Reasonable 
Accommodations

Reasonable Accommodations

What is a reasonable adjustment?

A Reasonable Adjustment is any action that helps to reduce the effect of a disability or difficulty that places the candidate at a substantial disadvantage in the assessment situation. Reasonable adjustments will be submitted by International Beverage Academy (on behalf of the student/candidate) to WSET for approval and will be put in place before the assessment activity takes place. 

The use of a reasonable adjustment is not taken into consideration during the assessment of a candidate’s work. Reasonable adjustments must not give unfair advantage over candidates for whom reasonable adjustments are not being made.

Reasonable adjustments will be offered in compliance with the American Disabilities Act (ADA) and all the facilities will follow the law.

Examples of reasonable adjustments include:

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Changing standard assessment arrangements, for example allowing candidates extra time to complete the assessment activity. 

Adapting assessment materials, such as providing materials in large text format. 

Providing access facilitators during assessment, such as a sign language interpreter or reader. 

Re-organizing the assessment room, such as removal of visual stimuli for an autistic candidate. 

Applying for a reasonable adjustment 

Candidates need to notify the school at the time of the candidate’s enrolment of any special needs which may require a reasonable adjustment during the course and/or at the time of the exam. Please contact the Main Contact at International Beverage Academy by email (contact@beveragecertified.com) Attn: Luis Romero. Eligibility will only be considered if accompanied by supporting independent documentation. The school is required to submit any adjustment application at least 4 weeks prior to the exam, thus it is important that candidates notify the school of any special need or adjustment at least five weeks prior to the exam. 

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The specific arrangements for the exam process itself, or for marking, will be agreed in each case between the School’s Exams Officer and the WSET Exams Manager and will vary according to individual circumstances. WSET reserves the right to seek the advice of independent agencies as appropriate in coming to a decision on specific arrangements. 

Candidates should note that the School may not offer reasonable adjustments to any candidate until this has been agreed with WSET. 

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Candidates and their advisors should be aware that it is not appropriate to make requests for reasonable adjustments where the candidate’s particular difficulty directly affects performance in the attributes that are the focus of the assessment. 

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The school will keep records of all reasonable adjustment applications thus a written request is required. Any personal data submitted for reasonable adjustments will be handled in accordance with the WSET’s Privacy & Data Protection Policy.

Special Consideration Policy 

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What is a Special Consideration?

Special consideration is an action taken after an assessment to allow participants who have been disadvantaged by temporary illness, injury, indisposition or adverse circumstances at the time of the assessment to demonstrate attainment. 

Special consideration will not give unfair advantage over candidates for whom special consideration is not being applied or alter the assessment demands of the qualification as detailed in the applicable Specification. 

A candidate may be eligible for special consideration if: 

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·    Performance in an assessment is affected by circumstances beyond the control of the candidate. This may include recent personal illness, accident, bereavement or exam room conditions. 

·    Alternative assessment arrangements which were agreed in advance of the assessment proved inappropriate or inadequate. 

·    The application of special consideration would not mislead the user of the certificate as to the candidate’s attainment. 

Candidate’s Guide to Applying for special consideration 

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The participant must submit a Special Consideration Application Form to Luis Romero, Director of International Beverage Academy at contact@beveragecertified.com within 5 business days of the exam date for which special consideration is being sought. Eligibility will only be considered if accompanied by supporting independent documentation. 

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In cases of serious disruption during the exam, International Beverage Academy’s Exams Officer will submit a detailed report of the circumstances and candidates affected to WSET. This will be returned with the completed exam papers. 

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The School will keep records of all applications for special consideration and so a written request is required by the participant. Any personal data submitted for special consideration will be handled in accordance with the WSET’s Privacy & Data Protection Policy.

Diversity and Equality

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The International Beverage Academy (IBA) prides itself in creating an inclusive and welcoming environment for everyone. It is part of IBA’s mission to make beverage education accessible and thus no discrimination of any kind will be allowed. Participants interacting with other candidates are required to uphold to the same ethics level as the school’s policy requires and there is a zero-tolerance policy for discrimination. Please contact Luis Romero (Main Contact) at contact@beveragecertfied.com to address any questions or concerns regarding diversity and equality.