The Office of AccessABILITY Services has been designated by the University to assist students with diagnosed and documented disabilities, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), with accessing and participating in the educational, social, and professional opportunities available at Stella and Charles Guttman Community College in accordance with federal laws and University obligations.

Stella and Charles Guttman Community College recognizes that a diverse campus community is essential to enriching intellectual exchanges and enhancing cultural understanding and, as such, values equality of opportunity, mutual respect, and an appreciation for diversity. Therefore, the University is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to our students with disabilities in support of all students’ educational goals, personal growth, and professional development.

Prior to receiving accommodations, a student obtains an accommodation card from the Office of Accessibility. It is important to discuss appropriate accommodations with students; however, asking questions about a student’s disability, such as the diagnosis, must be avoided. Students have the legal right not to disclose the diagnosis; they need only discuss how reasonable accommodations assist them in their academic environment.

Below please find some helpful materials that can guide you in assisting our neuro-diverse population.

• ADA Higher Education Information
• CUNY Reasonable Accommodations Guide
• Disability Etiquette

Teaching Strategies:

• The Faculty Room
• Online Universal Design Book
• Access Project
• Center for Teaching

Designing An Accessible Website:

• Introduction to Web Accessibility
• Web Accessibility Evaluation Tool

Faculty Roles:

• Make Reasonable Accommodations
• Provide Access to Classroom & Materials
• Maintain Confidentiality

While it is the instructor’s responsibility to ensure that the learning environment is accessible, students with disabilities must request accommodations, when needed. Instructors will find it useful to include a statement on their syllabus which informs students about the steps they need to take to receive classroom accommodations through the Office of AccessABILITY Services. (Including 5 day advance notice).

In certain situations, reasonable accommodations may require modification of standard classroom approaches. The following are examples of accommodations that may be necessary to ensure equal access to education:

• Provide necessary accommodations for exams where the student can receive the accommodations needed. (Provide necessary adjustments such as preferred seating and extended time for online exams for students to receive proper accommodations).
• Provide alternative ways to fulfill course requirements. (Use best practices for Universal Design Learning).
• Allow assistive technology such as audio recorders, electronic note-takers, and laptop computers to be used in the classroom.
• Consider alternate ways of assessing student’s knowledge of the course content which allows the student’s academic abilities to be measured.

Confidentiality in the accommodation process must be maintained by all parties. An Accommodation Card should be provided by the student. Faculty should refrain from discussing students’ disabilities and necessary accommodations in the presence of fellow students or others who do not have an “educational need to know.”

The Office of AccessABILITY Services staff are available to answer questions and serve as a resource for faculty seeking assistance in providing accommodations to students.

Faculty Rights:

Faculty members have the right to:

• Maintain academic standards for courses.
• Determine course content and how it will be taught.
• Confirm a student’s accommodations and ask for clarification about a specific accommodation (listed on the student’s accommodation card)
• Deny a request for accommodation – if the student has not been approved for such accommodation or if the student does not provide their accommodation card to the instructor.
• Award grades appropriate to the level of the student’s demonstration of mastery of the material
• Fail a student who does not perform to passing standards.

Faculty members do not have the right to:

• Refuse to provide approved accommodation for a documented disability.
• Challenge the legitimacy of a student’s disability.
• Review a student’s documentation, including diagnostic data.

Faculty Responsibilities:

Faculty members have the responsibility to:

• Understand the laws and university’s guidelines regarding students with disabilities.
• Refer students to the Office of AccessABILITY Services when necessary!
• Provide requested accommodations and academic adjustments to students who have documented disabilities (and provide their accommodations card to instructor) in a timely manner.
• Maintain appropriate confidentiality of records concerning students with disabilities except when disclosure is required by law or authorized by the student.
• Provide handouts, videos and other course materials in accessible formats upon request.