Faculty/Staff Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to frequently asked questions by professors in their work with students with disabilities.
- A student in my class told me they have a disability. What do I do?
- How does Accessibility Services determine reasonable accommodations?
- How will I be notified that a student should receive accommodations?
- Why was I notified at the end of the semester about a student and do I have to accommodate him/her for missed assignments?
- Is accommodating one student unfair to other students?
- What if a student with a disability is displaying disruptive or concerning behavior?
- I am providing the accommodations specified for the student but they are failing my course. What should I do?
- I work with a graduate assistant who requires accommodations to perform their job function. Who should they contact?
- Does Accessibility Services offer training for staff and instructors?
- What are the most common disabilities at Southwest Minnesota State University?
Answers
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Q:A student in my class told me they have a disability. What do I do?
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A:
Ask them if they have registered with Accessibility Services. If not, encourage the student to contact Accessibility Services to learn more about reasonable accommodations and student support services available on campus. We can support the student with obtaining documentation if needed.
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Q:How does Accessibility Services determine reasonable accommodations?
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A:
- Accommodations are determined by the Coordinator of Accessibility Services based on a student’s narrative and supported by documentation from a healthcare provider.
- Through an interactive process with the student, we identify functional limitations to learning and discuss accommodations that may assist in removing barriers.
- Accommodations are not intended to compromise course content requirements and may require input from instructors.
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Q:How will I be notified that a student should receive accommodations?
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A:
Most often you will receive notification from the Coordinator of Accessibility Services. This will include documentation of what accommodations the student requires and an invitation to ask questions or share concerns.
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Q:Why was I notified at the end of the semester about a student and do I have to accommodate him/her for missed assignments?
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A:
Students can disclose disability status and register with Accessibility Services at any point in the semester; however, accommodations can be more effectively implemented when they are requested early. As a practice, Accessibility Services does not require instructors to provide retroactive accommodations. There are some circumstances where this may be reasonable.
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Q:Is accommodating one student unfair to other students?
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A:
Students with disabilities have the right to equitable access to education, and accommodations are intended to mitigate barriers. The method for achieving access may differ for each student or each course.
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Q:What if a student with a disability is displaying disruptive or concerning behavior?
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A:
All students must abide by the Student Code of Conduct. Identify disruptive or concerning behavior and clearly state your behavior expectations to the student. Contact Accessibility Services to coordinate a meeting where the student and faculty voices can be heard, and a joint action plan is formed for creating a positive learning environment.
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Q:I am providing the accommodations specified for the student but they are failing my course. What should I do?
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A:
- Consider arranging a meeting to discuss the student’s performance as you would with any other student in a similar situation.
- Additionally, you may want to ask the student if they are using all of the accommodations. If they are not, talk about implementing them as this may provide better access.
- Consult with Accessibility Services to discuss concern, ideas and options.
- Suggest campus resources that might be helpful – Deeann Griebel Student Success Center or Counseling and Testing Center
- Accommodations are intended to provide equal access – not guarantee success.
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Q:I work with a graduate assistant who requires accommodations to perform their job function. Who should they contact?
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A:
Please refer the student to Accessibility Services. We coordinate accommodations for graduate assistants in both their academic and employment on campus.
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Q:Does Accessibility Services offer training for staff and instructors?
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A:
Yes, we welcome either individual consultations or department trainings. Please contact Accessibility Services at 507-537-6492 so we can discuss training needs.
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Q:What are the most common disabilities at Southwest Minnesota State University?
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A:
Accessibility Services accommodates over 100 students per year. The top three disabilities served on campus are psychiatric disabilities (such as depression or anxiety), ADHD and systemic health conditions. Please be mindful that most persons with disabilities have a hidden or invisible disability which may not have visible symptoms. Instructional strategies and characteristics of various disabilities can be found in the “Working with Students with Disabilities” page
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