Students with Disabilities and Your Classroom

What is the College’s obligation to students with disabilities?

By law, and by policy, the College is committed to provide equal access for all qualified individuals to its programs and educational opportunities. The need for physical access (elevators, ramps, etc.) is obvious to most of us, but access needs also include the curriculum itself and measures of evaluation. Academic adjustments may include special seating, testing accommodations, use of adaptive technology, or presentation of course materials in alternate formats. The College has designated the Coordinator of Access and Equity Services to identify appropriate accommodations and Marilyn Webb, Coordinator of Tutoring and Accommodation Services to coordinate the provision of these services. Khaki Wunderlich, Associate Dean, acts as the ADA/504 Compliance Officer

What is my obligation as an instructor?

You are an agent of the College and as such share the College’s obligations to provide access within your classroom and curriculum. Your course outline should include the following disability statements:

This material is available in alternative formats upon request.

It is the College's policy to provide, on an individual basis, reasonable accommodations to students with disabilities, which may affect their ability to fully participate in program or course activities or to meet course requirements. Students with disabilities are encouraged to contact the Coordinator of Access and Equity Service, at (607) 844-8211 ext. 4283 (access&equity@TC3.edu) to discuss their particular need for accommodations.

What should I do if a student identifies him/herself to me as a person with a disability?

Ask the student if he or she has been in contact with the Coordinator of Access ad Equity Services and/or the Baker Center for Learning. If not, refer the student. You should not personally collect and/or maintain any disability documentation, nor should you make a determination as to the existence of a disability or the reasonableness of a request without consultation. Unless you are willing to provide a requested modification to all students, you should not provide it to any student without having first received an accommodation memo from the Baker Center.

What is the procedure for receiving accommodations?

The student must provide to the Baker Center appropriate documentation from a qualified professional identifying the disability and the limitations relating to learning. An accommodation plan is then developed between the student and BCL staff. Appropriate classroom, testing and other accommodations are identified on a written Memorandum of Academic Accommodations, which the student delivers to each faculty member from whom he or she is requesting accommodations.

You are entitled to reasonable notice of any requested accommodation. We encourage you and the student to meet and discuss the particulars of the request.

What if the requested accommodation conflicts with my course structure and/or policies?

You may have to make an adjustment in your structure or policies, if not doing so will discriminate against the student because of the disability. However, while the need for accommodation in a particular case is not negotiable, there are often alternate ways to provide the accommodation. Accommodation must be sensitive to the fundamental structure and objectives of your course. If you believe that a requested accommodation will so alter your course, immediately consult with one of the Baker Center coordinators. What constitutes a reasonable request in one course, or even section of a course, may not be reasonable in another.

Feel free in all cases to discuss methods of accommodation with the student and with one of the Baker Center coordinators.

The College has hired you for your expertise in your field and in the classroom. We do not expect you to have expertise in the field of disability and postsecondary education. Let us help you create the best possible learning environment for both you and your students.