Receiving student accommodation requests
Promptly address both official and unofficial accommodation requests from students.
Official Requests
- Faculty will receive an official letter from the student which serves as formal notification of approved accommodations.
Unofficial Requests
- If a student requests accommodations without an official letter, direct them to DSS before making any arrangements. This ensures consistency with university policy.
Accommodation Letter Details
Accommodation letters are currently delivered by hand from the student after the student has registered with DSS and undergone an interactive process to determine appropriate accommodations.
Each letter includes:
- Summary of approved accommodations
- Implementation guidance
- Information on fundamental alterations
- Contact details for questions
Responding and Implementing Accommodations
Students are advised to set an appointment with their instructor, as early in the Block as possible, to present and discuss the accommodations letter and implementation.
Step 1: Review the letter with the student
- Understand the student’s approved accommodations.
- Contact DSS with any questions (See Consulting with DSS below).
- Use this discussion to clarify how accommodations will be applied in your course, collaborate on practical approaches, and establish clear expectations for communication and timelines.
- Document any agreed-upon arrangements.
Step 3: Implement the approved accommodations
- Refer to the common accommodations page for guidance on accommodations.
- Maintain confidentiality and treat all disability-related information as protected information.
Consulting with DSS
Contact DSS before taking action if:
- You’re unsure how to implement an approved accommodation.
- A student requests accommodations not listed in their letter.
- An accommodation may conflict with essential course requirements or policies.
- You are considering denying an accommodation.
Addressing Potential Fundamental Alterations
If you, as a faculty member, believe an accommodation may fundamentally alter an essential course requirement or academic standard, DSS will initiate the interactive process upon your inquiry.
Step 1: Faculty inquiry
Contact DSS to discuss your concerns.
Step 2: Evaluation
DSS reviews relevant materials, such as the syllabus, and consults with you. If a reasonable alternative is identified, DSS notifies the student and updates the accommodation letter.
Step 3: Collaborative review
If needed, DSS and the assistant director [Division Chair?] may consult with faculty from the academic unit, department chairs, or other knowledgeable administrators to:
- Identify essential course or program requirements.
- Determine whether the requested accommodation is reasonable.
- Explore alternative accommodations that meet the same learning objectives.
Step 4: Decision notification
All relevant parties, including you and the student, receive the decision from DSS. If the requested accommodation is denied or modified, the notification outlines the reasons for the decision.
Students can request reconsideration from DSS if they disagree.
Key Reminders
- Do not inform the student directly if an accommodation cannot be provided. Do contact DSS to discuss essential course requirements and explore alternative accommodations.
- Do not request disability documentation from students. Do reach out to DSS with questions or concerns.
- Do not provide unapproved accommodations. Do consult with DSS if implementation challenges arise.