Disability Support Services (DSS)

PLU'S PHILOSOPHY ON WORKING WITH STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES

• PLU is committed to providing equal educational opportunities in higher education to academically qualified students with disabilities
• Students with disabilities attending the University are integrated as completely as possible into the university community.
• PLU does not offer a specialized curriculum for students with disabilities nor does it assume the role of a rehabilitation center.
• PLU strongly encourages students with disabilities to be involved in both academic and extra curricular activities.

The Rights of Faculty

• To receive enough information about individual student needs so that teaching and advising responsibilities can be fulfilled. 
• To receive timely, reasonable requests regarding accommodations.

The Accommodation Process Involves:

• The student with a disability meets with Ruth Tweeten, M.A., Director of Disability Support Services, to discuss policies and procedures for instituting accommodations.
• The student provides a request for accommodation support and appropriate documentation of the disability.
  
• The Director determines accommodations to be provided by PLU.
• The student agrees in writing for a Letter of Accommodation to be sent to faculty describing the needed "classroom accommodations" recommended by the student's professional assessor.
• Faculty receiving the Letter of Accommodation which should be kept confidential by the faculty and discussed only with DSS (e.g,. informing the Director of any concerns of potentially "unreasonable accommodations.")
  

An Accommodation is "Unreasonable" if:

• It requires a change in the essential nature of a course or program.
• Creates an administrative "hardship" in implementation.
• Significantly compromises the health or safety of the student or others.
  

Providing Accommodations:

• Please include a statement about requesting accommodations in your syllabus, such as: If you need course adaptations or accommodations because of a disability, if you have emergency medical information to share with me, or if you need other special arrangements, please make an appointment with me as soon as possible.  If you have questions concerning the services available for students with disabilities at PLU, please contact Ruth Tweeten in Ramstad 106 or call x7206,
• Provide classroom accommodations only after you have received a Letter of Accommodation from the Director of Disability Support Services.  It is recommended the student and faculty have a discussion regarding specific support or arrangements needed to access any accommodations and the contents of the Letter of Accommodation. If a student has not made an appointment, faculty should contact the student if possible.
• Please take into account the needs of students with disabilities when designing off-campus experiences or atypical class activities (e.g., sign language interpreters, accessible parking, etc.)  See ADA Guide to Event Planning.
  

Good Practices:

• Asking the student how you can be of support.
• Asking how the disability affects the student's learning and participation in your class.
• Informing the student about services available through Disability Support Services, Ramstad Hall, Room 106.
• Asking for any support you need.
• Remember that records related to accommodations are protected by FERPA and should be treated with discretion.
  

Practices to Avoid:

• Asking the student for the actual diagnostic label of their disability, if not noted on the Letter of Accommodation.
• Stating assumptions about the student based on the type of disability or your previous experience with other students.
• Commenting on the student's disability or accommodation plans in front of others.
• Complaining to the student about providing accommodations.
• Challenging the student to explain the need for accommodations.
• Publicly "singling out" or identifying students with disabilities to the rest of your class, even to be helpful.
• Leaving a Letter of Accommodation in plain view of other students.
• Providing unnecessary information related to a student's disability or accommodations.