{"id":960,"date":"2024-12-10T15:22:44","date_gmt":"2024-12-10T15:22:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/office-accessibility-services\/?page_id=960"},"modified":"2026-04-13T20:10:44","modified_gmt":"2026-04-13T20:10:44","slug":"faculty-resources","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/office-accessibility-services\/faculty-resources\/","title":{"rendered":"Faculty Resources"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"pl-960\"  class=\"panel-layout\" ><div id=\"pg-960-0\"  class=\"panel-grid panel-no-style\" ><div id=\"pgc-960-0-0\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell\" ><div id=\"panel-960-0-0-0\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_text panel-first-child panel-last-child\" data-index=\"0\" >\t\t\t<div class=\"textwidget\"><p>The <strong>Office of Accessibility Services (OAS)<\/strong> provides and facilitates reasonable accommodations for students with qualifying disabilities or disabling health conditions. To be eligible for accommodations, a student must have a disability that substantially limits at least one major life activity. Accommodations may intersect with the academic, dining, and residential dimensions of the College.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div><\/div><div id=\"pgc-960-0-1\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell\" ><div id=\"panel-960-0-1-0\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_smcm-button panel-first-child panel-last-child\" data-index=\"1\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-smcm-button so-widget-smcm-button-base\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t><div class=\"smcm-cta-container\"><a class=\"smcm-cta-button red\" style=\"max-width: 100%; width: 100%;\" href=\"https:\/\/scribehow.com\/viewer\/How_to_Upload_an_Exam_in_Accommodate__MNKFc815TgKOK2NaplTlCg\">How to upload an exam in Accommodate<i class=\"fa-solid fa-arrow-up-right-from-square\" style=\"color: #e9e9e9;\"><\/i><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div id=\"pg-960-1\"  class=\"panel-grid panel-no-style\" ><div id=\"pgc-960-1-0\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell\" ><div id=\"panel-960-1-0-0\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_smcm-title panel-first-child\" data-index=\"2\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-smcm-title so-widget-smcm-title-base\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t><h2 class=\"smcm-section-title navy\" style=\"\"><strong>Frequently<\/strong> Asked Questions<\/h2><\/div><\/div><div id=\"panel-960-1-0-1\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_smcm-accordion\" data-index=\"3\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-smcm-accordion so-widget-smcm-accordion-base\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t><div class=\"smcm-accordion  navy\"><div class=\"title-container\"><h3>What is an accommodation?<\/h3><i class=\"fa-solid fa-plus open-close\" ><\/i><\/div><div class=\"smcm-accordion-content\"> <div class=\"smcm-ac-content-wrapper\"><p>An accommodation is support that lowers or removes a barrier caused by a disability or disabling health condition. An accommodation is a means to provide\u00a0<strong>equal access<\/strong>\u00a0to an individual who is experiencing a substantial limitation in one or more major life activities. For example, a student who experiences processing delays in reading and writing may need more time on time-constrained assignments, like an in-class exam.Accommodations are a means to provide access, but do not guarantee success. It\u2019s up to the student to use their skills and strategies to be successful.<br \/>\nThe most common accommodations granted on our campus are:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Permission to audio-record lectures<\/li>\n<li>Extended time to complete tests, quizzes, etc.<\/li>\n<li>Use of a computer text-to-speech software<\/li>\n<li>Provision of copies of outlines<\/li>\n<li>Testing in an alternate, quiet space<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div id=\"panel-960-1-0-2\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_smcm-accordion\" data-index=\"4\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-smcm-accordion so-widget-smcm-accordion-base\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t><div class=\"smcm-accordion  navy\"><div class=\"title-container\"><h3>How does OAS determine which accommodations may be appropriate?<\/h3><i class=\"fa-solid fa-plus open-close\" ><\/i><\/div><div class=\"smcm-accordion-content\"> <div class=\"smcm-ac-content-wrapper\"><p>OAS engages in an interactive process with students to determine appropriate accommodations. This process usually includes a review of documentation, interviews with the student, and consultation with faculty colleagues and\/or knowledgeable providers. This process helps us recognize the student\u2019s needs and potential points of access. For more information about our process, check out the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/office-accessibility-services\/procedures-for-requesting\/\">procedures to request accommodations<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div id=\"panel-960-1-0-3\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_smcm-accordion\" data-index=\"5\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-smcm-accordion so-widget-smcm-accordion-base\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t><div class=\"smcm-accordion  navy\"><div class=\"title-container\"><h3>How will I know if any of my students receive accommodations?<\/h3><i class=\"fa-solid fa-plus open-close\" ><\/i><\/div><div class=\"smcm-accordion-content\"> <div class=\"smcm-ac-content-wrapper\"><p>As a general practice, we do not automatically notify instructors of students in their courses with accommodations. We encourage students to self-disclose their accommodations to faculty by sharing their \u201caccommodation letter\u201d from OAS with you, but we will share the letter at a student\u2019s request. We encourage students to have a conversation with you about how accommodations are to be managed in your course, but they are not required to do so. A student\u2019s accommodations in a course are active from the date you receive their official letter. <strong>Accommodations are not retroactive<\/strong> to the start of the semester.