Information for Faculty

As faculty and staff, we share the responsibility to provide an accessible learning environment for all students, including students with disabilities. Here are some tips for how to make your class more accessible and inclusive.

We recommend that you regularly check your PSU email for DRC Faculty Notification Emails that list the specific accommodations you need to provide for each student. Please review the accommodations and follow the links to additional information on our website.

COLLABORATE TO PROVIDE APPROVED ACCOMMODATIONS

After a student has connected with our office, the DRC Access Counselor & Consultants consult with you as needed to ensure equal access in courses is provided while maintaining the academic integrity of the course or program. If the DRC determines a reasonable accommodation is necessary, the DRC will send a Faculty Notification Email alerting you to the approved accommodation(s) to your pdx.edu email.

We appreciate our partnership with faculty in providing accommodations to students. If you need assistance or have concerns that the accommodations interfere with the learning objectives of the course, you should contact the DRC for a collaborative dialogue about how to best serve the student. Under no circumstances should you simply deny an accommodation without communicating with the DRC about alternatives.

CONSIDER UNIVERSAL DESIGN

Universal Design benefits all students and goes a long way to ensure everyone has an equitable experience. Here are some simple ideas that can help all of your students. Visit the Office of Academic Innovation for information and support.

Consider alternatives to exams.
Provide verbal prompts during lectures
Facilitation communication and community building
Record live streamed lectures
Consider alternatives to textbooks

More About Universal Design

INCLUDE AN ACCESS AND INCLUSION STATEMENT

Include the DRC's suggested Access and Inclusion Syllabus Statement in your course syllabus and review it during the first week of each class.

SHOW THE DRC INTRODUCTION VIDEO AND REFER STUDENTS TO THE DRC

We hope you will show the brief Introduction to the DRC video to help students understand a bit more about the ways the DRC may be able to support them throughout the term.

When students request disability-related accommodations from you directly, without coming first to the Disability Resource Center (DRC), you must refer them to the DRC so that we can identify reasonable accommodations and make sure they are best supported. Please also email us to let us know you have made the referral. Please see the Reasonable Accommodation and Access Policy for more information.

RESPECT CONFIDENTIALITY

Confidentiality regarding a student's disability and/or registration status with the DRC is essential. Faculty must not ask the student for documentation or information about their diagnosis, nor accept disability documentation from the student. This information is protected by the Americans with Disabilities Act & Amendments Act (ADAAA). If a student offers documentation, please decline to accept it and refer the student to the DRC.

Do not announce a student's disability and/or that they use accommodations in class. Hold individual conversations about accommodations in a respectful and discreet manner.

COMMUNICATE WITH STUDENTS WHEN APPROACHED

By having a conversation with the student about their accommodations, you can determine how to put the listed accommodations into practice. This conversation should occur at a time and in a place (in person, over the phone, or over video chat) that allows you to provide individualized attention and confidentiality.

The Disability Resource Center (DRC) is your partner in providing accommodations. Reach out to us any time you have a question or concern.

CONTACT THE DRC WITH CONCERNS

Many accommodations do not require faculty attention, and most of those that do require attention occur without difficulty. However, when an approved accommodation causes concern, either because you have difficulty providing it or you are concerned that it may constitute a fundamental alteration to the academic learning objectives of the course, you should immediately contact the DRC. The DRC will respond promptly with support, suggestions, or reasonable alternative accommodations. To ensure student success, you may not stop providing the original accommodation until a reasonable alternative is in place. You can schedule a time to meet on our Schedule a Meeting webpage.

If you have questions about the information on this page, please contact the Disability Resource Center.

Email: drc@pdx.edu
Phone: 503-725-4150

Check our home page for hours and contact information.