One of the primary ways that instructors assist in the accommodation process is through the implementation of accommodations. While the specific processes related to implementing certain accommodations may differ, the key things to consider and general processes are the same.
Key Things to Consider
- All students should be held to the same academic and behavioral standards
- Accommodations should not change essential requirements
- Accommodations are not retroactive
- Accommodations should be kept private (to the greatest extent possible)
- Students are not required to and should not disclose their diagnosis to instructors
- Accommodations should be responded to in a timely manner
- All efforts should be made to ensure course materials are accessible
General Steps for Accommodation Implementation
- Accommodation process notification - At the start of every course, instructors should notify students of their rights to accommodations within the course, as well as how accommodations can be requested and implemented. This is generally done through the syllabus statement, but instructors can also make an announcement within the course.
- Instructor notification of SAS approved accommodations - Students are responsible for notifying instructors of their approved SAS accommodations. This occurs through an accommodation letter. An accommodation letter is the official notification of student accommodations. It contains the students approved SAS accommodations. Instructors can access accommodation letters through Accommodate.
- Student-instructor communication - While many accommodations will not require much dialogue, depending on the nature of the course and available resources, some accommodations will require a more comprehensive dialogue between the student and the instructor. SAS encourages students to reach out to instructors to discuss accommodations and SAS also encourages instructors to reach out to students. This communication is critical to ensuring effective accommodation implementation.
- Implementation of the accommodation - There are a wide range of different types of accommodations approved through SAS. Instructors should view the accommodation letter for more details on the accommodations for their students.
SAS Accommodations Guide: Procedures and Practices
SAS has created a guide that provides details about some of the more commonly approved accommodations. This guide includes information about:
- What the accommodations are
- Key things to know
- Student responsibilities
- Information about processes
- Implementation recommendations
- Common questions
As an instructor, if you have any additional questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to SAS. We will be happy to help!
SAS Accommodations Guide: Procedures and Practices
Syllabus Statement
As an instructor, it is important that you notify students that they can request accommodations and provide them with the information necessary for them to request accommodations. Instructors should include the following statement on their syllabi:
According to the Americans with Disabilities Act (as amended, 2008), each student with a disability has the right to request services from UNH to accommodate their disability. If you are a student with a documented disability or believe you may have a disability that requires accommodations, please contact Student Accessibility Services (SAS).
Accommodation letters are created by SAS with the student. Please follow-up with your instructor as soon as possible to ensure timely implementation of the identified accommodations in the letter. Faculty have an obligation to respond once they receive official notice of accommodations from SAS, but are under no obligation to provide retroactive accommodations.
For more information, contact SAS: 227 Smith Hall, www.unh.edu/sas, 603.862.2607, 711 (Relay NH) or sas.office@unh.edu.
