Sonoma State University - Disability Services for Students

Sonoma State University is the proud home of Ensuring Access through Collaboration and Technology (EnACT), which is a US Department of Education-funded program that "provides faculty within the CSU system the skills, support, and training necessary to ensure that students with disabilities are provided a high quality postsecondary education."

For more information: EnACT Home Page

GO TO TOP

Faculty & Staff FAQs

1. What are academic accommodations and how do I know they are reasonable?

Academic accommodations and support services are determined on an individual basis. Each accommodation is based on functional limitations as identified in each student's documentation and is designed to meet a student's needs without fundamentally altering the nature of the university's instructional program(s). Accommodations and support services are provided upon the recommendation of a DSS staff member. Students who are authorized for accommodations will present to their instructors an authorization form, which outlines the appropriate and recommended accommodation for each class. Students who request accommodations from an instructor without an authorization form should be directed to the DSS Office for consultation. Under most circumstances, students should not be given accommodations without an authorization.

For additional information about appropriate academic accommodations, please contact a Disability Management Advisor.

2. What do I do about a request for note-takers?

Students may request assistance from instructors in locating a suitable note-taker in a class. Instructors are asked to make an announcement to the class that there is a need for a note-taker and to see the instructor at the end of the class period if anyone is interested in providing this assistance. It is crucial that instructors respect the privacy of the student making the request.

Due to the sensitive nature of an individual's disability status, all information disclosed to an instructor by a student with a disability MUST REMAIN CONFIDENTIAL. Instructors are asked to discuss issues with a student who has a disability in a discreet manner to avoid inadvertent disclosure to others in the classroom.

3. Is my material safe if I allow a student to tape my lectures?

Depending upon the nature and severity of a particular student's disability, an instructor may be asked to allow him or her to tape lectures. It is the policy of DSS that students requiring this accommodation keep the lecture tapes secure and confidential and to use them only for the purposes of reviewing the presented materials. If an instructor has questions or concerns regarding this policy, he or she may contact DSS staff.

4. What about interpreters for students who are deaf?

Students who are deaf may work closely with an American Sign Language (ASL) Interpreter. ASL Interpreters may be used to facilitate communication in the classroom, laboratories, field trips and other class-related activities. Instructors are requested to address any communication in a class (i.e., questions, responses to comments, etc.) to the student using an interpreter directly to the student, and not to the interpreter. Students who use interpreters are asked to wait for 15 minutes if their interpreters are late. Likewise, and interpreter is asked to wait for 15 minutes if the student is late.

5. What is assistive technology and who uses it?

The Assistive Technology (AsTech) Lab, located within the 24-Hour Lab in Schulz, houses computer equipment that is available for the use of students with various disabilities. Available equipment includes speech recognition software, magnification programs, text-to-speech software, and other assistive technology. Students must obtain an authorization from DSS to use these services. For more information about assistive technology, please visit the Assistive Technology Center webpage.

6. How do I respond to requests for extended time and separate rooms?

Students whose academic accommodations include extended test-taking time and/or a quiet, distraction-free environment must work with their instructors to arrange a space in which to take their exams. If the instructor is unable to provide a suitable space for the student, the DSS office has one testing room available on a first come-first served basis. Students who wish to reserve this room must contact DSS with the date and time of the exam, giving at least 48-hours notice. Additionally, there are a limited number of rooms in the Schultz Information Center, which can be reserved for this purpose. This requires one week advance notice.

Instructors are asked to be specific regarding their examination policies (i.e., open/closed book, notes, calculators, etc.) as well as addressing the amount of time originally allocated for the exam and how they prefer the tests to be returned to them for grading. Instructors may want to pick up the completed exams from the DSS, or they may request that a DSS staff member walk it back to the instructor's department.

Please be aware that DSS does not proctor exams. Personal items such as backpacks are checked in at the front office before entering the private testing room.

7. How does a student qualify for "Exception to the time limitations prescribed by minimum progress requirements"?

Under certain circumstances and dependent upon the nature of an individual's disability, it may be possible to make exceptions to the University's minimum progress requirements. A student must make an appointment with a DSS Advisor to discuss his or her situation on an individual basis. The student will then work closely with the instructor regarding academic expectations.

8. What is "Disability Management Advising"?

All students who are registered with the DSS are eligible to meet with a Disability Management Advisor to discuss disability issues that may interfere with their academic performance. Appointments may be scheduled by calling DSS at (707) 664-2677. Students may wish to discuss their housing, financial, academic advising, personal issues, time management, academic support needs, and/or perhaps their difficulties navigating the campus academic environment.

