How To Request Accommodations For The Florida Bar Exam: A Guide For Applicants With Disabilities

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Applying for and taking the Florida Bar Exam is a significant milestone on the journey to becoming a lawyer in Florida. Applicants with disabilities may face additional challenges when ensuring that they have equal access to the exam. Luckily, the Florida Board of Bar Examiners (FBBE) recognizes the importance of providing accommodations to individuals with disabilities and offers a simple process for requesting and obtaining these accommodations. This guide will help you properly navigate the steps to request accommodations for the Florida Bar Exam.

Understanding Your Rights

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities and requires testing entities like the FBBE to provide reasonable accommodations to ensure equal access to their exams. Under the ADA, a disability is defined as a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities. This means that if you have a disability that impacts your ability to take the bar exam under standard conditions, you have the right to request accommodations.

Steps For Requesting Accommodations For The Florida Bar Exam: A Guide For Applicants With Disabilities

Gather Documentation – What You Need To Provide

You’ll need to provide documentation of your disability from a qualified professional to support your accommodation request. This documentation should include:

A diagnosis of your disability
A description of how it impacts your ability to take the exam
Recommendations for specific accommodations that would address your needs.

Proper documentation may include:

Medical records
Psychological evaluations
Letters from healthcare providers

2. Submit Your Request

After gathering the necessary documentation, you can submit your request for accommodations to the FBBE. The Board provides a General Instructions For Requesting Test Accommodations document and a Request for Accommodations form on its website, which you can download and complete. Be sure to include detailed information about your disability, how it affects your ability to take the exam, and the specific accommodations you are requesting. You may also need to provide additional supporting documentation as requested by the FBBE.

3. Await Review and Response

After submitting your request, the FBBE will review your documentation and evaluate your request for accommodations. This process may take several weeks, so it’s important to submit your request as early as possible. The Board will notify you of its decision in writing, either granting or denying your request for accommodations. If your request is granted, the Board will provide details about the approved accommodations and any additional instructions you may need.

4. Prepare for the Exam

Once your request for accommodations has been approved, you can focus on preparing for the exam with the assurance that your needs will be accommodated. Take advantage of the additional time or other accommodations provided to you to ensure you are fully prepared on exam day.