Questions and Answers for Faculty & Staff

1. What do I do when a student identifies himself/herself as having a disability?

Ask for the Semester Accommodation Letter from the Coordinator of Disability Services. This letter describes the accommodations that instructors are legally required to provide. During office hours or at another convenient time, discuss the letter and the accommodations with the student. Students must present a current semester accommodation letter from Disability Services to receive accommodations for that semester. If the student does not have a current semester accommodation letter, he/she should be referred to Disability Services to request services. The coordinator will determine the appropriate accommodations after reviewing documentation of the disability provided by the student.

2. Are "disability" and "handicap" the same thing?

A "disability" is a condition caused by accident, trauma, genetics, or disease that may limit a person's mobility, hearing, vision, speech, or mental function. A person may have more than one disability. A "handicap" is a physical or attitudinal constraint imposed upon a person; for example, stairs, narrow doorways, and curbs are handicaps imposed upon people with disabilities who use wheelchairs.

3. After I receive notice of students with disabilities in my class, what do I do?

 Never ask about students with disabilities in front of class. It is the student's responsibility to make arrangements to meet with you privately to address services. If after a few classes students have not spoken with you, you may wish to approach them privately about their services. However, this is not your responsibility. 

4. What if students come to me toward the end of the semester and tell me they have not done well due to a disability?

 If students have not identified themselves to the Coordinator of Disability Services and presented documentation that they are persons with disabilities, then they are not eligible for services. Eligible students may have chosen not to use services. Either way, an instructor does not have to make any retroactive accommodations for students. The instructor should direct students to the Coordinator of Disability Services in the DSU #3125. 

5. If students need note-takers, what do I do? 

 Students who qualify for note taking accommodations should present necessary documentation identifying their specific needs to the Disability Services Coordinator. After meeting with the coordinator, the student will deliver a letter of accommodation stating they qualify for note taking assistance. The student has been instructed to make an appointment to see you during office hours, NOT before or after class. The student should inform you if they would like note taking to be handled confidentially. The student has two options, they can ask a classmate to take notes or the student can request a volunteer to take notes. If the student would like a volunteer, please pass out the "Request for Volunteer Note Taker" form as soon as possible. Once it is completed, please return it to the Academic Advising Center (DSU 3125). The office staff will then contact the volunteer and make sure the notes are brought in on a regular basis for the student. It is the student's responsibility to stop by our office and pick up notes throughout the week. The student is advised that attendance is required and note taking assistance is not a substitute for class attendance. If a student is not attending class and absences are excessive, you have the option to ask the note taker to stop sharing notes (unless the absence is excused due to medical reasons). Please contact the Disability Services Coordinator if a student's absences become excessive. The student will have to meet with the Disability Services Coordinator to resume note taking. 

6. What do I do if I don't agree with an accommodation?

It is understandable that at times an instructor may question the validity of an accommodation. Please address your concerns to the Disability Services Coordinator. You may reach the coordinator by calling: 757-594-8763 or via email by clicking HERE. Due to issues of confidentiality, the coordinator may not be able to disclose all information about the student. The coordinator may arrange for a meeting of the student, instructor and coordinator to find an accommodation that gives the student access to course material and makes the instructor comfortable. 

7. Students tell me they need to take their exams in the Academic Advising Center. Who is responsible to get the exams to this location?

First, Disability Services recommends that accommodations be provided within the classroom when possible. Any available office or room can be used if students just need extended time, distraction-reduced environment, or enlarged exams. Please discuss accommodations with students to make sure that all needs are being met.

If such accommodations are not possible, instructors email or hand deliver the exams to the Academic Advising Center in the DSU #3125. It is the student's responsibility to address when and where they will take exams with their instructors well in advance of the first exam. It is also the student's responsibility to remind instructors before the exam that they require these accommodations. Students may remind instructors the class before the exam or through email. Students are required to make exam arrangements with the Academic Advising Center at least 1 week or 5-7 business days prior to the exam date. Please see testing procedures for more information. The Disability Services staff will return completed exams to the department secretary. To expedite the process of returning exams, exams may be held in our locked cabinet for the instructor to pick up in our office in DSU #3125. 

8. Who assures test integrity?

The Disability Services staff follows any instructors left on exams by the instructor. If you have specific guidelines or request, please include these comments when emailing or dropping off the exams. All students taking exams in the Academic Advising Center will sign and date CNU's honor code. If members of the Disability Services staff become aware that students are cheating, the instructor will be informed. 

9. Won't providing accommodations on exams give an unfair advantage to a student with a disability?

No. Accommodations don't make things easier, just possible. The purpose of academic accommodations is to put the person with a disability on a level playing field with other students who do not have a disability.

10. What do I do if students become disruptive in class?

Students who are disruptive are not necessarily students with a disability. However, the existence of a disability does not provide the right for the student to be disruptive. Treat a disruptive disable student as you would treat any disruptive student. If necessary, ask the student to leave the room. If the student does not comply, the instructor should call Counseling (594-7047) and/or Campus Police (594-7053). 

11. What should I do if students have a medical emergency (such as a seizure) in the classroom? 

 The instructor should call 911 and notify the disability services coordinator at 594-8763. 

12. How do I deal with students with hearing impairments who come with an interpreter?

 Offer students preferential seating - Students will need a space for the interpreter to sit facing them. When speaking to students, direct all comments to them, not the interpreter. Wait a second or two after using a visual aid before speaking about it. This gives the deaf student time to look at the visual and then back to the interpreter. Glance at the interpreter occasionally for signs of fatigue - you may need to slow down. When classmates ask questions, indicate who is speaking so deaf students can follow the conversation. 

13. A student with a disability is failing my class. What should I do?

 Students with disabilities have the same right to fail classes as any other student. Do what you would normally do with students without disabilities. Invite the student to your office to discuss reasons for the failing performance and what resources the student may use to improve. Encourage the student to see the Coordinator of Disability Services to discuss some additional strategies to improve his/her grades. CNU also has Instructor Referrals which is a great tool to use for students who are doing poorly in your class. This referral is sent to the student as well as the Academic Advising Center where an advisor will be in contact with the student to help them achieve their academic goals. The Disability Services Coordinator is also available to meet with you and/or the student if you notice a student is doing poorly. You may call: 757-594-8763 to schedule an appointment.