Providing Disability Accommodations in the Classroom

The Disability Resource Center (DRC) partners with faculty to ensure students with disabilities have equal access to courses, programs, and academic activities. When a student is approved for accommodations, faculty are notified via an emailedFaculty Notification Letter that outlines the approved accommodations for the course.

Faculty play an essential role in implementing accommodations while maintaining academic integrity and the critical requirements of their courses. The DRC is available to consult with faculty at any point in this process.

Faculty Notification Letters: What to Know

Faculty Notification Letters:

  • Confirm that a student is registered with the DRC
  • Identify approved accommodations for the course
  • Do not disclose a student’s diagnosis or disability

Faculty are expected to:

  • Review each letter carefully
  • Communicate with the student regarding how accommodations will be implemented
  • Contact the DRC with questions or concerns

Accommodations are individualized and determined through an interactive process. They do not require modification or waiver of essential course components.

Attendance-Related Accommodations

Some students may be approved for flexibility with attendance due to disability-related circumstances. When you see “Absences Related to Disability” on a Faculty Notification Letter, faculty are asked to consider how attendance functions within the course design.

Guiding Questions for Faculty

  • What is the stated attendance policy for the course?
  • Is the policy applied consistently to all students?
  • Are exceptions made for non-disability reasons (e.g., athletics, religious observances)?
  • How central is in-class participation to achieving learning outcomes?
  • To what extent would missed class time compromise the learning experience?

If flexibility is determined to be reasonable, the DRC can assist in clarifying:

  • How and when the student should notify you of an absence
  • Expectations for making up missed work
  • A reasonable number of disability-related absences
  • When a late withdrawal or incomplete may be appropriate

Important reminders:

  • Attendance accommodations are not a blanket permission to miss class
  • Essential academic requirements should not be waived
  • Assignment deadline flexibility is considered separately and may or may not be reasonable
  • Students remain responsible for all coursework

Common Classroom Accommodations

Faculty Notification Letters may include classroom-based accommodations such as:

  • Seating or furniture adjustments
  • Access to lecture materials (slides, handouts, and recordings when approved)
  • Note-taking support
  • Breaks, movement, or flexibility with seating
  • Use of assistive technology
  • Communication access (interpreters, captioning, transcription)

Each accommodation should be implemented as outlined in the Faculty Notification Letter. If clarification is needed, faculty are encouraged to contact the DRC.

Lecture Materials and Course Content

Providing materials in advance, when possible, can reduce barriers and support student participation. This may include:

  • Posting slides or outlines before class
  • Sharing digital copies of handouts
  • Using accessible document formats

Guidance on creating accessible materials is available through the Universal Design & Accessibility hub of the website. The DRC and eLearning staff are available to assist.

Handout Accommodations

Some students are approved for accommodations related to course handouts. When a handout accommodation is listed on a Faculty Notification Letter, instructors are responsible for working with the student and the Disability Resource Center (DRC) to ensure access.

Instructor Responsibilities

When handout accommodations are approved, instructors may be asked to:

  • Clarify the accommodation with the student or DRC, if needed
  • Provide materials in the approved format at the same time other students receive them
  • Provide large-print materials in the font size specified on the Faculty Notification Letter
  • Share digital materials electronically when requested.
  • Provide descriptions for images, charts, or graphics when they present a barrier

If a handout exists only in print, instructors may enlarge it or provide a digital version, as appropriate.

Disability Resource Center Responsibilities

The DRC will:

  • Determine student eligibility for handout accommodations
  • Convert materials to alternate formats when requested (e.g., Braille, tactile graphics)
  • Serve as a resource for faculty and students with questions about access

Student Responsibilities

Students are responsible for:

  • Requesting handout accommodations during their meeting with the DRC
  • Requesting Faculty Notification Letters each semester
  • Communicating with instructors about approved handout accommodations

Faculty are encouraged to contact the DRC with any questions or concerns related to handout accommodations.

Communication Access

Some students receive communication-access accommodations, such as:

  • Sign language interpreters
  • Oral interpreters
  • Speech-to-text transcription

Faculty should:

  • Speak directly to the student, as with any student
  • Provide class materials to interpreters or transcribers as needed
  • Coordinate with the DRC if placement or logistics questions arise

Additional guidance is available on the Interpreting Services hub.

Recording and Participation Accommodations

Approved accommodations may include:

  • Permission to record lectures
  • Reduced or more predictable participation
  • Alternative participation methods

Recording accommodations are intended for personal academic use only. If confidentiality concerns arise from course content, faculty should consult the DRC to identify appropriate alternatives.

Testing Accommodations

Testing accommodations (e.g., extended time, reduced-distraction environments, assistive technology) are addressed on the Testing Accommodations page.

Faculty should refer to that page for:

  • Testing Services procedures
  • Department-administered exams
  • Online testing considerations

When to Contact the DRC

Faculty are encouraged to contact the Disability Resource Center when:

  • An accommodation raises questions about essential course requirements
  • Implementation logistics are unclear
  • Course design may create unintended barriers
  • A student’s needs change during the semester

Key Takeaway

Accommodations are a collaborative process. Faculty are not expected to navigate complex situations alone — the DRC is a partner in ensuring access while preserving academic standards.