9. How does a student get Priority Registration?

Students registered with the DSS are generally given Priority Registration time slots, which allow them the opportunity to register for their classes at the earliest registration period. In this way, they are able to manage their disability and be proactive in assuring a workable schedule.

10. How can I learn more about the needs of my students?

Open communication between you and your student facilitates a better understanding of the individual needs. Please contact your student's Disability Management Advisor for more information. Additional teaching strategies and resources may be found in Teaching Strategies and Faculty Resource section.

11. What do I do if a student has requested that my exams be converted into alternate media?

To convert an exam into alternate media for a student with a print-related disability, faculty may e-mail or deliver the exam to the Disability Services for Students office, Attn: Assistive Technology Specialist, a minimum of 72 working hours before the scheduled exam. The DSS office is located in Salazar 1049, office hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00am to 4:00pm, and the phone number is (707) 664-2677. For more information about alternate media, please visit the Alternate Media Center.

12. Why would you make a referral to faculty, staff, campus resources, community agencies?

Depending on the situation or the severity of disability, a student may be referred outside the DSS office for assistance. Typically, this occurs when the needs of the student cannot be met within the scope of the services available in the department. Students may be referred to other offices or staff on campus for specialized services (i.e., personal counseling, academic advising particular to certain majors, the financial aid office, off-campus medical professionals, testing and assessments, Learning Skills Services for study skills and academic support, etc.).

Other questions, comments, concerns, and/or compliments?

These FAQs are intended to offer a little guidance regarding some concerns that may face instructors as they interact with students with disabilities. Feel free to contact the DSS office at any time to discuss issues that may not be addressed in these pages. Together we are presenting a warm and embracing academic environment for all of our diverse students.

Please contact Disability Services for Students at (707) 664-2677 or stop by our office, Salazar 1049.

GO TO TOP

Syllabus Announcement

It is suggested that instructors include a statement about how to obtain academic accommodations directly on their syllabi.

For example: "If you are a student with a disability and you think you may require accommodations, please register with the campus office of Disability Services for Students (DSS), located in Salazar Hall - Room 1049, Phone: (707) 664-2677, TTY/TDD: (707) 664-2958. DSS will provide you with written confirmation of your verified disability and authorize recommended accommodations. This authorization must be presented to the instructor before any accommodations can be made."

GO TO TOP

Emergency Evacuation - Additional Syllabus Announcement

It is also suggested that instructors include a statement on their syllabi pertaining to emergency evacuation for students with disabilities.

For example: "If you are a student with a disability and you think you may require assistance evacuating a building in the event of a disaster, you should inform your instructor about the type of assistance you may require. You and your instructor should discuss your specific needs and the type of precautions that should be made in advance of such an event (i.e. assigning a buddy to guide you down the stairway). We encourage you to take advantage of these preventative measures as soon as possible and contact the Disability Services for Students office if other classroom accommodations are needed."

Additional Emergency Evacuation Information

GO TO TOP

Suggections for Teaching Students With Disabilities

Disability-Specific Teaching Suggestions:

General Teaching Suggestions:

Provide students with a detailed syllabus. Include the disability statement on the course syllabus. (Syllabus Statement Example)
Clearly spell out expectations before the course begins.
Start each lecture with an outline of material to be covered that period. At the conclusion of the class, briefly summarize key points.
Speak directly to students, and use gestures and natural expressions to convey further meaning.
Present new or technical vocabulary on the blackboard or use a student handout. Terms should be used in context to convey greater meaning.
Give assignments both orally and in written form to avoid confusion.
Announce reading assignments well in advance for students who are using taped materials. It takes an average of four weeks to bet a book tape-recorded.
If possible, select a textbook with an accompanying study guide for optional student use.
Provide adequate opportunities for questions and answers, including review sessions.
Allow students to record lectures to facilitate their note taking. In some instances, this will be an essential accommodation.
Provide, in advance, study questions for exams that illustrate the format, as well as the content of the test. Explain what constitutes a good answer and why.
If necessary, allow students with learning disabilities to demonstrate mastery of course material using alternative methods (e.g. extended time limits for testing, oral exams in a separate room).
Permit use of simple calculations, scratch paper, pocket spellers and dictionaries during exams (no programmable calculators!).