Faculty Support for Accommodations
You are here
In accordance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, "No otherwise qualified person with a disability in the United States... shall, solely by reason of... disability, be denied the benefits of, be excluded from participation in, or be subject to discrimination under any program or activity receiving federal financial assistance."
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 guarantees persons with disabilities their civil rights. The ADA upholds and extends standards of compliance set forth in Section 504, and ensures that students with disabilities remain free from discrimination, and have equal opportunities in all areas of postsecondary education.
Both these civil rights statutes were designed to prevent discrimination against individuals with disabilities. In accordance with these guidelines, the ADA & the Office of Student Enrichment ensures that CWI remains in compliance, and that students with disabilities are provided with the services they need. Students with disabilities, with appropriate accommodations, have the same right to succeed or fail as any other student.
Flexibility with Attendance
Students are expected and encouraged to attend class and meet deadlines for assignments and tests. Faculty have the right to establish attendance and late work policies. However, if a student has a disability with random or cyclical acute episodes that may occasionally impact their ability to attend class at the scheduled time, flexibility in attendance may be considered an appropriate accommodation. The number of allowable absences depends on the interactive or participatory nature of a course, or is based on department, college or accrediting agency rules.
Student Disability Services is unable to make any fundamental alterations to a course, including attendance. It is our goal to help students complete their courses successfully, but there may be times when missing too many classes can affect their success in college.
There are a few guidelines we take into consideration with attendance modification accommodations taken directly from the Office of Civil Rights (OCR) :
- Is there classroom interaction between the instructor and students and among students?
- Do student contributions constitute a significant component of the learning process?
- To what degree does a student’s failure to attend constitute a significant loss to the educational experience of other students in the class?
- What do the course description and syllabus say?
- What are the classroom practices and policies regarding attendance?
That being said, our office will accommodate modified attendance unless it threatens the integrity of the course as offered. Our office wants to make sure students requesting this accommodation meet with each of their instructors and then they can make an informed decision regarding alternatives if needed.
Flexibility with Assignments
Students are expected and encouraged to meet deadlines for assignments and tests. Faculty has a right to establish late work policies. However, if a student has a disability that may occasionally impact their ability to complete assignments and tests at the scheduled time, flexibility in assignment deadlines is considered an appropriate accommodation. Hopefully, a student’s disability will not interfere with timely completion of assignments; however, if the student has a disability with random or cyclical acute episodes, the accommodation allows for flexibility in assignment deadlines and make‐up work.
This accommodation is recommended when:
- An assignment was not listed on the syllabus initially and is given to students one week or less to complete;
- The assignment deadline is listed on the syllabus but the student did not get the necessary information to complete it until there is one week or less to the deadline;
- An unexpected medical or physical episode interferes with the student’s ability to complete the work in the expected timeframe.
The number of days given for each assignment extension depends on the interactive or participatory nature of a course, or is based on department, college or accrediting rules. If special consideration in meeting deadlines is needed, students need to work with the instructor to determine the maximum extension that can be given before compromising the integrity of the course/program.
In general, assignments with more than one week to complete can be done successfully with proper management and planning and only warrant an accommodation when an unexpected disability-related episode occurs that prevents the student from following through, regardless of how much the student got done prior to that time.
Unexpected illness or injury, recent diagnosis, onset or change in condition may warrant a withdrawal or incomplete from a course. In those cases, the school process should be followed.
Students must factor in the reality of their own personal situation and use time effectively to complete assignments. Taking a heavy course load, having a job outside of school or other family commitments do not justify allowing an accommodation even if they have a diagnosed disability that may otherwise support this accommodation.
Some instructors allow all students in their class more time than they believe is needed for students to complete assignments and/or exams. For example, an instructor gives an assignment they believe should only take two days to complete but allows students three days. If all students in the class are provided “extended time” or buffer time to complete assignments, legal guidance suggests that it would be discriminatory not to provide the extended time in addition to the time given to all students in the course.
Considerations when determining reasonable extensions of assignment deadlines:
- What is the purpose of the assignment? Is it necessary to have it completed before an exam? Before a discussion?
- What does the syllabus say about deadlines?
- Are students required to actively participate in class discussions/activities?
- How is participation figured into the final grade?
- How are students expected to interact with each other (in class, group work outside of class, via Blackboard/e-mail)?
- Is the material being learned in the class sequentially? Does each week’s material build on the material learned in the previous week(s)?
- Are there other lab or class sections the student could attend to catch up on missed material?
- What general policies exist for making up missed exams, pop quizzes? Turning in late work?
- Could missed assignments be turned in via discussion board/e-mail?
- Are tests to be taken at a specific time and place, or is there a window when the test can be taken?
- Is it possible for students to “work ahead” in this class?
When listed on the letter of accommodation, course instructors are asked to consider whether or not such an accommodation would be reasonable for the class and the assignment(s) in question. It is recommended that the student receive 1-2 additional days at most as an accommodation when reasonable.
