The 3 R s of Disability Support Services: Rights, Responsibilities, and Recommendations

The 3 R s of Disability Support Services: Rights, Responsibilities, and Recommendations SEAPD-STEM Annual Conference Auburn University August 26, 2017 Tamara Massey-Garrett, M.S. Glen E. Ray, Ph.D.

Legal Responsibilities of Postsecondary Institutions Legal obligation to ensure campus and related activities are accessible: Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) ADAAA 2008 US Department of Education Dear Colleague Letter Case law & OCR ruling Copyright 2017, AUM Center for Disability Services. All rights reserved. 2

Understanding Your Institution s Responsibility What does this all mean? Institutions are required to provide access to programs and activities by providing reasonable accommodations to: Qualified individuals with disabilities. Individuals who have a documented disability. How do you do this? Through collaboration between your Institution s Disability Support Services (DSS), faculty, departments, programs and individuals with disabilities. Copyright 2017, AUM Center for Disability Services. All rights reserved. 4

Responsibilities of DSS The main DSS goal is to ensure a physical and academic accessible university environment. DSS provides accommodations in a timely manner by: Application process Student self-identifies. Reviews student documentation, conducts intake interview and determines accommodations. Accommodation process Prepares accommodation memo and contract for both student and instructor. Implements accommodations utilizing DSS resources. DSS can provide provisionary and temporary services. Copyright 2017, AUM Center for Disability Services. All rights reserved. 6

AUM CDS DISABILITY CATEGORIES 2015-2016 3% 0% 3% 2% 7% 26% 4% 26% 29% ADHD Psychological Health LD TBI & PTSD Deaf & Hard of Hearing Blind & Low Vision Mobility Other & Temporary Copyright 2017, AUM Center for Disability Services. All rights reserved.

Responsibilities of Faculty Faculty provide an accommodation statement in their course syllabus (see next slides). Faculty and student discuss accommodation memo (in person, or hybrid & online classes may involve emailing, Skype, etc.). Sign Accommodation Contract & return to DSS (some systems sign electronically). Faculty provide accommodations in a fair and timely manner. Maintain confidentiality of all student documents. Copyright 2017, AUM Center for Disability Services. All rights reserved. 8

SYLLABUS STATEMENT EXAMPLE Example for an instructor with office hours and teaching on campus: Disability Accommodations: Students who need accommodations are asked to arrange a meeting during office hours to discuss your accommodations. If you have a conflict with my office hours, an alternate time can be arranged. To set up this meeting, please contact me by e-mail. If you have not registered for accommodation services through the Center for Disability Services (CDS), but need accommodations, make an appointment with CDS, 147 Taylor Center, or call 334-244-3631 or e-mail CDS at cds@aum.edu. 9 Copyright 2017, AUM Center for Disability Services. All rights reserved.

SYLLABUS STATEMENT EXAMPLE Example for an online course: Disability Accommodations: Students who need accommodations are asked to contact me by e-mail to discuss your accommodations. If you have not registered for accommodation services through the Center for Disability Services (CDS), but need accommodations, make an appointment with CDS, 147 Taylor Center, or call 334-244-3631 or e-mail CDS at cds@aum.edu. 10 Copyright 2017, AUM Center for Disability Services. All rights reserved.

Responsibilities of Faculty Faculty are strongly encouraged to contact DSS with questions/suggestions regarding the appropriateness of a required accommodation. (*this is an interactive process) Faculty are encouraged to refer students who are requesting accommodations without the official DSS accommodation memo. May need to provide course materials in alternate formats upon request: Videos may need captioning, exams and/or handouts may need to be converted into for electronic/e-text. 504 Grievance Policy. (Each Institution has a 504 policy). Copyright 2017, AUM Center for Disability Services. All rights reserved. 11

Faculty Have The Right To: Hold all students to academic and technical standards. Obtain information about a student s accommodations (but not the disability/condition). Consult with DSS staff regarding alternative accommodations: For example-oral exams, video presentations, Independent study, etc. Expect all students to abide by student code of conduct and student academic honesty code as outlined in the course syllabus and University policies. Copyright 2017, AUM Center for Disability Services. All rights reserved. 12

Faculty Have The Right To: Award grades appropriate to student knowledge and skill in class. Fail a student who does not meet the passing grade criteria. Deny accommodations NOT approved by DSS. Determine course content and how it will be taught. Contact DSS about concerns regarding student accommodations throughout semester. Copyright 2017, AUM Center for Disability Services. All rights reserved. 13

Faculty DO NOT Have The Right To: Deny an approved accommodation through DSS. Challenge the legitimacy of a student s disability. Access student s documentation (diagnostic data, medical history, medications). Copyright 2017, AUM Center for Disability Services. All rights reserved. 14

