Disability Resources for Faculty

Academic Accommodations - Instructor’s responsibility

• Review Letter of Accommodation (LOA) with student for application and reasonableness with course curriculum.
• Provide the college authorized accommodations as outlined by Disability Resources for Students (DRS) in the LOA.
• Discuss with each student having a LOA, methods for providing and coordinating accommodation(s) in specific situations/classes.
• Consult DRS regarding questions about a student's accommodations.
• Maintain confidentiality when speaking with students regarding LOA (i.e. do not speak with student in front of classmates; have conversations before and/or after class or during instructor's office hours)

Academic Accommodations - DRS’s responsibility

• Answer students' questions about DRS and accommodations; and provide orientation packet.
• Once documentation is received from student and/or outside medical provider review documentation of a disability.
• Meet with student and complete an Intake Interview to assess and identify reasonable accommodations.
• Develop LOA with the student for distribution to each course instructor.
• Upon request, help students and instructors with the coordination of accommodation.
• Serve as an advocate for the college and students to ensure equal opportunity and equal access are available through reasonable accommodations in the classroom, with testing, and all college programs and activities.

Academic Accommodations - Student responsibility

• Contact DRS to request accommodations for a documented disability.
• Provide historical and/or recent documentation that diagnoses the disability and supports requested reasonable accommodations.
• Complete an Intake Interview.
• Complete a Letter of Accommodation (LOA) Request Form each quarter.
• Discuss and work with each instructor to determine the best method of executing the authorized accommodation with course curriculum.
• Self-advocate and contact instructor and or DRS with concerns and questions that arise about accommodations or academic progress.
• Contact DRS if additional collaboration is required.

What is a “reasonable accommodation”?

Under the Americans with Disability Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, a reasonable accommodation will be implemented as long as it is medically necessary (there is competent medical evidence establishing a relationship between the disability and the need for accommodation) and the accommodation does not impose an undue financial hardship or burden; does not pose a direct threat to the health or safety of others; and does not make a substantial change in an essential element of the curriculum or a substantial alteration in the manner in which the service is provided.

The goal of reasonable accommodation is to give students with a disability the opportunity to demonstrate abilities and equal access to the learning environment. Individualized accommodations are not designed to give the student an advantage over other students, to alter a fundamental aspect of the course, or weaken academic integrity.

Accommodations for students are tailored on a case by case basis to the individual and the documented disability.

What is an “unreasonable accommodation”?

"Undue Hardship"...

There are three kinds of accommodations that are not considered reasonable:

1. If making the accommodation or allowing participation poses a direct threat to the health or safety of others.
2. If making the accommodation means making a substantial change in an essential element of the curriculum or a substantial alteration in the manner in which you provide your services.
3. If it poses an undue financial or administrative burden.

Why are there different types of accommodations?

Accommodations are tailored to the student's documented disability on a case by case basis. The impact of a disability is different for each individual.

Is there a deadline for students to ask for accommodations?

There is no deadline for students to contact Disability Resources for Students (DRS). Although students are encouraged to contact DRS prior to any quarter, they may register with DRS or request their LOA any time throughout the quarter.  Accommodation, however, are not instantaneous.  Students are required to arrange for timely notifications of the need for accommodation to their instructors.  Failure to do so may result in a delay of the instructor's ability to provide the accommodation. 

Is it the instructor or the college’s responsibility to accommodate the student’s disability?

Instructors, Disability Resources for Students (DRS), Counseling and Advising, IT, Enrollment Services, Financial Aid, etc., are "the college" and work in partnership to provide authorized accommodations. Disability law is clear that colleges must provide reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities. DRS is responsible for identifying what accommodations are necessary so students with disabilities are not unfairly restricted, limited or discriminated by the impact of the disability.

Instructors may be asked to provide some accommodations i.e. providing large print, making class materials available, allowing use of recorders, preferential seating, and flexibility in attendance, etc. DRS will coordinate with instructors to provide other accommodations i.e. brailling, ergonomic furniture, providing interpreters, providing written material in alternative format, etc. as necessary.

Should an instructor include a statement for students with disabilities on their syllabus?

DRS, along with the Instructional Council recommends that each course syllabus contain a statement reflecting compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, Section 504. Please use the following statement:

CPTC values diversity and inclusion; we are committed to fostering mutual respect and full participation for all students. My goal is to create a learning environment that is equitable, useable, inclusive, and welcoming.

In order to ensure that the accommodations provided are reasonable and appropriate, all disability-related accommodation requests are processed through our Disability Resources for Student (DRS) Office.  If you have, or think you may have, a disability that may affect your work in this class and feel you need accommodations, contact the Disability Resource Coordinator to schedule an appointment and initiate a conversation about reasonable accommodations.  The DRS office is located in Bldg. 17, Room 150, 253-589-5676, disabilityresources@cptc.edu, https://www.cptc.edu/disability .

If you have already documented a disability or other condition through the CPTC DRS Office, qualified for services and would like to receive accommodations in my class, please contact DRS and request that your Letter of Accommodations be sent to me so that I will know which accommodations are necessary to support you while in my class.    

It would be helpful if you draw attention to the DRS statement on the day you introduce the syllabus. Please do not have students discuss their specific needs within the hearing of other students. Please arrange to meet with the student outside of class time.