It is imperative to include all the learning outcomes of the course as well as the format in which students are required to demonstrate mastery of the learning outcomes. Please describe all requirements related to labs, clinicals, class participation, and/or other class experiences that must be completed with specific dates and/or related timelines.
You must include a statement on your syllabi instructing students on how to request accommodations in your classes. An example of information to include on your syllabi is below:
“High Point University is committed to ensuring all students have equal access to all services and benefits while at High Point University. If you are a student with a disability and require academic accommodations due to a diagnosed disability, you must register with the Office of Accessibility Resources and Services (OARS) and submit the appropriate documentation. Requests for accommodations should be made at the beginning of a course. Accommodations are not retroactive. Contact OARS at [email protected] or by telephone at 336-841-9026, for additional information. OARS is located on the 4th Floor of Smith Library.”
If a student has requested accommodations in your class, you will receive an email from OARS detailing their specific accommodations in your class. Students must request their accommodations at the beginning of every semester for every class. If students request any accommodations which are not addressed on their official accommodation letter from OARS, please refer the student to OARS for review of their approved accommodations.
You can also view students’ accommodations through your Accommodate Portal.
ONLY the approved accommodations listed on the letter from OARS or in the Accommodate Portal are to be honored by the instructor. Although you may have received an accommodation notification on behalf of a student in a previous class and/or semester, you should not under any circumstances provide accommodations until you receive a notification from OARS specifically for the current class and/or semester, and the student has met with you to discuss the implementation of his/her accommodations.
Accommodations provided by faculty without authorization from OARS are legally considered University authorized accommodations even if the student doesn’t have documentation substantiating their need for the accommodation. Such circumstances open the University to possible litigation, as the student would have an established history of being considered a person with a disability and eligible for such accommodation(s). Consequently, it is inappropriate to provide any accommodations that are not authorized by OARS.
If you have not received a student’s accommodation notification letter, or a student requests an accommodation that is not on their approved accommodation notification letter, please have them contact OARS as soon as possible at [email protected] or by visiting during walk-in hours, located on the 4th floor of Smith Library, to properly request their accommodations for the current term.
The decision to utilize accommodations is completely up to the student. It is not the responsibility of the instructor or OARS to remind students to use their accommodations.
Any student with testing accommodations for extended time testing, distraction-reduced testing setting, reading software, etc. are welcome to take any and all exams (this includes tests or quizzes) in the testing center.
To schedule an exam, students must log into their Accommodate Portal and submit a testing request at least 3 business days before a regular exam or quiz, and at least 6 business days before a midterm or final exam.
Students are responsible for meeting all OARS Testing Center scheduling policies and deadlines.
IF you can proctor the exam for the student’s extended time that is great! However, if you are unable to do so, the student must request to schedule a test with OARS by visiting their Accommodate Portal at least 3 business days before the exam/quiz date, at least 6 business days before the midterm/final date.
If the student is registered through OARS and is approved for academic accommodations, OARS can host the exam. OARS only provides testing resources to students who are registered for academic accommodations. The only students who can take tests with OARS are students with approved and active accommodations.
Instructors must indicate how they can be reached for questions during the exam (i.e. email, text, phone call) on the Alternative Testing Agreement form. The link to the Alternative Testing Agreement form is included in the Notification of Academic Accommodations email to the instructor.
If the textbook is available for purchase, then the student will work with the Technology Specialist to obtain an accessible copy. Students must request each textbook and provide proof of purchase before receiving an alternative format. If you require students to read supplemental material that is not in the required textbook, advise the student to contact OARS to request for the materials to be reformatted.
Yes. However, quizzes, particularly “pop quizzes”, can be difficult to assure the student receives their accommodation. Please contact OARS and we can assist you in creating a plan of action.
Students who utilize reading software for exams may need to take their exams in the OARS Testing Center in order to utilize reader software. Reader assistive technologies are integrated into Blackboard, but paper exams require special consideration to ensure that the exam can be read aloud. If a student needs to test in OARS, the student must book a test room three business days advance notice for exam/quiz accommodations or six business dates for midterm/final accommodations to allow OARS time to contact faculty to obtain a copy of the exam, reformat it if necessary, and have it ready for the student to take in the testing center.
Yes. Students with various disabilities may have functional limitations that inhibit their ability to take detailed, beneficial, constructive notes during lectures. Students may utilize assistive technologies to record lectures, and incorporate any class handout or other materials, as well as their own notes they take during class if they have approved accommodations. Examples of assistive technology programs and devices include, but are not limited to; Genio, One Note, and Otter.ai.
You should require students to meet with you to discuss the implementation of their accommodations before allowing the use of electronic note-taking technology in the classroom. Students are NOT permitted to share the lectures, recordings, or files with anyone. Students who receive note-taking assistance and use of a computer for lecture notes as accommodations are required to sign a copy of the Recording Lecture Agreement form through their Accommodate Portal.
Some students with disabilities may receive consideration for absences as an approved accommodation. Students with this accommodation have provided documentation substantiating their medical condition and how it may sporadically interrupt their ability to participate in daily activities. OARS will work with faculty to complete the Consideration for Absences Course Agreement Plan and will be share the finalized agreement with the student. At OARS’ request, faculty are expected to submit a completed Consideration for Absences Agreement along with their course syllabi for review. Students are responsible for all information missed and assignments due. There may be some class activities such as labs, presentations, etc. that cannot be replicated and will need to be addressed on a case–by–case basis.
Yes! If students only require testing accommodations that you can provide such as extended time, a distraction-reduced environment, a computer for essay exams, etc., you are able to proctor students using their testing accommodations. However, if students require accommodations such as reader software or voice dictation, it may be necessary for them to utilize the technology resources in the OARS Testing Center. OARS is always available to host students taking exams with accommodations during OARS testing center hours (8:00 am – 9:00 pm). Students must log in to their Accommodate Portal and schedule an exam at least 3 business days before the exam/quiz date, and at least 6 business days before the midterm/final date.