First Name: Dorothy
Last Name: Reddic
Email Address: DorothyR@nwhomestart.org
Phone Number: (815) 200-9730
Exam Type: Online Exam
First preferred date: Thu, 08/10/2023
First preferred time: 10:00 am
Second preferred date: Tue, 08/15/2023
Second preferred time: 10:00 am
Third preferred date: Thu, 08/17/2023
Third preferred time: 10:00 am
Accommodations requested for online exam:
- 1 hour of additional time
- Multiple breaks
- Food and/or drink
- Read the exam aloud
- Use of a magnifying device
- Other
Describe online accommodation(s):
My request for reasonable accommodations to the Office of Housing Counseling
Housing Counseling Certification Examination administered by third-party
vendor Kryterion:
1. Time and a half for testing which means 3 hours to take the HUD Housing
Certification Exam rather than two hours traditionally afforded to
individuals living without disabilities.

2. The ability to magnify the screen using the built in features on the
computer due to vision double vision, difficulty seeing smaller writing and
imagines in writing or on digital screens. I wear glasses to aid with vision,
but they do not correct my significant impairments sufficiently.

3. The ability to use Assistive Technology in the form of a screen reader
software or applications to read the questions aloud during the HUD Housing
Counselor Certification examination to aid with significantly impaired
vision, reading speed, comprehension, processing, and understanding of
written information due to significant impairments physically and mentally if
required to read without the use of a screen reader. I live with chronic pain
that physically impairs my ability to hold a document or book when reading, a
pencil or pen and typing, or clicking the mouse or pressing buttons, or
sitting looking at a computer screen for long periods of time as these body
movements or lack of movement exacerbate the chronic pain in my joints,
stiffness in muscles, restricts dexterity in hands and feet, causes pain in
head, neck, shoulders, arms, hands, forearms, back, thighs, legs, knees,
ankles, feet and impairs my cognition. I am requesting a minimum of five or
more business days’ notice of the specific screen reader that will be
available for use during the HUD Housing Counselor Certification Examination
along with free access to the use of the screen reader to provide me the
opportunity to develop proficiently in using the software in advance of the
exam.

4. The ability to use a desktop or handheld calculator with a paper tape to
assist with completing calculations during the exam due to difficulty of
toggling between computer screens, in ability to read the questions and use
the calculator simultaneously due to significant impairments with cognition,
recall, comprehension, and processing information when it is not available in
front of me. A calculator with a tape will assist me with making sure I have
entered the correct numbers to receive the expected output for an accurate
calculation.

5. The ability to have several pieces of paper and multiple writing utensils
to make notes during the exam due to significant impairments with recall,
comprehension, and anxiety interfering with my ability to accurately respond
and demonstrate my knowledge of the HUD Housing Counselor Certification
Examination.

6. The ability to take breaks to stretch, stand, walk, use the bathroom, take
a drink and/or eat a snack, take necessary medications and pray for 10-20
minutes as needed included in the time and a half requested for taking the
exam as a reasonable accommodation in #1.

7. The ability to trouble-shoot the use of technology used by the third-party
vendor contracted by the HUD Housing Counseling Office to administer the HUD
Housing Counselor Examination, Kryterion 48 hours prior to my scheduled
examination along with our IT company assisting to ensure that all settings
are meeting the requirements to give access to the proctor for during the
examination. I have mental impairments that cause me to become very anxious,
short of breath, or rapid breathing, fear, causes sadness and inability to
concentrate, articulate, or understand during an unexpected crisis for fear
of failing.

Reason for accommodation: I am an individual living with physical and mental
disabilities which significantly impair my activities of daily living who
normally receives reasonable accommodations pursuant to the Fair Housing Act,
Sections 504 and 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; and other civil
rights laws that prohibit discrimination against individuals with
disabilities in the services, programs and activities. See personal letter
written to Secretary arcia Fudge and supporting documents from the Illinois
Department of Human Services, Northern Illinois University and Dr. Alesia
Hawkins-Jones to support my request for reasonable accommodations using
assisted technology to read questions aloud, separate calculator, scratch
paper and breaks etc. /s/Dorothy Reddic 8-3-2023