How Are Disability Accommodations Determined?

Disability Support Services (DSS) is UNC's designated office for determining a student's eligibility for disability services. There are various factors that influence the decision for each student: the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act; the student's diagnosis and documentation of strengths and weaknesses; and the specific UNC course and its requirements.

Listed below are the recommended procedures for a student to follow when requesting disability accommodations.

  1. The student is responsible for providing Disability Support Services (DSS) with medical or psychological documentation. The diagnosis must be from a psychologist, physician, or psychiatrist authorized to diagnose the stated disability.
  2. The Director of DSS verifies the documentation using the Documentation Guidelines (available upon request at DSS) established by the Consortium of Support Programs for Students with Disabilities--Colorado Post-Secondary Institutions. If the documentation is questionable, an expert in the diagnosing field evaluates the documentation. The Director informs the student of the acceptance of the documentation or the need to seek additional documentation.
  3. Each student with appropriate documentation meets with the Director of DSS to discuss academic accommodations. The determination of appropriate services is based on the student's documentation, academic strengths and needs, history of disability services, DSS accommodations offered, and campus resources. The student receives services that are appropriate for the disability and verified by the documentation.
  4. The student is responsible for notifying faculty and staff of his/her academic accommodation needs. DSS will provide a general disability letter for students requesting notetakers and/or test accommodations. Upon faculty or student request, DSS will provide a letter specifically stating the student's needs.
  5. Even though faculty and staff cannot refuse to provide required accommodations or to question whether the disability exists when accommodations have been authorized by the university, they are encouraged to verify the validity of the student's request. If you have a question concerning the disability or the accommodation request, call DSS at (970) 351-2289.

THE PURPOSE OF THE ACCOMMODATIONS IS TO ALLOW THE STUDENT TO DEMONSTRATE HIS OR HER KNOWLEDGE OF THE SUBJECT MATTER RATHER THAN MEASURE THE DISABILITY. THE PURPOSE IS NOT TO LOWER PROGRAM AND/OR CLASS STANDARDS.

Steps to assist faculty in determining academic accommodations for a student in an undergraduate program:

  1. Once the student has identified him/herself as an individual with a disability and requests disability assistance, discuss the academic needs of the student. Encourage the student to set up an appointment to discuss accommodations.

  2. Ask the student what study and testing strategies have been successful in the past.
  3. Discuss the course requirements and accommodations that would be necessary for the student to meet the requirements of the class.
  4. Determine the purpose of the assignment or test and what knowledge you are expecting the student to demonstrate. (Is the goal to have a written product or is the goal for the student to demonstrate the knowledge of the concept?)
  5. Utilize dependable class members to assist with note taking and/or other accommodation requests.
  6. Call DSS to request a statement verifying the disability and/or the accommodations, to verify the request for alternate format for tests, for suggestions of accommodations, or if there is disagreement with the accommodation decision.

Steps to assist faculty in determining academic accommodations for a student in a Master's/Specialist/Doctorate program:

  1. Follow the above recommendations.
  2. Determine appropriate accommodations for course work throughout the program. As a department, establish guidelines determining who is responsible for approving the accommodation decision.
  3. Determine appropriate accommodations for written and/or oral comprehensive examinations. As a department, establish guidelines determining who is responsible for approving the accommodation decision.
  4. Determine appropriate accommodations for dissertation defense. As a department, establish guidelines determining who is responsible for approving the accommodation decision.
  5. If an exam is to be administered by DSS, the department must provide a written statement of the accommodations needed (e.g., time allotted, breaks allowed, readers, scribes, computer, etc.).
  6. Establish timelines for course work, written and/or oral comprehensives, dissertation defense, and completion of program.
  7. Determining accommodations is an ongoing process. Services may need to be adjusted throughout the program due to the nature of course requirements and changing conditions of student's disability. (The student must supply new documentation verifying any additional accommodation requests.)

Providing access and accommodations to individuals with disabilities is a campus responsibility. When faculty, student, and DSS make a collaborative decision concerning any academic accommodation, the student is more successful.

Remember each disability is different, each student with a disability is different, and each level of evaluation is different.

Call (970) 351-2289 for additional information.