Faculty and Staff Resources
Why do I have to provide academic accommodations? What if I cannot implement a requested accommodation? What if a student with a disability is disruptive in class? What do I do if a student approaches me in class requesting accommodations, and I have not received notification of his/her disability from the Noel Program? As a faculty member, can I know a student's disability? I have a student who has been out ill for the past week and wants to have extra time to turn in her assignment(s) and make up a quiz. Am I required to provide the extra time? What do I do if a student requests tutoring services? What do I do if a student requests assistance with writing?
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Federal law requires reasonable accommodations. Since the passage of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), individuals with disabilities are attending colleges and universities in increasing numbers. The Rehabilitation Act states that .No otherwise qualified handicapped individual...shall, solely by means of handicap be excluded from the participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving federal financial assistance.. With the passage of the ADA, this mandate was expanded to any public or private institution. Subpart E of the Rehabilitation Act requires an institution to be prepared to make reasonable academic accommodations to allow students with disabilities full access to the same programs and activities available to students without disabilities.
If you have a question, or think you will have difficulty providing any accommodation requested, the first step is to contact the student.s disability specialist. The disability specialist will clarify any information, as well as assist you with obtaining the resources needed to provide the accommodation(s). In many cases, clarification will involve working with the student and the disability specialist to adjust the recommendations for your particular academic situation.
Treat a student with a disability as you would any student who is interrupting class. A student with a disability is not exempt from the code of conduct that has been established by the University.
The student is responsible for providing documentation of a disability in order to receive full accommodations. Therefore, the first question to ask the student is if he/she has met with a disability specialist from the Noel Program for Students with Disabilities. If a student has not arranged such a meeting, suggest that he/she does so.
Why is extended time on tests recommended so often?
Students attending the University may have a variety of disabilities. Extended test time is the most common accommodation for students with disabilities because many disabilities affect processing time. For example, a student with a learning disability cannot process information in the same manner as a typical student. Therefore, additional time is needed to rephrase the questions in a way the student can understand and answer. A student with a disability affecting motor control of extremities may need additional time to write the answers. Examinations need to allow students with disabilities the opportunity to demonstrate their abilities, not the limitations of their disabilities.
The Noel Program cannot release information unless the individual with the disability signs a release of confidentiality.
Since our shared primary goal for students is learning, you may wish to work with the Noel Program to determine an appropriate plan to address the student's individual needs. The Noel Program serves the student once appropriate medical documentation has been received, and the student requests help. Temporary disabilities are not covered under Section 504 or the Americans with Disabilities Act; however, the staff of the Noel Program and professors will work with students with temporary disabilities to assist them in locating and utilizing all campus resources.
Tutoring services are available to all Gardner-Webb University students. Please contact the Learning Assistance Program (LAP) at (704) 406-4394.
Assistance with grammar, citing sources, and writing form are available to all Gardner-Webb University students. Please contact the Writing Center at (704) 406-4393.