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Faculty Information - Classroom Accommodation Procedures
Bottom Line
Students with documented disabilities are entitled to reasonable accommodations in the classroom as long as the accommodation does not compromise the integrity of the course (i.e. grading standards; quantity of information).
Accommodation Requests
- All accommodation requests must come through Disability Services (DS) and be accompanied by a "Disability Certification" form signed by the DS Coordinator
**Exception: students whose disabilities and subsequent needs are obvious may be accommodated at the instructor's discretion without going through DS (e.g. blind student bringing a guide dog to class; student in wheelchair needing lower lab table), but referral to DS is still recommended
- Students are responsible for initiating contact with DS, providing the Disability Certification to the instructor and making arrangements for accommodations as needed (for distance students and instructors, this may be done electronically)
- Instructors should review the Certification forms with the student, discuss arrangements, then sign the form and return it to DS (instructors may retain a copy for their information, but it should not become part of students' academic files)
- Accommodation requests must be made in advance of the need (preferably at the beginning of each semester), and accommodations requiring special arrangements (e.g. alternative exams) must be requested at least two weeks in advance
**Exception: on rare occasions a disability may have a sudden exacerbation that would warrant a request for retroactive accommodations (e.g. an extreme diabetic reaction causes a student to miss an exam and the student requests a make-up exam)
- If the instructor cannot provide the requested accommodation, alternate arrangements may be discussed with the student and the DS Coordinator
Test Accommodations
- Eligibility for test accommodations is determined by the DS Coordinator and based on the disability-related limitations experienced by the individual students
- Appropriate accommodations will be indicated on the Disability Certification form which will detail the accommodation and describe the circumstances under which the accommodation should be provided. Any accommodations beyond those marked on the form should be discussed with the DS Coordinator.
- If test accommodations are being made within the department, please be sure that
1) The student's right to confidentiality is maintained
2) A proctor is provided who is aware of the parameters of the accommodations (amount of time, verbatim text reading, taking dictation, etc.)
3) Arrangements are made for delivery of the exam to and from the accommodation site
- If test accommodations are being made through DS, the following should occur:
1) The student notifies DS of the exam at least two weeks in advance
2) DS arranges a room and proctor for the exam-all attempts will be made to schedule the time to overlap with the regular class time; if conflicts arise, the instructor will be contacted to reach a satisfactory resolution
**Exception: DS testing hours are 8-5, M-F; evening and weekend students needing accommodation services must arrange for the exams to be given during those time
3) The exam is Delivered to DS by either the instructor, a designee of the instructor, or the proctor; in order to ensure academic integrity, students should not deliver their own tests
4) Special instructions should be included in writing with the exam (e.g. open book test; turn in Part I before receiving Part II)
5) The proctor completes a "Test Administration" form and returns it with the exam to the instructor
Other Information
- Although students are required to disclose the existence of a disability to their instructors in order to receive accommodations, they are not required to provide them with a diagnosis or any other details; students are encouraged to develop an open dialogue with instructors, but it is ultimately the student's decision to disclose information; any level of disability information about which instructors become aware should remain confidential
- Please help make students aware of Disability Services by putting a statement such as the following in each course syllabus.
Students with disabilities are entitled to reasonable accommodations in their classes. If you have a disability that may require accommodation, please contact the Disability Services office in Student Services as early as possible in the semester.
- If you have any questions or concerns at any time, please feel free to contact
Kathy Meier at 406-771-4311 or katherine.meier@msugf.edu. Thank you very much for your support and cooperation!
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