Faculty have a responsibility to respond to reasonable requests for academic accommodations from students with disabilities at the Institute. Reasonable requests are determined by Disability and Access Services on the basis of legitimate documentation of a student’s disability by an appropriate professional; communications with the faculty and students; accepted practices of disability service providers in higher education; and legal precedent.
Response to requests for academic and other types of accommodations by the Institute ensures student’s “meaningful access” to essential programs and activities. The question of classroom academic standards is one that DAS staff works carefully with faculty to determine.
Notification of Requested Academic Accommodations
Students have been advised to share with faculty the accommodation letters prepared by DAS, and offer to meet to discuss if faculty wish to do so. The student and faculty member should then discuss the requested academic and exam accommodations outlined in the letter to ensure a mutual understanding. DAS has identified an individual within each academic department who serves as a logistical coordinator/DAS liaison, assisting faculty and students with the implementation of accommodations. The student must work closely with this individual, as well as with the faculty member, in implementing accommodation logistics.
Please note, students must complete the accommodation request form each semester specific to the courses in which they are enrolled. If a student requesting accommodation does not provide an letter prepared by DAS, the faculty member and/or logistical coordinator should refer the student to DAS to obtain such a letter to verify and ensure the reasonableness, accuracy, and legitimacy of the request.
If the faculty member has any concerns about the recommended accommodations, they should convey these concerns to DAS immediately.
DAS has provided a syllabus statement that we invite faculty to review and utilize if they would like.
Exam Accommodation Requests and Procedures
Faculty play an important role assisting in the implementation of request in addition to determining whether exam accommodation requests compromise classroom academic standards.
Exam accommodation requests must be made by the student two weeks before each exam date. Exams are then arranged within the department in order to monitor the quality and fairness of the test accommodations. This may include arranging for a private room or the coordination of a proctor, reader, or scribe. If the student encounters any problem in arranging for accommodations, they must contact DAS immediately.
DAS is here to assist with logistical difficulties which faculty or their departments may encounter in providing student accommodations after they have made a first attempt. DAS can advertise and select a scribe or proctor for an exam, or provide a location in the event that faculty/departments cannot do so. DAS will pay for a proctor, scribe, etc. if the department finds one and cannot fund it. We strongly encourage that exam location be provided by the academic department.
If the department or faculty cannot provide all or any of the accommodations, the student must be informed as soon as the faculty member/department makes the determination. It is then the responsibility of the student to notify DAS within a reasonable amount of time.
To avoid misunderstanding, it is important for the faculty member/department to determine with the student whether the faculty member or the department will be taking responsibility for arranging the exam accommodation.
It is important to know that faculty members have rights when an accommodation is requested. One situation which may arise is that a student may asks for an exam accommodations in an untimely manner, i.e. the day before an exam. Students are advised that accommodations must be requested in a timely fashion; if not, they may be denied.
Note Takers
DAS employs a peer note taking system. The DAS accommodation letter, delivered by the student, through written notification, will inform the instructor that a student may need assistance in selecting a note taker.
Other Student Accommodation Requests
Students may also be approved for other accommodations, including the need for course materials in alternative formats.
Prior to the start of each semester, faculty may be contacted by DAS, or the student, to obtain a syllabus and a list of required textbooks so that alternative formats can be sourced.
There are many means by which faculty may (and do) teach material effectively to students with various learning needs. Faculty are not, however, required to tailor their teaching methods to address an individual student’s special needs. Practices such as asking students which other aids might be useful, or observing a student’s style in recitation or the laboratory, are common ways to facilitate students’ access to classroom learning.
If the student’s documentation specifies and supports the need for taping classes, it will be stated so in the accommodation letter that is presented to faculty. If faculty have concerns about disclosure of privileged information beyond the classroom, the student may be required to sign a confidentiality statement at the discretion of the faculty member.
Confidentiality
The information a student shares with faculty about their disability is confidential information and must be treated as such, according to Institute policy. Avoid discussing disability issues in front of the class or in the presence of other students. Information about a student’s disability should not be shared with other faculty members or staff unless they have a specific “need to know.” Whether or not a student with a disability prefers to discuss the nature of their particular disability, challenges, or personal history with the faculty member/s is entirely up to the student. Students are not required to relate specifics about their disability when they self-disclose a need for accommodations, having already done this with DAS staff.
Questions About Accommodation Requests
DAS is the resource designated by the Institute for assistance in determining and implementing accommodations in and out of the classroom. If you are uncertain about how to respond to a request, whether a request is reasonable, or if there is disagreement about any phase of an accommodation’s provision, it is the faculty member’s responsibility to contact DAS immediately. Faculty/department should not raise the issues with students.