Introduction, Process for Requesting Services & Accommodations

The purpose of this handbook is to give some definition to ADA-defined disabilities and to provide some instructional suggestions to provide reasonable accommodations to students with special needs.  It is the student's responsibility to request an accommodation.

Notification of Need for Accommodation:

As a member of the faculty, you have the closest immediate contact with students who have disabilities, and the institute relies on you to be sensitive to those who request an accommodation for a disability as defined by the ADA.  In some cases, these students will have already identified their need for accommodation to the Wellness Center, and accommodations may have already been arranged.

In some cases, the student may request that you make some accommodation.  Should you receive such a request and are unsure whether the student has an ADA-defined disability, you should direct the student to the Wellness Center.

Confidentiality:

Confidentiality of all disability information is essential.  At no time should the class be informed that a student has a disability, except at the student's express request.  All disability information that the student gives to the faculty member is to be used specifically for arranging reasonable accommodations for his or her course of study.

Process for requesting services and accommodations:

The student with a disability is often the best source of information regarding necessary accommodations.  In post secondary settings it is the students' responsibility to request special accommodation if desired.  Request must be made through the Zelpha McKinnon Wellness Center.  The Wellness Center will require the student to provide the appropriate documentation of the disability from a qualified medical and/or mental health professional.  An assessment and determination of whether the documentation indicates the student meets the criteria for services will then be made.  The appropriate faculty and/or staff will be informed by the Wellness Center that they will be expected to provide services and accommodations for a particular student.  The communication will include name of student, specific disability and recommended accommodations.

Denial of Accommodation:

In no cases should you deny the request.  Because denial of a request for accommodation could result in claims of illegal discrimination and litigation against the individual professor as well as the Institute.  If you feel a request for accommodation is unreasonable, work with your department chair and Wellness Center to attempt to resolve the issue.