OCTOBER IS NATIONAL DISABILITY AWARENESS MONTH

Did you know . . . .

A “reasonable accommodation” is a modification, adjustment, and/or auxiliary aid that minimizes or eliminates the impact of a disability, allowing the student to gain equal access and opportunity to participate in the College’s courses, programs, services, activities, and facilities.

A “reasonable and appropriate accommodation” is one that does not:

• Require a substantial change or alteration in the curriculum or an essential element of a course or program.
• Fundamentally alter the nature of the service provided.
• Pose an undue financial hardship or administrative burden.
• Pose a direct threat to the health and safety of others.

Accommodations:

• Include examples such as notetakers, text-to-voice programs, and alternative testing which may include reading software, additional time, or a scribe.
• Are determined on an individual basis; not all students with the same disability will need the same accommodations.
• Require students to provide documentation of disability to the Disability Support Services (DSS) Office.

Confidentiality in ALL Areas:

• This means faculty may receive a request for accommodations without knowing the nature of the student’s disability. However, some students may choose to disclose information about their disability and how it impacts their learning.
• Violation of confidentiality can have legal impacts on both the faculty member and the institution.

Universal Design (UD) allows access for all, regardless of individual characteristics:

• More integrated, less stigmatizing and more supportive of learning environments.
• Key component of UD is flexibility.
• Takes into consideration the full range of learners.
• Includes accessibility of ALL instructional materials; those required as well as those that are supplemental.

Ildikó Rejtö was born deaf on May 11, 1937. When she began fencing at age 14 her coaches communicated their instructions on pieces of paper. She competed in five Olympics, earning two gold medals, one silver and two bronzes. She also holds the unusual distinction of being the only Summer Olympian to win medals using three different names, having married twice during her Olympic career. Photo courtesy International Olympic Committee.