Focus on Accessibility and Accommodations

In this edition of WIDA in New York, we discuss accessibility and accommodations on WIDA assessments. We’ll talk about WIDA’s Accessibility and Accommodations Framework, accessibility options for all students and accommodations for students with an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or Section 504 Accommodations Plan (504 Plan).

WIDA Accessibility and Accommodations Framework

WIDA believes English learners (ELs) have diverse learning needs and styles and that all ELs are capable of making progress toward English language proficiency. WIDA’s test development process incorporates universal design principles that increase accessibility for all test takers. This universal design encourages the use of graphic support, scaffolding and thematic grouping of items to make it easier for all learners to engage with the test content.

As you explore WIDA’s accessibility and accommodations resources, remember to always follow your state-specific accessibility and accommodation policies for English language proficiency (ELP) tests.

Administrative Considerations and Universal Tools

WIDA allows any student to use universal tools or take advantage of administrative considerations as needed. These accessibility supports are generally used by students in classroom settings. They allow students to demonstrate their English language skills without changing test materials and without changing the way the test is measured or how scores are interpreted.

Administrative Considerations

Administrative considerations allow for a more flexible test administration and can be used by any student. The test administrator facilitates the administrative considerations. Examples of administrative considerations include the following:

• Use of adaptive or specialized equipment or furniture, like special seating, fidget tools, specialized lighting or adaptive keyboards
• Testing individually or in a small group setting
• Redirection or encouragement from the test administrator during the test
• Extended testing time (WIDA’s assessments are not timed, but some students may take much longer than other students to complete a domain. A student who is actively engaged in testing can continue working up to the end of the school day.)

Universal Tools

Universal tools are also available to any student. Some universal tools are provided through the online testing platform, and others are provided by the test administrator. Examples of universal tools include the following:

• Color preferences: Students can use transparent color overlays on physical test materials or use color adjustment options on the online test platform to change the color of the text and background.
• Highlighting tools: A highlighter tool is built into the online testing platform, and students are able to use highlighters on physical test materials.
• Magnification: Students can use the magnifier tool built into the online test platform to interact with enlarged graphics and text.

Experience the universal tools on your own by visiting the ACCESS Test Practice and Sample Items webpage. Click on the link to ACCESS Online Sample Items to check out the universal tools we described and more.

Accommodations

Accommodations are changes to test materials or testing procedures. On WIDA assessments, accommodations are intended only for students with disabilities as documented in an IEP or 504 Plan. It is the responsibility of the student’s educational support team to collectively determine which accommodations are necessary to ensure the student can participate in the assessment meaningfully and appropriately.

The WIDA Accessibility and Accommodations Manual provides a comprehensive overview of all accommodations available for WIDA ACCESS and WIDA Alternate ACCESS. Some accommodations require the district to order materials in advance, like our braille and large print formats. Others require the student’s record to be updated in WIDA AMS to enable the support on the online testing platform.

The Accessibility and Accommodations Manual also includes

• More details about administrative considerations and universal tools
• Recommendations for students who are deaf or hard of hearing or who are blind or have low vision
• Accommodation checklists for each assessment to help educational support teams as they determine appropriate accommodations

Important: WIDA updates the Accessibility and Accommodations Manual each July. Educators can expect some changes and additions to the accommodations section in 2026-2027 based on WIDA’s ongoing efforts to increase online accessibility.

WIDA ACCESS or WIDA Alternate ACCESS

Some English learners are unable to take WIDA ACCESS even with accommodations. These students may be eligible to participate in WIDA Alternate ACCESS, WIDA’s summative ELP assessment for students with the most significant cognitive disabilities. This assessment is designed for ELs who participate in your state’s alternate content assessment.

Coming Up Next

Later this spring, we’ll share more information about WIDA Alternate ACCESS and introduce you to WIDA ACCESS for Kindergarten.

Have Questions? Let Us Help!

Reach out to the experts at the WIDA Client Services Center with questions about WIDA resources, products and services. Find contact information and hours of operation on the Contact Us page.

Spread the word! Please share the WIDA in New York newsletter signup form with your New York educator colleagues. Visit the New York member/state page on the WIDA website for additional news and resources.

New York will also continue to share WIDA information with the field as updates become available. For assessment-related questions, please contact the Office of State Assessment (OSA) at emscassessinfo@nysed.gov or 518-474-5902. For inquiries about state policy guidance, reach out to the Office of Bilingual Education and World Languages (OBEWL) at OBEWL@nysed.gov or 518-474-8775.