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Sight-Impairment Policy

Candidates with sight impairments may choose from among the following accommodations available for the social work licensure examination administration:

• A standard cassette taped version of the examination
• Large print (18 pt.) test book
  
• Braille version of the examination
  
• Extra time, up to a total of eight hours (double the time allowed for the regular examination administration)
  
• A private room
  
• A qualified reader provided by the association or its testing contractor
  
• A flexible starting time for the examination, if necessary to allow for a pre-examination meeting between the candidate and the reader

Policies regarding readers for candidates with sight impairments
Readers must have the following qualifications:

• Hold at least a high school diploma and be at least 18 years old
• Be able to read test materials accurately and intelligibly for up to eight hours
• Have studied the written instruction that will be provided to readers ("ASWB Examination Program: Information for Readers for Candidates with Sight Impairments"), and familiarized him/herself with the terminology in the test materials before reading for the exam nation
• Have successful previous experience in reading to persons with sight impairments. Reader must provide ASWB a statement describing that experience (for example, reading to help a student with homework, reading for a professional in the workplace, or reading for an examination).
• Be willing to meet with the candidate (on the telephone or personally) before the examination for up to three hours

To ensure a good working relationship between the candidate and the reader, ASWB will adhere to the following procedures:

• The reader will be identified to the testing candidate at least seven days prior to the examination
• Upon request form the candidate, a pre-examination telephone conference and/or face-to-face meeting, up to three hours, to allow for practice reading will be arranged
• Specific written instructions for readers, including instructions regarding appropriate interaction with candidates, and how to read the examination, will be provided
• If after communication with the reader proposed by ASWB the candidate concludes that the reader will not be able to effectively communicate with him/her during the course of the examination, the candidate may notify ASWB of the problems. If ASWB is notified of the problems prior to three days before the schedule administration of the examination, it will provide a substitute reader. If ASWB is notified of the problems three days or less before the scheduled administration of the examination, it will make reasonable efforts to accommodate the candidate by providing a substitute reader.
• Upon request form the candidate, ASWB will provide the candidate with a description of the assigned reader’s previous reading experience.
• A meeting will be held between the candidate, the reader, and Test Center personnel prior to the examination to clarify the procedures, including the time parameters of the test administration. The meeting will also clarify the procedure for handling any mathematical calculations, charts or graphs that appear in the examination. The Test Center personnel will clarify that the candidate is permitted to ask the reader to write notes and to assist with intermediate steps in computing mathematics problems, especially if the candidate has no tools or equipment for taking notes or is unable to do so. For example, in the multiplication of numbers (for example, 17 X 521, the candidate may say seven times one is seven. Put down the seven. Seven twos are 14. Put down the four and carry the one. Seven fives are 35, and one is 36. Put down the 36.

The following methods will be used for monitoring and evaluating the experience:

• Proctor will monitor activities during the examination administration
• Candidate will have an opportunity to rate the tape, Braille examination, or reader at the end of the examination.
• Reader will have an opportunity to evaluate the reading experience
• To ensure the security of the ASWB examinations, the reader must agree to follow procedures for secure test administration approved by ASWB.