Students with Disabilities and AccommodationsTia Jones, Interim Director of the American Sign Language Program

What does the term DISABILITY refer to?• A disability is a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or

more major life activity.

• "Disability" can be broken down into a number of broad sub-categories, such as: Mobility and Physical Impairments Spinal Cord Disability Head Injuries - Brain Disability Vision Disability Deafness (Hearing Disabilities) Cognitive or Learning Disabilities Psychological Disorders Other Invisible Disabilities

Under law who is considered disabled?Under The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of Rehabilitation Act of 1973, an individual with a disability is a person who:

1) has a documented physical or mental impairment;

2) has a record of such an impairment; or

3) is regarded as having such an impairment.

What does the law require for educators?It requires educators to provide students with disabilities equal access to education.

What does that mean in terms of standards in the classroom?Standards should be the same for all students; however, some students with disabilities may exhibit their knowledge, production, and other course expectations differently than their peers.

For example, a student with a learning disability in writing may produce an essay exam by using a computer or scribe rather than writing out (by hand) an answer. The computer or scribe is considered an accommodation.

**THE QUALITY OF THE WORK SHOULD BE WHAT IS EVALUATED.**

How do I know if a student has a disability?

• The student will to come to you to self-disclose. YOU CANNOT approach a student and ask them.

• Once they self-disclose:You cannot ask a student what the disability is. The specifics of the disability cannot be

disclosed due to confidentiality issues. The student may choose to share with you what the disability is. If they do share with you, that is fine but that is up to them and YOU CANNOT share it with anyone else.

They will provide you with paperwork that will request the specific accommodations. It maybe a letter provided by the Office of Student Life Disability Services or a proctor form.

If they do not provide anything, you ask the student to bring/send you a letter verifying that he or she has a disability.

From that point on, you are REQUIRED to make accommodations to the course and assignments for that student.

What are accommodations?• Accommodations are changes to materials or procedures that

provide equitable access to information and assessment to enable students with disabilities to participate meaningfully.

• Reasonable accommodations DO NOT fundamentally alter the essential nature of a course or academic program. 

• The Office of Student Life Disability Services is the office on campus that determines appropriate accommodations. You and the student will then work together to apply those accommodations to the classroom.

The six main accommodation types

1) Exam Accommodations

2) Alternative Media

3) Sign Language Interpreting/Transcribing Services

4) Assistive Technology and Training Center (ATTC)

5) Note Taking Assistance

6) Counseling and Auxiliary Aids Staff Support

Remember…• Many students will come to you with “invisible disabilities”. oThey get to choose what they want to self-disclose to you. They

may or may not choose to tell you anything other than they need accommodations, it is their right.

• You do not need to make accommodations until you have the paperwork in hand.

• Accommodations are not retroactive and only begin once you have the paperwork.

Remember…• Students with disabilities are often good at being self advocates and making requests for accommodations. oAsk them what kind of accommodations have worked for them in

the past. oAsk them to work with you on keeping an open dialogue so that

you know what is working and what may not be working for them, adjust accordingly.

• Students with disabilities vary in their academic success.

• Accommodations may not be needed in every class.

Disability Services has some great information at

http://ods.osu.edu/faculty/instructor-handbook-teaching-students-with-disabilities/#mandates