Guidance on Memory Aids
Memory aids are an ADA approved accommodation for individuals with memory deficits caused by injury or cognitive impairments. It is a tool often taking the form of a formula sheet, checklist, or mnemonic device - used to prompt, rather than provide, information during tests or work tasks, ensuring equal opportunity without reducing standards.
This is an accommodation assessed, evaluated and approved on a case-by-case basis and may be allowed for some exams or courses, but not for others, entirely based upon stated learning objectives, outcomes and expectations.
Who is approved for a Memory Aid Accommodation?
Students seeking this accommodation should provide supporting medical documentation that is verified and signed by a qualified licensed professional mental health care provider (i.e. Clinical Psychologist, Psychiatrist, LMFT, LPCC, LCSW or Licensed Educational Psychologist.
From a neuropsychological perspective, low scores of "working memory" (which does not require actual storage of information) and "auditory working memory" (which does not require transferring temporarily held information into long-term memory storage) in clinical testing and assessment do not constitute sufficient evidence for this accommodation.
What Does a Memory Aid Look Like?
A memory aid is typically a small 3" x 5" index card or a Cue Sheet on one-half page of 8 1/2 x 11" paper with the approved prompts written on the front and back. The approved size for this accommodation can also be adjusted for those who are low vision and need a larger amount of space to read.
Memory aids do not serve as a substitute for studying. Similarly, student's class notes, lecture notes, class slides, old homework, or textbooks are not considered to be acceptable for the Memory Aid accommodation.
What Can be on a Memory Aid/Cue Sheet
Prompts- information that helps a student recall information they have already studied, such as formulas, that a student must demonstrate the ability to apply, insofar as memorizing them is not a stated learning objective/outcome.
At the discretion of the instructor, memory aids may or may not include:
- Acronyms
- short phrases
- pictures
- diagrams or schematics
- formulas
- names
- definitions
- tables
- sample questions
- key terms
- work charts
What Can't be on a Memory Aid/Cue Sheet
- Anything that must be memorized to satisfy the essential learning objectives of the course (i.e. formulas, definitions, etc.)
- Steps for solving problems
- Specific examples of how to use formulas
- Copies of textbook pages
Instructor Responsibility
- Reviewing the proposed Memory Aid/Cue Sheet and either approving or providing feedback for revision.
- Uploading the approved Memory Aid/Cue Sheet to Accommodate for use during the exam along with the exam itself.
- Upon receiving a student's accommodation letter with the approved accommodation, contact the ACCESS office if you believe the accommodation compromises academic integrity or fundamentally alters the curriculum or course requirements.
