Student Responsibilities
Students are responsible for initiating registration with the Accessible Education Center (AEC), submitting current and complete documentation of their disability, and meeting with AEC staff to review their educational, medical, and accommodation history, along with any current barriers to access. This direct interaction is essential and complements the documentation provided. Continued communication with AEC staff may be necessary when updates to the student’s situation arise. Students must also communicate directly with their instructors regarding any accommodations needed during the term, preferably within the first few weeks. Students will use AEC's online portal, AEC Connect, to request accommodations and schedule exams. AEC staff may assist the student with this communication. If requesting accommodations coordinated by the AEC (such as testing and notetaking accommodations), students must submit appropriate requests by specified deadlines.
Instructor Responsibilities
Instructors have the responsibility to ensure full access for students with disabilities by responding to a student's need or request for accommodations as outlined below. The University of Oregon has a flexible and individualized approach to accommodations and strives to create an inclusive learning environment for not only students with disabilities, but for all students by incorporating principles of Universal Design for Instruction.
It is useful to examine assumptions that you might have about disabilities, limitations, or perceived challenges, especially in advising or mentoring relationships. Sometimes students are unintentionally discouraged from specific fields of study based on assumptions and comments that are inaccurate and harmful.
If a student presents you with a notification letter from the Accessible Education Center (AEC)
You have the responsibility to cooperate with the AEC in providing accommodations in a reasonable and timely manner. Any concerns or questions that you have should be addressed immediately with the student, or by consulting with an AEC Advisor.
Students initiate notification letters through the AEC’s online portal, and they are emailed directly from the AEC. These letters outline reasonable accommodations based on the student’s individual circumstances and applicable legal requirements. Please review the letter with the student during office hours or at another mutually convenient time. This conversation should be private and confidential.
Refer to the Shared Responsibilities document for descriptions of commonly approved accommodations. Additionally, consider whether adjustments to course design could benefit all students. For example, if a student who cannot view PowerPoint slides requests access to the content beforehand, posting the slides for the entire class may support broader learning needs by allowing students to preview material in advance.
If a student does not present you with a notification letter
If a student requests an accommodation based on disability, but does not provide you with a notification letter, or just mentions that they experience a disability, please refer them to the AEC. Depending on the nature of the request, you may wish to provide requested accommodations before receiving a notification letter from AEC. If you are unsure how to proceed, please contact AEC.
If you have a question about the appropriateness of an accommodation
Questions about the appropriateness of accommodations and student requests should be directed to an AEC advisor, or in complicated cases to the Director. Possibilities for a universal design strategy to address the request should also be explored.
If a disability is suspected
When a student appears to be experiencing challenges that may be related to a disability, it is appropriate to share your observations with them directly and respectfully. For example, if a student is visibly struggling to write quickly enough during a quiz, you might say, “It looks like you’re having difficulty writing fast enough to complete the quiz within the allotted time.” If the student acknowledges this challenge it would be appropriate to refer them to AEC to explore accommodations, such as more time to write, or use of a computer.
The decision to self-identify to the Accessible Education Center (AEC) and to utilize accommodations rests entirely with the student and cannot be required. However, in order to receive accommodations approved through the AEC, the student must disclose their need and complete the appropriate review and assessment process.
Flexibility in Attendance and Assignment Deadlines
For accommodations related to flexibility in attendance and/or assignment deadlines, please refer to AEC's Guidance for Flexibility in Attendance and Assignment Deadlines.
Shared Responsibilities
Students requesting specific accommodations are expected to notify you early in the term or well in advance of when the accommodation is needed. You do not have an obligation to offer make up exams or provide retroactive accommodations to students who have delayed notification to you. It is not possible to anticipate all individual needs, although designing instruction for the broadest range of students helps to eliminate potential barriers to access. It is important to encourage students who encounter barriers in your class to contact you as soon as possible so that you and the student can discuss options. When a student discloses a disability, it is important to ask what you can do to facilitate learning.