Testing programs face growing challenges in providing appropriate accommodations for candidates with disabilities. Requests have increased, while legal, practical, research, validity, resource, and documentation issues remain difficult to resolve. The presentation will introduce the Uniform Guidelines for Appropriate Practices in Testing Accommodations, developed to help licensure and certification organizations make consistent, defensible accommodation decisions. The Guidelines offer a framework grounded in test use, legal and professional requirements, validity evidence, emerging technologies, and sound business practices. A four-person expert panel will explain the Guidelines’ structure, key considerations often overlooked by testing organizations, and ways they can promote fairer candidate experiences, shared resources, and stronger decision-making. The panel will also discuss future resources, including model policies, forms, applicant materials, and documentation standards.
Greg Cizek, University of North Carolina
Chad Buckendahl, ACS Ventures
Marc Van Hasselt, Prometric