Creating a win~win relationship Talking to your professors

Counselor meeting Review self-assessment form and work together to develop an accommodation plan. IEP and 504 plans do not automatically transfer to college You will leave the meeting with an copy of your accommodation plan Your accommodation letter will be sent to you via your syr account within 24/48 hours (weekends not included).

Accommodation letter Does NOT share the particulars of your disability. Does share the accommodations that you and your counselors determined were appropriate. It is your responsibility to share and discuss the accommodation letter with your professors. Accommodations cannot be given unless the professor is aware of the need for the accommodations Accommodations are not retroactive.

When to meet with your professor Visit your professor during office hours (usually listed on the syllabus). If you cannot make it to office hours (you have another class during that time, etc.) the professor to set up an appointment. Do not try to have the conversation right before or after your class This does not assure confidentiality.

Preparing for your meeting Print a copy of your accommodation letter. This will be for your professors’ records so you will need one for each class. You may want to also have a copy for TAs if the will be overseeing any accommodations. Review the syllabus to determine if there is anything specific you need to address (group work, labs, in class graded assignments).

How much information to share You do not have to share specifics of your disability. Decide how much you are willing to share. If you decide to share, use everyday language and be brief. Stick to the facts If you don’t want to share and the professor asks, what do you do? “I am not comfortable sharing that information with you. But I am willing to talk about the accommodations and how they will be provided.”

Where to start Hello my name is _____ and I am in your _____ class that meets _______. I would like to talk to you about something that is important to me and is related to my participation in your class. Hello my name is _____ and I am in your _____ class that meets _______. I have a disability and am going to require some academic accommodations in your class.

Know your disability Even if you are not comfortable sharing it is important in knowing how your disability affects you. It helps to guide how you talk to your professors about your needs and what accommodations are most important. You can use your ODS self-assessment here as a guide.

What should be discussed Classroom accommodations What accommodations have been put into place for you to get the most out of your classroom experience? It is your responsibility to share and discuss the accommodation letter with your professors. What is ODS doing to support you in these accommodations? What can the professor do to support these accommodations?

What should be discussed Testing accommodations: Are tests going to be administered by the professor with your accommodations in place? When and where will this be done? Is ODS going to be administering the exams? If there are time conflicts or if you have disability related need to take the tests at an alternate time, when would it be best to do so?

What should be discussed Additional accommodations: There are additional accommodations that require direct and in- depth conversations with your professors. When this is the case, you will discuss this with your ODS counselor when you meet with them and develop your accommodation plan.

What happen if the professor if... They don’t want to take your accommodation letter? Do not feel that accommodations are fair? Ask you questions that make you feel uncomfortable? Suggest a testing situation that you don’t think meets your accommodations. Speak to your ODS counselor right aways