Office of
Disability Support Services

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, University Center, Suite 300.
• 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.

Quick Guides for Working with Students with:

• Asperger's Disorder and Related Disorders
• Attention Deficit Disorder
• Dyscalculia
• Dysgraphia
• Dyslexia
• Hearing Disability
• Learning Disability
  
• Visual Impairment

Additional Resources

• Do's and Dont's of Working With a Student with A Disability
• Ideas for Accommodating Individuals with ADD/ADHD
• Ideas for Accommodating Individuals with Learning Disabilities 
• Video: Oxford Students with Dyslexia
• Teaching and Assessment Strategies for students with Asperger's Syndrome
• Strategies for Inclusive Language
• Ways that Faculty Can Help Students with Disabilities
• What is Asperger's Syndrome
  
• When Faculty are TOO Accommodating
• Working Together: Faculty and Students with Disabilities
• Working with a Student Who Has Any Type of Disability

Online Resources

Association of Higher Education and Disability (AHEAD)

    http://ahead.org

Do-It Student Services Office

    Applications of Universal Design  

"Universal design is the design of products and environments to be usable by all people, to the greatest extent possible, without the need for adaptation or specialized design." - Ron Mace

    Faculty Room:

"The Faculty Room is a space for faculty and administrators at postsecondary institutions to learn about how to create classroom environments and academic activities that maximize the learning of all students, including those with disabilities."

    AccessCollege: Postsecondary Education and Students with Disabilities

"In order for students with disabilities to be successful in college, they need to be adequately prepared and programs, information resources, and facilities must be accessible to them. The AccessCollege websites are designed to help faculty, administrators, and staff create accessible environments, programs, and resources for students with disabilities and to help students with disabilities prepare for and succeed in college."

LD Online

    http://www.ldonline.org/

LD OnLine is a resources for individuals with learning disabilities, learning disorders and differences. REsources are also available for parents and teachers of learning disabled individuals. THe goal of LD online is to help children and adults reach their full potential by providing accurate and up-to-date information and advice about learning disabilities and ADHD. The site features hundreds of helpful articles, multimedia, monthly columns by noted experts, first person essays, children’s writing and artwork, a comprehensive resource guide, very active forums, and a Yellow Pages referral directory of professionals, schools, and products.