Accommodations are changes, supports, or adjustments that make environments, tasks, or relationships more accessible. They aren’t about giving someone an advantage; they’re about removing barriers so participation is possible and more equitable.

Accommodations can be formal, protected by law or policy, such as workplace adjustments under the ADA or extra time on exams, or informal. Informal accommodations often take shape through everyday problem-solving: wearing noise-canceling headphones or sunglasses, dimming the lights, a partner handling phone calls, or a colleague sharing questions in advance.

Access needs describe the conditions someone require in order to participate fully. Accommodations, on the other hand, are the concrete steps or adjustments that help meet those needs. Put simply, access needs name the what; accommodations describe the how.