When students with disabilities are admitted to the University, they have met the same rigorous standards for admission as all other students, i.e., their high school grade point averages and college entrance exams scores are high. Faculty can support the continued success of students with disabilities by implementing certain practices described below. Additional suggestions are located in the Faculty Handbook provided by the Office of Services for Students with Disabilities at <http://www.umich.edu/~sswd/faculty.handbook.html>.
Critical Ways Faculty Can Support All Students with Disabilities
Please include a statement in writing on all syllabus materials consistent with the language adopted by SACUA. We recommend the following statement:
"If you think you need an accommodation for a disability, please let me know at your earliest convenience. Some aspects of this course, the assignments, the in-class activities, and the way I teach may be modified to facilitate your participation and progress. As soon as you make me aware of your needs, we can work with the Office of Services for Students with Disabilities to help us determine appropriate accommodations. I will treat any information you provide as private and confidential."
In addition to the statement on syllabus materials, also make the following in-class statement:
"Any student who believes that he/she has a disability and may need an accommodation for this course, please make an appointment to see me during my office hours."
This approach indicates the willingness of the faculty member to provide assistance and also preserves students’ privacy.
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, which the student gives to the faculty member, is to be used specifically for arranging reasonable accommodations for the course of study.
A detailed course syllabus, which can be made available before registration, is useful to many students with disabilities.
Clearly spell out expectations at the beginning of the course (e.g., grading, material to be covered, assignment due dates).
It takes an average of six weeks to get a book tape-recorded, so announce reading assignments well in advance for students who are using taped materials or other alternative formats.
All students, including students with disabilities, will benefit if you start each lecture with an outline of material to be covered during that class period. Briefly summarizing key points at the conclusion of class aids students in clarifying their notes and delineating supporting information from the main ideas you wish them to remember.
Present new or technical vocabulary on the blackboard, an overhead, or in a hand out. Providing examples may also convey greater meaning.
Allow students with disabilities, who require alternate testing formats, to demonstrate mastery of course material by using methods appropriate to the student and the subject matter (e.g., extended time limits for testing, taped exams, individually proctored exams in a separate room). Students needing accommodations should provide you with a form from the Office of Services for Students with Disabilities.
Making a Referral to Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD)
Faculty members sometimes contact SSD regarding students they feel might need to avail themselves of the services offered. If you see a student who is struggling and wish to refer that student to SSD 763-3000 or to Counseling and Psychological Services 764-8312, remember that they may respond best to private conversations in which you use an inquiring and supportive approach and share information about the existence and location of the SSD office. Only the student can decide to disclose his or her disability, or to pursue information about services available in the SSD office. If a student is requesting accommodations but has not presented you with a VISA form from SSD, you may ask the student to contact SSD.
University Resources:
Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD): 763-3000
Office of the Ombuds: 763-3545
Office of Institutional Equity: 763-0235
To consult about and /or report problems with reasonable accommodations, disability discrimination, and/or harassment to the University Americans with Disabilities Act Coordinator.
Counseling and Psychological Services: 764-8312
Ann Arbor Campus Disability Listings: Information for Students
http://www.umich.edu/Disability/disability_aa_student.php
Students With Disabilities Handbook
http://www.umich.edu/~sswd/students.1.html
