1. Goucher College 2018 - Drummond Woodsum
A Common Student Issue
Failing to timely notify of disability status and need for accommodation
Goucher College Drummond Woodsum

2. Goucher College 2018 - Drummond Woodsum
Basic Rule
A university cannot discriminate for failing to accommodate what it does not know
Goucher College Drummond Woodsum

3. Goucher College 2018 - Drummond Woodsum
Risk of Doing Too Much
Over-accommodation
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4. Goucher College 2018 - Drummond Woodsum
How Faculty May Help
Use a syllabus statement
To encourage students to register with the Office of Accessibility Services
Understand the campus’ policies and procedures
And follow these
Advanced planning between faculty and the Office of Accessibility Services may be necessary to ensure equal access
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5. Accommodation Analysis
Nexus exists between condition and requested accommodation
Accommodation is necessary to permit equal opportunity
Supported by documentation
Accommodation is appropriate
Does not compromise program expectations/technical standards
Does not impose undue burden
Does not give student unfair advantage
Does not fundamentally alter the course/program
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6. Goucher College 2018 - Drummond Woodsum
Student Expectations
You are a Professor in the Psychology Department. Your class is highly interactive and students are expected to make oral presentations to the class. Faye advises you that she is highly anxious and cannot possibly stand in front of a class and speak. She hands you a personal note from her treating therapist, someone you know from your personal life whom you respect.
How would you handle Faye’s situation?
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7. Goucher College 2018 - Drummond Woodsum
Tests
Why is a university obligated to provide test accommodations?
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8. Goucher College 2018 - Drummond Woodsum
Test Administration
Tests should be designed to accurately reflect a student’s aptitude or achievement level rather than impairment
Unless these skills are the factors the test purports to measure
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9. Goucher College 2018 - Drummond Woodsum
Testing
What role are you asked to play in facilitating a “distraction-reduced” testing environment?
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10. Goucher College 2018 - Drummond Woodsum
Other Accommodations
Felix is diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome
His documentation suggests that he be absolved from working on group projects due to his social communication difficulties and not to be called on in class
Felix is enrolled in your course
How can you accommodate Felix?
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11. Goucher College 2018 - Drummond Woodsum
Audio-Visual
Raul has a hearing impairment and is enrolled in a course utilizing film and multimedia
What kinds of implications would Raul’s enrollment present to you?
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12. More Time for everything?
A student enrolled in your course is requesting extended time for assignments, papers, group projects
Is the request reasonable?
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13. Goucher College 2018 - Drummond Woodsum
And what about . . .
Trigger warnings?
Eva is diagnosed with PTSD and is enrolled in a psychology course
She requests that as the professor you prohibit discussions, readings, videos, etc., dealing with sexual assault. How should you respond?
What if she says, okay, how about I leave the class, I am not tested on such content or have to participate in any such course content?
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14. Goucher College 2018 - Drummond Woodsum
Class Discussions
How do you handle a student who fairly regularly “takes over” your classroom discussion but insists you are harassing him due to his ADHD?
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15. Goucher College 2018 - Drummond Woodsum
Behavior
Jenny is diagnosed with ADHD. She says she has it under control, has learned coping strategies and needs no medication. She is enrolled in the School of Education and shares a lot about her experience working with students with disabilities in the field. You observed on her Facebook page that she has described some fairly personal details about a student from her student teaching and that student’s parents. How would you handle this discovery?
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16. Goucher College 2018 - Drummond Woodsum
Study Abroad
Jacob, who is blind, is interested in a travel abroad experience. Do you have concerns about Jacob’s plans? If so, how would you address your concerns?
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17. Goucher College 2018 - Drummond Woodsum
Hidden ADA Barriers
Access to Information
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18. Goucher College 2018 - Drummond Woodsum
Instructional access
In your highly interactive course, you are using some of the following instructional media:
Streaming videos
Chat rooms for interactive discussions outside the classroom
Electronic bulletin boards for posting information to students
Internet-based applications for tutoring and homework
Flipped classrooms
What potential barriers could your choice of digital media interaction present for some students with disabilities?
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19. Goucher College 2018 - Drummond Woodsum
The “Kindle” Standard
Students with disabilities must be afforded “the opportunity to acquire the same information, engage in the same interactions, and enjoy the same services” as nondisabled students, with “substantially equivalent ease of use”
Sample from Case Western College settlement agreement with Department of Justice, available at:
The government’s position now is that this standard applies to all “emerging technologies”
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20. Goucher College 2018 - Drummond Woodsum
Faculty Guidance
Remember – Accessibility Services is a resource for you:
If you question the appropriateness of an accommodation
If you do not understand what the accommodation means (e.g., “preferential seating”)
If you are unsure how to accommodate
If you need assistance with an accommodation
If you are working with a student with a type of disability new to your instructional design, e.g., a student who is blind
Goucher College Drummond Woodsum

21. Goucher College 2018 - Drummond Woodsum