Accommodating Disabilities Adam Meyer Disability Resource Center (DRC)

Overview of DRC The Basics: Located in 240 Student Center (web site under construction) The Staff: Dr. Silva Goncalves (Assistant Director) Megan Zynda (Disability Advisor) Jackie Wilson (Secretary)

The Numbers 600 students 60 – 70%: ADD/LD Others: Health, psychological and physical Most Common Accommodations Extra time on exams Taking test out of classroom Student note-taker Attendance accommodation considerations

The General Process DRC Map Student to DRC Accommodation Letter to Student (PDF) Student presents letter to Course Instructor Student discusses with course instructor Instructor not responsible until student requests accommodations Course instructor works with student Involve DRC as necessary

About the Accommodation Letter Gives foundational need-to-know info Identifies differences in accommodations Timely Implementation (need to do on request) Extra time for exams Exam location Student Note-taker Warranting Discussion (“right” answer varies) Attendance accommodation Possible extended time on assignments

Student Responsibilities Share the letter with course instructors and other relevant parties at least one week prior to the need for an accommodation in a course (may lose opportunity to use accommodation otherwise) Initiate a meaningful conversation (beyond simply forwarding this letter in an ) with the course instructor Lead conversations reasonably prior to the event (test, paper, attendance policy, campus program, etc.) in question where accommodations are sought – once an event occurs, opportunity to use accommodations is often forfeited if no previous conversation took place with prior arrangements made Contact the DRC as necessary

Instructor Responsibilities Coordinate reasonable accommodations when timely students requests made; Assess appropriate action through discretion when students make accommodation requests less than one week prior to a course event; Consult with DRC as necessary Be respectful toward the student’s situation Wait for the student to contact the course instructor Be prudent with regard to whom you share student information

Ways to facilitate good experiences with students with disabilities… Disability is natural Advocacy varies Respect conversations Accommodations do not equal “wants”

Why do students need accommodations? The designed environment (such as a classroom) is not compatible with the impairment The root problem of a disability is often the environment and the subsequent interaction between environment and the impairment (environmental disconnect)

Inclusive Design within the Classroom Recognition NetworksStrategic NetworksAffective Networks The "what" of learningThe “how" of learningThe "why" of learning Present information and content in different ways Differentiate the ways students can express what they know Stimulate interest and motivation for learning

The Ideal Outcome