Faculty Role and Responsibilities
Accommodations and Access for Students with Disabilities
The DRC is the office charged by the university to provide accommodations and support services to students with disabilities to ensure equal or equivalent access and opportunity to all campus programs, services. Our compliance with federal and state law is a shared responsibility and faculty play an important role in the campus' effort to provide equal access. Accommodations that require discussion and modification of campus policies, procedures, and practices can involve an interactive process between the student, a DRC staff member, and the faculty.- Call DRC if an accommodation is unclear or you have any concerns.
- CPP, through DRC, is responsible to ensure access in all environments — physical, digital, instructional, policy.
- Consultation is vital to resolution.
Case #1: A visually impaired student is taking a geology course. DRC facilitates access to required texts, handouts, and exams. A classroom aide assists the student in the lab, following directions from the student. On a required field trip, a sighted guide is hired to provide orientation and mobility assistance.
Potential problems — What could happen
- Student is told by the instructor she can skip the field trip or do an alternate assignment: This is not equitable participation.
- DRC is delayed in providing an alternate media form of the text because the book is not available.
Case #2: A student in music performance, flute major, fails her final recital due to sudden onset of a medical condition that had affected her breathing. It is determined she can do another recital. She wants to know what accommodations are possible in the recital.
Problems to solve through consultation
- What is required in a flute recital — what are the academic requirements?
- Given knowledge of the student's condition and past performance, what are reasonable modifications?
Case #3: A student with multiple disabilities, including cognitive impairments due to a stroke, requests to use a memory aid during exams.
Problems to solve through consultation
- Is use of a memory aid a necessary accommodation to prevent discrimination? DRC determines the recommendation.
- Faculty approve the memory aid's content.
- DRC fulfills its role of interviewing students, reviewing pertinent disability records, and determining appropriate accommodations.
- Student requests use of the needed accommodations for each class. Faculty receive a Faculty Notification of Accommodation.
- Student informs faculty and DRC if their condition or circumstances change and/or if a new accommodation is needed.
- Faculty arrange a private meeting space for discussions about accommodations as needed. Faculty should not inquire about a student's condition or have discussions in a public space.
- Faculty consult with DRC about accommodations and how to address specific access (physical or digital) barriers, share information about course/program essential skills and requirements in relation to accommodations proposed.
In order to create a universally accessible learning environment and to increase learning effectiveness, you are encouraged to include a syllabus statement about the use of accommodations in your course. The following example can be used or adapted for your course syllabus:
Students with disabilities are encouraged to meet with me during office hours early in the semester to discuss your DRC authorized accommodation needs for this course.