Classroom Accommodations Process

If you have a student with a disability . . .

• If a student discloses a disability but does not provide you with a memo from the Services for Students with Disabilities Office (SSD), please refer the student to the SSD office in Schwitzer 206 and explain that you cannot provide accommodations without notification from this office. If a student gives you disability documentation such as a psychological report or a doctor’s note, do not accept the documentation. Instead, let the student know SSD is the office designated to review such information and refer them to SSD.
• Once a student has established their eligibility for services with SSD, he/she will bring you a memo from SSD on official letterhead detailing the testing/classroom modifications which you are to provide.
  View a sample memo .
  • Reasonable accommodations are designed to offset the substantial limitations imposed by the disorder, not to alter essential elements of courses or programs. It is important not to question a student as to whether a documented disability exists. The SSD has an extensive documentation process that all students must adhere to in order to receive “disability status.” Please be assured that if you receive a memo from the SSD office, the student has been determined to be a qualified individual with a disability.
• The student will give each professor a copy of this memorandum for reference, and each professor will be asked to sign the student’s original copy.
• Provide disability modifications only after the student provides you with a memo from SSD.
• The student is to meet with individual instructors to discuss arrangements for their modifications. Most requests are for testing modifications. Be sure that the arrangements you make provide a testing situation that is comparable to the classroom setting. This means hallways, break rooms, busy offices, public areas of libraries, starting in one location and moving to another, etc. may not be appropriate options. These arrangements should be negotiated and determined well before the first quiz/exam.
• Review the Faculty Resource area on the SSD website and feel free to call the ADA Coordinator, Debbie Spinney, at (317) 788-2140, if you have questions. Each SSD student is asked to sign a release form giving me permission to speak specifically to their instructors.
• Other classroom considerations to keep in mind:
  • Auxiliary aids
    The SSD office coordinates such services as note takers, readers, sign language interpreters, etc. We may call upon you for assistance in finding a note taker.
  • Access to computer technology
    UIndy makes every attempt to ensure computer access. SSD has information regarding voice-activated computing, specialized keyboards, and much more. Please consult with SSD and Information Systems when planning classroom websites and other materials if there are access needs.
  • Showing films
    To ensure access to videos for students who are deaf or hearing-impaired, plan ahead and see if there is a captioned version available.
  • Field trips
    When planning a field trip and providing transportation for the class, please plan ahead if there are access needs.