Instructors' rights
Right to verification of accommodations
SSD is the only office designated to review disability documentation and determine eligibility for appropriate accommodations. Instructors should not solicit or review a student’s documentation, or seek to arrange accommodations directly with the student. If a student does not request accommodations and provide an accommodation letter from SSD, instructors are not obligated to provide accommodations.
Right to maintain academic and program standards
Instructors have the right to uphold academic standards and the integrity of courses and academic programs as well as conduct and technical standards of a course or program of study. Instructors have the right to contact SSD if they believe an accommodation fundamentally alters a course's content or integrity.
Instructor responsibilities
ºûµûÖ±²¥ instructors have a legal and ethical responsibility to ensure the provision of accommodations that afford enrolled students with disabilities equal access to, and participation in, all institutional programs and activities.
The goal of academic accommodations is to facilitate equitable access for all course-related activities. SSD is the appropriate entity on campus for determining and authorizing equal access accommodations. It is the legal responsibility of the instructors to implement the authorized accommodations.
Instructors do not have the right to inquire about the nature of a student's disability. Instructors should not request or accept disability documentation, doctor’s notes, therapist contact, etc. from a student.
Instructors have a responsibility to refer a student to SSD if a student discloses that they have a disability or if they have questions about accommodations. Our recommendation is that the instructor make the referral via email so that the student has all the necessary contact information.
Provide notice regarding accommodations for students with disabilities
Notify students that accommodations are available. The most effective ways for instructors to do this are:
- Announcing during the initial class session that accommodations are available for eligible students with disabilities through the SSD
- Including a statement in the course syllabus
Protect student privacy and confidentiality
Instructors are to maintain student confidentiality and treat all disability-related information as confidential. Although instructors do not have the right to ask about the nature of the disability, if students choose to disclose their disability, this information should be treated privately.
Instructors should not identify a student with a disability in class or openly discuss accommodations or disability issues in front of others. Meet privately with a student when presented with and reviewing the academic accommodation letter.
Collaborate with student and SSD staff in arranging and providing accommodations
Implementing accommodations for students with disabilities can be a complex and time-sensitive process. Some accommodations require instructors to engage with a member of SSD to modify course materials (e.g., enlarge fonts, captioning, accessible PDFs, braille), learn how to use instructional technology or relocate classrooms to an accessible location. Reach out to SSD if you have a concern about an accommodation fundamentally altering your course content or integrity.