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div id=\"panel-960-1-0-4\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_smcm-accordion\" data-index=\"6\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-smcm-accordion so-widget-smcm-accordion-base\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t><div class=\"smcm-accordion  navy\"><div class=\"title-container\"><h3>When can students request accommodations? Can accommodations be added or changed after the initial letter is produced?<\/h3><i class=\"fa-solid fa-plus open-close\" ><\/i><\/div><div class=\"smcm-accordion-content\"> <div class=\"smcm-ac-content-wrapper\"><p>A student may start the accommodation process at any point in the semester. The process can take up to four weeks. If a student experiences a new or exacerbated barrier that requires a new accommodation, then they may return to OAS to continue the interactive process. If new accommodations are approved, OAS will create a new letter.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div id=\"panel-960-1-0-5\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_smcm-accordion\" data-index=\"7\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-smcm-accordion so-widget-smcm-accordion-base\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t><div class=\"smcm-accordion  navy\"><div class=\"title-container\"><h3>What if I have concerns about a student\u2019s accommodation to audio-record my class?<\/h3><i class=\"fa-solid fa-plus open-close\" ><\/i><\/div><div class=\"smcm-accordion-content\"> <div class=\"smcm-ac-content-wrapper\">If a student has this accommodation, they must work with you to complete an\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/140\/2025\/12\/Audio-Recording-with-Assisted-Note-Taking-Agreement_2025.pdf\">Audio Recording Agreement (PDF)<\/a>\u00a0before they are allowed to record class. Speak with your student about the parts of class that are appropriate to record \u2014 perhaps a lecture, but not a class discussion. Material discussed during the unrecorded part of class may not be tested for grading. If something is said during an unrecorded part of class that may appear on a test or assignment later, the instructor could reiterate or summarize that point after the discussion ends, when recording resumes. This requires communication and\/or signaling between student and professor about when recording should occur.\n\nFor more information about audio recording in class, please see our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/140\/2026\/02\/Audio-Recording-with-Assisted-Notetaking-FAQs.pdf\">Audio Recording Frequently Asked Questions (PDF)<\/a>.<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div id=\"panel-960-1-0-6\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_smcm-accordion\" data-index=\"8\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-smcm-accordion so-widget-smcm-accordion-base\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t><div class=\"smcm-accordion  navy\"><div class=\"title-container\"><h3>When are accommodations not appropriate?<\/h3><i class=\"fa-solid fa-plus open-close\" ><\/i><\/div><div class=\"smcm-accordion-content\"> <div class=\"smcm-ac-content-wrapper\"><p>The law provides several exemption areas when accommodations are not appropriate, if the accommodation:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Poses a <strong>direct threat<\/strong> to others\u2019 health or safety<\/li>\n<li>Creates an <strong>undue burden<\/strong> on the College<\/li>\n<li>Creates a <strong>fundamental alteration<\/strong> of College policies, practices, procedures, or academic requirements (see the next question for more information)<\/li>\n<li>Requires the provision of\u00a0<strong>personal services and devices<\/strong>\u00a0(such as personal aides, specialized tutors, or specialized personal equipment; a student may use these as needed, but the College does not provide them)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div id=\"panel-960-1-0-7\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_smcm-accordion\" data-index=\"9\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-smcm-accordion so-widget-smcm-accordion-base\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t><div class=\"smcm-accordion  navy\"><div class=\"title-container\"><h3>How do we determine if an accommodation presents a fundamental alteration of a course?<\/h3><i class=\"fa-solid fa-plus open-close\" ><\/i><\/div><div class=\"smcm-accordion-content\"> <div class=\"smcm-ac-content-wrapper\"><p>A fundamental alteration generally involves one of the following:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>A removal of an essential skill<\/li>\n<li>A lowering of an objective or standard<\/li>\n<li>A change in the essential goal or outcome of the course or assignment<\/li>\n<li>The modification of a requirement needed for a specific licensure or certification<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>These skills, objectives, standards, goals, outcomes, and requirements would generally be included in a course syllabus in order to be considered fundamental. A fundamental alteration would not be reflected in a tradition, absence of consideration, a failure to consider technology, or a pretext of discrimination.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div id=\"panel-960-1-0-8\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_smcm-accordion\" data-index=\"10\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-smcm-accordion so-widget-smcm-accordion-base\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t><div class=\"smcm-accordion  navy\"><div class=\"title-container\"><h3>Is there a process I need to follow if I believe an accommodation is a fundamental alteration in my course, or if I have concerns about an accommodation?