An accessibility management platform can help teams work more efficiently by reducing repetitive tasks, improving coordination, and minimizing delays. That allows schools to meet rising expectations without adding pressure to already stretched teams or limited budgets.
Better Accessibility Starts With Centralized Support
A centralized platform enables the quick and accurate delivery of accommodations. When all requests, documents, and updates are managed in one place, staff do not have to wait on emails or search through different systems. Notifications are sent automatically. Tasks are clearly assigned. And everyone involved can see the same, up-to-date information. This level of coordination helps prevent delays or confusion.
It also creates a more consistent experience across campus. Every department can see relevant updates as soon as they happen. That reduces the chances of missed steps or repeated work. That also means students no longer have to check with each separate department to confirm accommodations are in place. With a platform guiding the process, schools are better equipped to serve their students, which in turn leads to improved accessibility outcomes.
Laying the Groundwork for Lasting Progress
Sustainable accessibility takes more than short-term fixes. Instead, it requires the ability to grow over time, track what’s working, and build on lessons learned. An accessibility management platform creates that foundation. It brings data and documentation together in one place. That makes it easier to spot patterns, measure progress, and improve how support is delivered. Over time, schools can refine their processes and demonstrate steady progress toward more equitable outcomes.
Efficient Accommodations Starts With the Right Platform
Orchestrate AMS helps campuses transition away from manual systems, bringing increased efficiency to the accommodation process. It offers automated workflows, real-time status updates, and a clear way to track each request. That ensures that no department is left out of the loop, allowing faculty to better focus on providing accessibility support to students who need it. By bringing everything into one platform, campuses can streamline their work and manage accommodations with greater speed and effectiveness.
