FAQs


Accessibility Support Services does not:

  • Perform psycho-educational diagnostic assessments
  • Ask faculty to compromise the quality of instruction or evaluation or sacrifice class standards
  • Register or provide academic advisement for classes

 As you are confronted with some of your concerns, keep in mind that the Accessibility Services is the office on campus that coordinates services. Feel free to call the office at 478.471.2985 if there is a need to discuss specific situations or need for clarification about these questions and answers.

 

I have a student who is having difficulty in my class. I think this student may have a disability. What should I do to help the student?

Talk privately with the student to discuss your observations. The student may reveal s/he has a disability. If this is the case and the student is registered with the Accessibility Services, suggest that the student talk to his/her service provider in this office.

The student may also be referred to Accessibility Services for diagnostic testing referral for a suspected learning disability, or Accessibility Services may refer students to other qualified professionals for other disability diagnoses. Suggest that the student call 478.471.2985 for further information.

 

A student came to me in the sixth week of the semester requesting accommodations. I feel that this is too late to ask for accommodations and that arrangements should be made at the beginning of the semester. I even made an announcement on the first day of class to meet with me about these arrangements. Do I have to provide accommodations for someone this late?

Yes, you do. Students may request accommodations any time during the semester. Please note accommodations are not retroactive.

 

I have a student who is deaf in my class, how do I request an interpreter or transcriber in the class?

The instructor needs to contact the ASO to request an interpreter or transcriber.

 

A student in my class has asked me for assistance getting notes. After I have made these arrangements, the student has missed most of the lectures. Should s/he be getting these notes?

If a student with a disability regularly skips class, then s/he has no right to get notes on the days skipped. The note taker should be informed of this. If the student has a legitimate excuse for the absence, i.e. illness, death in the family etc., handle the situation as you would all other students.

 

Am I required to lower the standards of a required assignment because the student has a disability?

No, the standards should be the same for all students; however, some students with disabilities may exhibit their knowledge, production, and other course expectations differently than their peers. The quality of the work should be the same.

 

Do I have a right to fail a student with a disability?

A student with a disability is to be treated the same as their peers. The success or failure of the student is determined by the quality of their coursework, and not by the nature of their disability. 

 

 

 

This section of this publication was previously published as part of a grant commitment funded by the US Department of Education under grant #P333A990046. It has been updated for this publication, and additional questions have been added.