Students with Disabilities FAQs for QVCC Faculty
Fall 2007

Who at QVCC works with students with disabilities?
What should I do if a student comes to me and says she needs additional time for tests because of a disability?
What should I do if a student brings me documentation of a disability?
What should I do if a student complains that it is unfair that a classmate is getting additional time for tests or some other accommodation?
What should I do if a student asks me to alter my curriculum because of a learning disability?
Should I discuss a student's accommodations with the student?
Who determines if a student has a qualifying disability that requires reasonable accommodations?
What about my syllabus?
At what point am I required to provide a particular accommodation?
What do I do once I have received a student's accommodations memo?
How do I provide the "extended time for tests" accommodation?

 

Who at QVCC works with students with disabilities? Jim Grimord (412-7215) generally works with students who have physical, visual, hearing, medical, mobility, and psychiatric disabilities. Chris Scarborough (412-7286) generally works with students who have learning disabilities, ADD, and psychiatric disabilities. (Chris meets with students at the Willimantic Center every other week.)

back to top

What should I do if a student comes to me and says she needs additional time for tests because of a disability? Refer the student to Chris or Jim (without granting or denying the request). One of us will meet with the student and help her get documentation, if possible. Accommodations that are not authorized in writing from Jim or Chris should not be granted.

back to top

What should I do if a student brings me documentation of a disability? Rather than accept it, ask the student to bring or send the documentation to Chris or Jim.

back to top

What should I do if a student complains that it is unfair that a classmate is getting additional time for tests or some other accommodation? One response would be to inform the complaining student that the situation in question was authorized by the college due to special circumstances. If the complaining student expresses a similar need, feel free to refer him to Jim or Chris.

back to top

What should I do if a student asks me to alter my curriculum because of a learning disability? Instructors should not alter a course or program as an accommodation. In general, accommodations affect the way we deliver and receive content, but not the nature or amount of content.

back to top

Should I discuss a student's accommodations with the student? Yes, if you wish, provided it is done at a time and place that ensures the student's confidentiality to the greatest extent possible. The student's confidentiality is protected by federal law and all reasonable precautions should be taken. Students are not required to divulge the details of a disability and questions about details should be avoided. It would also be inappropriate to express a personal opinion about the student's accommodations or disability. (Questions can always be addressed to Jim or Chris.) Confidential topics should never be discussed or mentioned in front of other students. If a situation should arise where you need to immediately address an accommodation question, such as during an exam, try to do so in as private a manner as possible.

back to top

Who determines if a student has a qualifying disability that requires reasonable accommodations? The student must initiate the accommodation process by contacting and meeting with one of the college's disability service providers, signing a self-disclosure form, and providing documentation. The documentation must be from a licensed clinical professional. The disability service provider evaluates and reviews the documentation and determines if reasonable accommodations should be provided. Instructors are welcome to provide input and suggestions about accommodations if they wish, but the accommodations are determined by the disability service provider. It would be inappropriate for an instructor to substitute or change accommodations without prior consultation with Jim or Chris and the student.

back to top

What about my syllabus? All syllabi should include a brief "disabilities statement." Here is an example:

If you have a question regarding a disability that may affect your progress in this course, please contact Jim Grimord or Chris Scarborough as soon as possible, at (860) 412-7200.

back to top

At what point am I required to provide a particular accommodation? You are not required to provide accommodations if the student has not given you a memo from one of the college's disability service providers. In fact, it can be problematic to start the accommodations process with a student before the student has brought you an accommodations memo, except in cases where a student's need is obvious, such as a blind student.

Occasionally a student will give you an accommodation in mid- or late semester because the student's documentation was received late in the semester. If it arrives within a few days of an exam, you are only obliged to reasonably "do the best you can" in providing the student's accommodations for that exam.

Also, it is appropriate for a student to opt to not use all of the accommodations listed on the memo. In situations where your time is involved, the student should be in communication with you regarding the use of the accommodation, or not.

back to top

What do I do once I have received a student's accommodations memo? Provide the accommodations listed on the memo, but no others. Refrain from commenting on the accommodations or questioning the student about the legitimacy of the student's need. Also refrain from expressing any personal opinions about particular disabilities or the ADA .

The provision of accommodations is a collaborative effort between you, the student, and the disability service provider. As indicated on the accommodations memo, feel free to contact the disability service provider with any suggestions.

back to top

How do I provide the "extended time for tests" accommodation? The "extended time" accommodation is usually up to double the amount of time that is granted to the class- such as allowing the two hours for a one-hour exam. You and the student should agree on a convenient time and location- the testing should take place at a time and location that is reasonably convenient for both of you. At Danielson, some instructors utilize the Learning Center (412-7285) and at Willimantic, please contact John Lepore (423-4491).

back to top