accommodation

Questions
: 
A student came to me in the tenth week of the semester requesting accommodations. I believe this is too late to ask for accommodations and arrangements should be made at the beginning of the semester. I even made an announcement on the first day of class
Answer
: 

In most instances, “yes.” There are numerous reasons why a student makes a late request. Perhaps they could not get documentation of their disability any earlier and, therefore, could not initiate accommodations earlier. Some students try to take a class without accommodations but find that they aren't doing well and need accommodations. Whatever the reason, students may make requests for accommodations any time during the semester.

Questions
: 
Am I required to reduce the standards of a required assignment because the student has a disability?
Answer
: 

No. Standards are the same for all students; however, some students with disabilities may use accommodations to exhibit their knowledge, their production, and their meeting of other course expectations differently than their peers. For example, a student with low vision may produce an essay exam by using a computer rather than writing out an answer. The quality of the work should be the same.

Questions
: 
Do I have to allow students to use technology in my courses?
Answer
: 

There are instances when the DSS student will need to use various technologies during your class. These will be outlined in the Accommodation Letter. This may include, but is not limited to, a laptop to take notes, a recorder to audio record class lectures, and other types of technology as needed.

Questions
: 
Am I allowed to request disability documentation from the student?
Answer
: 

No. SSU has designated the DSS office as the repository of all disability documentation for students with disabilities. Documentation stating and describing a student's disability is confidential information. Recognize that most students feel very vulnerable in disclosing their accommodation needs to faculty.

While faculty may be able to surmise the condition on the basis of the accommodations, probing for disability information is inappropriate.
 

Questions
: 
Am I required to provide exam accommodations to students who request it?
Answer
: 

Yes, if such accommodations are set forth in the student's Accommodation Letter from DSS (see related FAQs below).  The Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Section 504, as well as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the ADA Amendments Act protect students with disabilities. These laws require that qualified students with disabilities must have equal access to an education, including exam accommodations.

Related FAQs

Questions
: 
What should I do if I believe an accommodation listed in the Accommodation Letter fundamentally alters an essential element of my course? Do I have any recourse if I disagree about recommended accommodations?
Answer
: 

Yes. Academic adjustments listed in the student’s Accommodation Letter are open for negotiation. You can and should bring your concerns about specific accommodations to the DSS Advisor working with your student. It may be that a different accommodation would be better suited to your particular course and the DSS Advisor can help develop the alternative.

Questions
: 
Should I provide accommodations to a student who does not present an Accommodation Letter?
Answer
: 

If a student asks for an accommodation but does not deliver an Accommodation Letter from DSS verifying eligibility for academic adjustments, it is strongly recommended that you contact DSS or direct the student to contact DSS.  Similarly, if a student asks you for an accommodation, and that specific accommodation is not listed in the letter from DSS, you are not obligated to provide it.  To reiterate, you are urged not to seek to arrange by yourself accommodations for the student; refer him or her instead to DSS.

Questions
: 
How do I know the student truly has a disability and needs accommodations?
Answer
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If a student requests accommodations, you may ask the student to provide you with an Accommodation Letter from DSS verifying that they have a disability. You may ask the student to provide you with an Accommodation Letter from DSS verifying that he or she has a disability. The student, if registered with DSS and after providing documentation that DSS determines supports the accommodation, is provided with a letter that details the required accommodations to which they are entitled so long as they do not fundamentally alter an essential component of your course.

Questions
: 
If a student asks me to provide a disability-related accommodation in my course, what should I do?
Answer
: 

The first thing to determine is whether the student has an Accommodation Letter setting forth the accommodations recommended by the DSS office.  If the student does not have such a letter, do not seek to arrange accommodations with the student yourself; refer him or her immediately to the DSS office.

Questions
: 
Is there ever a cut-off for when I may seek accommodations during the semester? Do faculty have to provide these accommodations?
Answer
: 

There are numerous reasons why a student makes a late request. Perhaps he or she could not get documentation of his or her disability any earlier and, therefore, could not initiate accommodations earlier. Some students try to take a class without accommodations, but find that they aren't doing well and need accommodations. Whatever the reason, students may make requests for accommodations any time during the semester.

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