<\/h3><i class=\"fa-solid fa-plus open-close\" ><\/i><\/div><div class=\"smcm-accordion-content\"> <div class=\"smcm-ac-content-wrapper\"><p>Yes. Please contact OAS to discuss the situation. We are developing a new\u00a0<strong>grievance process<\/strong>\u00a0for students and instructors, so that we can consistently and fairly address concerns about the assignment and implementation of accommodations. Please note that an accommodation is not automatically omitted if you believe that it fundamentally alters your course; we must go through the grievance process first.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div id=\"panel-960-1-0-9\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_smcm-accordion panel-last-child\" data-index=\"11\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-smcm-accordion so-widget-smcm-accordion-base\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t><div class=\"smcm-accordion  navy\"><div class=\"title-container\"><h3>What if I am not familiar with an accommodation or I am unsure of how to implement it?<\/h3><i class=\"fa-solid fa-plus open-close\" ><\/i><\/div><div class=\"smcm-accordion-content\"> <div class=\"smcm-ac-content-wrapper\"><p>Please contact OAS to discuss the situation. We are here to help with any logistical questions or concerns you may have.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div id=\"pg-960-2\"  class=\"panel-grid panel-no-style\" ><div id=\"pgc-960-2-0\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell\" ><div id=\"panel-960-2-0-0\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_text panel-first-child panel-last-child\" data-index=\"12\" >\t\t\t<div class=\"textwidget\"><h3>Other Resources<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ada.gov\/\">Americans with Disabilities (ADA) Homepage<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ed.gov\/about\/ed-offices\/ocr\">U.S. Department of Education, Office of Civil Rights<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div><\/div><\/div><div id=\"pg-960-3\"  class=\"panel-grid panel-no-style\" ><div id=\"pgc-960-3-0\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell\" ><div id=\"panel-960-3-0-0\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_sow-button panel-first-child panel-last-child\" data-index=\"13\" ><div class=\"panel-widget-style panel-widget-style-for-960-3-0-0\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-sow-button so-widget-sow-button-flat-6dba8b85489b-960\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t><div class=\"ow-button-base ow-button-align-center\"\n>\n\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\t\t\thref=\"https:\/\/smcm-accommodate.symplicity.com\/students\/\"\n\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"sowb-button ow-icon-placement-left ow-button-hover\" \t>\n\t\t<span>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tRequest Accommodations\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div id=\"pgc-960-3-1\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell\" ><div id=\"panel-960-3-1-0\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_sow-button panel-first-child panel-last-child\" data-index=\"14\" ><div class=\"panel-widget-style panel-widget-style-for-960-3-1-0\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-sow-button so-widget-sow-button-flat-6dba8b85489b-960\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t><div class=\"ow-button-base ow-button-align-center\"\n>\n\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\t\t\thref=\"https:\/\/smcm-accommodate.symplicity.com\/students\/\"\n\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"sowb-button ow-icon-placement-left ow-button-hover\" \t>\n\t\t<span>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tLog in to Accommodate\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Office of Accessibility Services (OAS) provides and facilitates reasonable accommodations for students with qualifying disabilities or disabling health conditions. To be eligible for accommodations, a student must have a disability that substantially limits at least one major life activity. Accommodations may intersect with the academic, dining, and residential dimensions of the College.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":91,"featured_media":1116,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"full-width-content","footnotes":""},"class_list":{"0":"post-960","1":"page","2":"type-page","3":"status-publish","4":"has-post-thumbnail","6":"entry"},"acf":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/office-accessibility-services\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/960","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/office-accessibility-services\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/office-accessibility-services\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/office-accessibility-services\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/91"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/office-accessibility-services\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=960"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/office-accessibility-services\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/960\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1294,"href":"https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/office-accessibility-services\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/960\/revisions\/1294"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/office-accessibility-services\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1116"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/office-accessibility-services\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=960"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}