General Considerations Some students may contact DSS and/or professor requesting accommodation services before or early in the semester. Other students may not. Students with disabilities are required to register with DSS if they want accommodations. Some disabilities are visible, for example, use of wheelchair or a person using a cane who is blind. Other students have hidden disabilities, which are not apparent, e.g. learning disabilities, some psychological and medical conditions. Copyright 2017, AUM Center for Disability Services. All rights reserved. 15

General Considerations Flexibility in applying attendance regarding students with mobility, psychological and chronic medical disabilities would be reasonable and helpful. If you suspect that a student has a disability, seek guidance from CDS. Do not assume a student has a disability if disability is not visible. Copyright 2017, AUM Center for Disability Services. All rights reserved. 16

Recommendations for Faculty If a student appears to be displaying academic difficulties that are not similar to perceived ability, then meet with student privately to discuss. However, statements should not be made to a student that can be perceived as assuming the student has a disability. Document all conversations regarding having a disability, referrals to student services departments, accommodations, etc. Copyright 2017, AUM Center for Disability Services. All rights reserved. 17

Recommendations for Faculty Can I look at a student s documentation concerning their disability? The student s documentation is given in confidence to DSS. By law, students have the right not to share any information about their disability. However, some students may choose to share information to faculty. As long as a student presents you with their accommodation memo, you are required to implement the accommodation(s) as needed in consultation with the student. Copyright 2017, AUM Center for Disability Services. All rights reserved. 18

Recommendations for Faculty May I accommodate a student on my own? Yes, if you have the resources to provide the approved accommodation. Please note that CDS does not recommend providing accommodations to a student who has not submitted an accommodation memo from CDS or provide an accommodation that is not listed on the accommodation memo. If a file is pending and/or under extenuating circumstances, CDS may contact faculty and ask for accommodations to be provided. Copyright 2017, AUM Center for Disability Services. All rights reserved. 19

Recommendations for Faculty Am I required to provide accommodations to a student that notifies me late in the semester? Yes. Perhaps a student could not get registered at the beginning of the semester. Some students try to take a class without accommodations and end up realizing they need to use their accommodations. However, CDS strongly encourages students to submit their accommodation request early in the semester. Copyright 2017, AUM Center for Disability Services. All rights reserved. 20

Recommendations for Faculty If a student presents an accommodation memo in the middle of the semester, does the memo cover the student from the beginning of the semester? No. The accommodations start the day the student discusses accommodations with you. Accommodations are not retroactive and will not apply to previous work before the accommodation memo is presented. Copyright 2017, AUM Center for Disability Services. All rights reserved. 21

Recommendations for Faculty How will I know if a student needs an accommodation in my classroom? The student will give you an accommodation memo that verifies that he/she is qualified to receive accommodations. The memo also states what types of accommodations the student will need. If they deliver the memo and you are unable to meet in a timely manner, it s recommended you provide the accommodations listed in the memo (e.g.: testing accommodations). Then during your meeting, you can add and/or modify as applicable to your class. Copyright 2017, AUM Center for Disability Services. All rights reserved. 22

Accommodation - Note taker Requests If a student requests assistance in locating a note taker, DSS procedures for note taker requests are as follows: 1. Students are asked to identify a volunteer classmate to take notes. 2. If unable to identify a person to take notes, ask professor for assistance. Faculty may ask a person individually or announce to the class. Unless agreed upon by the student, do not point out/announce student s name in front of class. 3. If student and faculty member are not able to find a note taker in the class, then CDS should be informed by the student and CDS will attempt to locate a note taker or make other arrangements. Copyright 2017, AUM Center for Disability Services. All rights reserved. 23

Absence Accommodation 1. Students with disabilities are expected to adhere to the same attendance policies as other students. 2. Students with health related and mental health disabilities will most likely request modified attendance policies. 3. The accommodation memo will have an absence accommodation statement and a copy of the Absence Accommodation Contract for faculty to review and discuss with student. 4. DSS recommends that students with a disability related need for flexibility in attendance meet with faculty to discuss the extent of modifications for attendance, will it be reasonable, how will work, missed quizzes, and exams be made up. 5. Medical withdrawals may be considered if absences become excessive. Copyright 2017, AUM Center for Disability Services. All rights reserved. 24

How To Make A Referral Request a meeting with student to discuss their academic performance as with any student having difficulties in class. Present apparent facts to the student without making any judgement. Inquire about what might be impacting the student s progress in class. Let the student explain their situation. It s okay to ask the student if this is a pattern they have seen in other classes or for a long period of time. If the student discloses their disability, that their difficulties are disability related or think they have a disability, refer to DSS. Let students know there are campus resources available to them such as tutoring, academic success and counseling centers, health services, and DSS. Copyright 2017, AUM Center for Disability Services. All rights reserved. 25

Contact Information Tamara Massey-Garrett, Center for Disability Services Taylor Center 153 334-244-3754 tmassey2@aum.edu Dr. Glen E. Ray, Professor & Chair Dept. of Psychology 334-244-3690 gray@aum.edu Copyright 2017, AUM Center for Disability Services. All rights reserved.