AGENDA Expectations and Responsibilities COPPS: Accessibility Statements Responding to Accommodation Requests Confidentiality COPPS: Providing Accommodations Legal Consequences of Not Providing Accommodations COPPS: Discrimination and Retaliation Legal Requirements vs. Best Practices Resources

EXPECTATIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES FOR DISABILITY RESOURCES FOR STUDENTS FOR FACULTY FOR STAFF

DISABILITY RESOURCES EXPECTATIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES Respond to students, faculty, staff Determine appropriate student accommodations Develop Letter of Accommodation (LOA) Prepare/set up student accommodations Collaborate/coordinate accommodations with faculty Facilitate problem solving Provide training and resources to faculty, staff

STUDENT EXPECTATIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES Formally request DR accommodations Share LOA with faculty privately as soon as possible in order to use specific accommodations that term In advance, privately discuss with faculty which LOA accommodations are pertinent for that class and how they will be implemented Work out anticipated complex accommodations well in advance Contact DR to resolve/discuss any problems or concerns

FACULTY EXPECTATIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES Use the most recent accessibility statement on syllabus, and review it verbally with the class Respond immediately to student requests for accommodations, ensuring confidentiality Be available to privately discuss LOA and implementation Consult with DR whenever questions/concerns come up Develop alternative assignments when access is an issue Access is a priority: All courses must be developed (and should be revised) to be accessible. Distance Learning should have accessible web content. Classrooms should be accessible Do not discriminate or retaliate on the basis of disability

STAFF EXPECTATIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES If a student has disclosed a disability, staff can make referrals to DR when appropriate Ensure student confidentiality in all department environments or when referring to a disabled student by name Support faculty in providing accommodations, preparing alternate format materials and creating/maintaining accessible environments

COPPS: ACCESSIBILITY STATEMENTS New DR Accessibility Statements published on COPPS: 1. Syllabus Access Statement 2. Publication Access Statement 3. Event Access Statement

RESPONDING TO STUDENT ACCOMMODATION REQUESTS Regardless of when the student approaches you to discuss accommodation requests/concerns, respond supportively “I’m not sure I can meet that request so late in the term, but I’ll consult Disability Resources and get back to you.” “I have questions about whether that is an appropriate accommodation for this class, so I’ll consult with DR and get back to you.” Let’s discuss that in private… how about 2pm tomorrow for a phone meeting or in my office?

CONFIDENTIALITY Pay close attention to what you say about students to and in front of others Pay close attention to what you say over about students… use neutral, professional language Make sure you do not have hallway/public conversations about private issues, even if the student initiates it If you get a copy of a student’s LOA, make sure to keep it in a secure location and when done, shred it Consult with DR about complicated situations of privacy in the classroom

COPPS: PROVIDING ACCOMMODATIONS Faculty are to meet privately with a student to clarify accommodations in that class When faculty have concerns: Clarify with DR Explore alternate ideas with DR Come up with mutually acceptable alternatives w/student Under no circumstances should faculty refuse to provide requested, approved accommodations without consulting with DR in advance

LEGAL CONSEQUENCES OF NOT PROVIDING ACCOMMODATIONS The college’s priority is for students to have access to learning. Additionally, the college spends time and energy on complaints and legal processes, as well as damages, fines, legal fees and other settlement expenses. Some sources of legal recourse for students include: Lane’s informal and formal ADA/504 Complaint Process Office for Civil Rights (OCR) Complaints Department of Justice (DOJ) Complaints Lawsuits against the college and faculty/staff individually

COPPS: DISCRIMINATION/RETALIATION IS PROHIBITED Lane does not discrimination or retaliate against disabled students related to: Course Enrollment/Re-Enrollment Previous Grievances or Complaints

LEGAL REQUIREMENTS vs. BEST PRACTICES AT LANE EMPLOYEES SHOULD: Take seriously the legal requirements of the college Utilize the expertise of Disability Resources to interpret those legal expectations Be aware of personal risks of ignoring DR’s advice LANE’S BEST PRACTICES: Focus on inclusion of all students Focus on teaching/creating environments that don’t require people to ask for accommodations or special help

RESOURCES Consult with students, the experts about their disability issues Consult with DR advisors Arrange training regarding working with and accommodating disabled students in the classroom Utilize the DR website (Faculty can particularly review the TEACH pages: Review the PCC video on web accessibility: Other college DR websites, such as: