Managing Coursework for Students with Disabilities
There are times when a student may need support completing required academic assignments. They often do not seek help because they are unsure where to turn or whom to speak to about their issues. Students who need additional support to meet the academic standards of their university successfully can get assistance from the office for students with disabilities. This service ensures that all course materials are accessible to all students, regardless of specialized learning needs. Qualified students can receive many helpful resources to help them confidently complete their program requirements. Also, the tips and tricks they teach you may help your career.
By Dr. Gwendolyn Maria Parrish — August 9, 2022
What Are Disability Services?
There are times when a student may need support completing required academic assignments. They often do not seek help because they are unsure where to turn or whom to speak to about their issues. Students who need additional support to meet the academic standards of their university successfully can get assistance from the office for students with disabilities. This service ensures that all course materials are accessible to all students, regardless of specialized learning needs. Qualified students can receive many helpful resources to help them confidently complete their program requirements. Also, the tips and tricks they teach you may help your career.
What is Considered a Disability?
A disability is a physical or mental impairment significantly affecting one’s ability to complete specific tasks or activities. Disabilities include but are not limited to the following: dyslexia, hearing impairments, visual impairments, muscular dystrophy, autism, and cerebral palsy. The disability office can address any disability requiring a modified curriculum version. Please know that your meetings with this office are protected under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) laws and will be confidential. The information and resources provided will only be shared with the qualifying student.
Requesting Accommodations
You can request accommodations anytime by calling or emailing your school’s disability office to discuss your specific disability. You may also fill out the request online. If you have current documentation of accommodations provided for you, it is important to subm it that when you request an accommodation review by the disability office. Your most recent accommodation letter will help them determine the best methods for assisting you.
Types of Accommodations
There are many types of accommodations depending on the type of task you are completing. For example, when completing required course assignments, you may need a letter of accommodation providing extended time to meet them proficiently. This may include an additional week but may differ for the course's final week, so you must read and understand the conditions of the accommodation letter and other accommodations for internships, residencies, practicums, or comprehensive final exams. You'll get a letter at the start of each semester if needed. Another type of accommodation is assistive technology which includes one or more of the following: a screen reader, text-to-speech, text magnifier, or other assistive devices that will enhance the learning experience by making the content more accessible. Assistive technology resources are provided and found in your school's disability office resources. Remember that you can contact the office, and they will gladly answer any questions you may have.
Utilizing Your Accommodations
Once you have met with the disability office and receive a letter of accommodation, it is your responsibility to give the letter to each of your course instructors before the course start date, or at least during the first week. Providing your accommodations letter upfront will allow instructors to read and understand your academic needs. If you have provided your letter of accommodations to your course instructor and believe they have failed to meet the requirements, you can speak with the disability office to get tips on meeting your needs. Typically, instructors follow the conditions stipulated in the letter. The office usually sends a reminder to distribute your letter via email at the start of each new semester. Please understand that if you do not provide your letter of accommodations, your instructors are not obligated to comply since they are not made aware of your academic needs.
Your Rights and Responsibilities
Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (1990), you have the right to instructional accommodations that do not discriminate against your disability. You have the right to all courses, activities, services, or facilities your university offers. You also have the right to an equal opportunity to learn and choose what parties may have access to your personal information regarding your disability. Your responsibilities as a student with a special need include: meeting the course requirements as stated by your university, identifying yourself as a student in need of accommodations early in the course, providing your letter of accommodations to your instructors, and contacting the disability office as needed to discuss having your accommodations letter updated. If you believe that you no longer need the provided accommodations, you must notify the office of students with disabilities so that they can update your status. If you change your accommodation status to indicate you would no longer like to utilize disability services, you will no longer receive a letter of accommodation each semester.
Additional Resources for Students With Disabilities
Below is a list of available resources outside of those provided by your university. If there are accommodations you need not found here, don't hesitate to get in touch with your school's disability office or your academic advisor for further guidance.
American Foundation for the Blind: https://www.afb.org
Children and Adults with ADD: https://www.chadd.org/
The National Alliance on Mental Illness: https://www.nami.org/
The Learning Disability Association of America: https://www.ldaamerica.org/
Dr. Gwendolyn Maria Parrish
Dr. Gwendolyn M. Parrish is a graduate of MSU, where she received a BA in Elementary Education and an MS in Educational Leadership. Maria has more than ten years of experience in the classroom and two years as a high school vice-principal. She is a graduate of Capella University, where she completed a Ph.D. program in Curriculum and Instruction and Administration. Maria has also been a writing consultant for Capella for the past three years and enjoy working with learners of all ages.
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