Points to consider in making a final decision include:
- Assess the average time all students are expected to spend on the project relative to the deadline and if the disability situation necessitates an extension beyond this deadline.
- Is it feasible to assign the project to the student with the disability in advance of other students while keeping the deadline consistent?
- The accommodation does not have to be implemented if it becomes a fundamental alteration to the course; it is highly recommended to consult with Disability Services before making final decision.
Instructors who have questions about how to best incorporate this accommodation into a class or who do not believe an assignment extension is reasonable should consult with Student Disability Services before making a final decision.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
What is the Student Disability Services office?
The Student Disability Services office exists to help ensure all students at College of Western Idaho have equal access to the programs and services the College provides according to law. In addition to providing auxiliary aids and services to students with documented disabilities, the office is a resource to the College about disability services.
12261 -
One of my students claims they have a disability and need accommodations. What should I do?
If a student reveals they have a disability to an instructor, the instructor may refer them to Student Disability Services. As a general rule, faculty should not ask students to disclose or ask questions about a student’s disability status. If a student is struggling with coursework and there is not an active Letter of Accommodation, Instructors can provide Student Disability Services information as one of the many student support resources given to students who are struggling. Student Disability Services should not be provided as the only resource and it should never be assumed that a student has a disability.
College of Western Idaho believes students should develop skills of self-advocacy, be aware of their disabilities, and assist in the process of finding strategies to be successful. Ultimately, it is the student’s decision to seek assistance from the Student Disability Services.
12262 -
A student has requested accommodations, but I have not received a Letter of Accommodation for them. What should I do?
Letters of Accommodations (LOA) are sent to CWI email addresses for Instructor and student after their accommodations have been requested; typically at the start of the semester. If you did not receive this email, you can verify all of your students with active accommodations in the Faculty Access Portal on the Student Disability Services Faculty Support Webpage. If your student does not have active accommodations in place, please refer them to Student Disability Services.
12266 -
What if I am not agreeable to a particular accommodation?
Instructors are entitled to work with the student to provide reasonable accommodation. For questions about reasonable modifications or concerns, please contact Student Disability Services at 208.562.2410 or 208.562.2496.
12267 -
What if a student does not use every accommodation that is listed on their Letter of Accommodation?
Each class has different demands, so it is up to the student to decide which accommodations to use. It is also the student’s responsibility to remind the instructor which accommodations they will need.
12268 -
Is the Student Disability Services Letter of Accommodation retroactive?
No. Accommodations begin when the student discusses their Letter of Accommodation (LOA) with their instructor and the LOA has been sent to both student and Instructor by email. Students must have a new Letter of Accommodation each semester with the current accommodations listed.
12269 -
A student is having difficulty in my class, but does not have a Student Disability Services Letter of Accommodation. What should I do?
As a general rule, faculty should not ask students to disclose or ask questions about a student’s disability status. If a student is struggling with coursework and there is not an active Letter of Accommodation, Instructors can provide Student Disability Services information as one of the many student support resources given to students who are struggling. Student Disability Services should not be provided as the only resource and it should never be assumed that a student has a disability.
College of Western Idaho believes students should develop skills of self-advocacy, be aware of their disabilities, and assist in the process of finding strategies to be successful. Ultimately, it is the student’s decision to seek assistance from the Student Disability Services.
12270 -
A student with testing accommodations needs extended time, a reduced distraction testing room, and a reader. What do I do?
- Instructors fill out one (1) Alternative Testing Agreement (ATA) for each of their classes with students who have testing accommodations, at the beginning of the semester. The ATA can be accessed by a link on the LOA or through their Faculty Access Portal on the Faculty Support for Accommodations page.
- If a student needs testing accommodations, it is the student’s responsibility to remind the instructor of their needs 3 days prior to the test date and schedule with Testing Services if taking their test with accommodations arranged through their services.
- Instructors submit the exam to the appropriate Testing Services location where proctors implement the student’s chosen accommodations within guidance of your regular testing procedures outlined in the ATA.
12271 -
As an instructor, what else can I do to help students receiving accommodations?
Instructors can help by:
- Taking the time to read the student’s Letter of Accommodation.
- Asking questions if an accommodation request is not clear. Communication and compliance are important keys to accommodating students with disabilities.
- Adding a reminder about services for students with disabilities to the course syllabus, including contact information for Student Disability Services.
- Announcing to class that students with accommodations need to make an appointment with you to discuss their specific accommodation needs. This helps ensure student privacy and inadvertent disclosure of a student’s disability status does not occur in front of others.
- Not accepting disability diagnostic documentation directly from the student. Instructors receive a copy of the Letter of Accommodation by CWI email and can access the most up to date version of it in the Faculty Access Portal.
- Staying in contact with students who receive accommodations.
- Referring students to Student Disability Services or Student Support Services as personal and/or academic concerns arise.
- Contacting Student Disability Services immediately if questions or concerns arise.
- Remembering that participation by a student is voluntary and they are responsible for the choices they make.
12272