Fletcher Center Teaching and Learning Resources: Accessibility and Usability

Disability Support Services (DSS) provides support for reasonable accommodations that allow students with disabilities to achieve access to education in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and its amendments. Accommodations allow students to be assessed on the basis of their knowledge of course content rather than the effects of their disability. The same grading standards should be used for all students. Reasonable accommodations are required of the instructor, not optional. If you feel that an accommodation jeopardizes essential functions or technical standards of a class or a program of study, contact the DSS coordinator for guidance.

Disability Support Services contacts instructors by email at the start of the semester with information about students in their classes who require accommodations. Students who need accommodations but who are not included in these communications should be referred to the DSS office. Accommodations may include: testing in a quiet, distraction-free area, extended testing time, audio recordings of tests, note takers, use of a tape recorder, special seating, captions or transcripts for orally presented materials, lecture outlines, use of a calculator, use of a word processor for assignments, or use of interpreters.

Confidentiality of all student information is essential. At no time should the class be informed that a student has a disability, unless the student makes a specific request to do so. The Student Code of Conduct regarding disruptive behavior applies to all students. Clearly state behavioral expectations for all students; discuss them openly in your classroom, on your syllabus, and with individual students as needed. If you require assistance, please contact the DSS office.

Visit Disability Support Services for additional information including a guide with tips for working with specific student populations.