Lone Star College–Tomball Disability Services
Following are questions instructors frequently ask about students receiving accommodations while in college.
What is the "Americans with Disabilities Act"?
Both the Vocational Rehabilitation Act of 1973, "Section 504", and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) require that qualified students with disabilities receive reasonable accommodations in order to benefit from all post-secondary educational programs and activities.
How does it affect my role as an instructor?
It will be necessary for an instructor to grant students, with officially documented disabilities, the specific accommodations identified by the college disability service provider.
What is a "disability"?
A person with a “disability" is defined as "any person who (i) has a physical or mental impairment which substantially limits one or more major life activities, (ii) has a record of such an impairment, or (iii) is regarded as having such an impairment."
Disabilities normally fall under one of three categories - physical, psychological disorders or learning disabilities. An individual may have disabilities in more than one area.
What are considered "reasonable" accommodations?
Reasonable accommodations at the post-secondary level are designed to make the educational setting and services readily accessible to and useable by people with disabilities. Reasonable accommodations may include providing or modifying equipment or devices, qualified interpreters, note-takers, transcription services, written materials, telephone handset amplifiers, assistive listening devices, open and closed captioning, telecommunication devices for persons with hearing impairments, etc. It may also include extended time for tests or preparation of written work, and/or substitution of specific test-taking requirements.
Only modifications that do not fundamentally alter the nature of the program and are not unduly burdensome financially or administratively are considered "reasonable."
Are you sure students aren't just using this as an excuse to get out of doing the work?
Lone Star College–Tomball counselors verify both the existence of each student's disabilities through prior diagnostic or medical records or through an assessment done by the college's own diagnostician and the specific limitations that this particular student experiences as a result of the disability.
Can I just have the student try testing once or twice without the accommodations?
Students are given an “Accommodations Checklist” after a qualified professional has verified their disability. Refusing to allow the student to use their accommodations is a violation of the ADA and, therefore, against the law. This can leave both the instructor and the college vulnerable to legal action by the student. It is also a violation of Texas state accreditation standards.
More importantly, asking a student with a disability not to use their accommodations is analogous to asking a person who needs glasses to take a test without them! Obviously the student won't do as well without the aid. Many students with disabilities were diagnosed, and have been dealing with their disabilities, as long ago as childhood and doubting the validity of their disability may have a negative effect on the teacher-student relationship.
If a faculty member has difficulty with the specific accommodation that has been identified as appropriate, because of specific learning outcomes for the class, the issue should not be raised with the student; issues and disagreements should be expressed directly to the special needs counselor. See Question 13 below.
Giving one student accommodations makes me feel like I'm being unfair to the other students.
Because of their disabilities, students with special needs experience barriers, which put them at a disadvantage and threaten their ability to do as well as other students or from realizing their potential. Accommodations help equalize the playing field for these students and can help them succeed despite these obstacles.
If we are preparing students for the workplace, won't this give them a false sense of accomplishment?
Students with special needs must demonstrate the same level of knowledge as other students to complete the class; therefore, their skill level should be the same as that of other students. In addition, federal law requires that employers grant qualified employees with disabilities reasonable accommodations in the workplace.
It's no big deal if I talk with students about their disability in front of other students, right?
Any reports or documentation regarding a student's disability is strictly confidential. Release of any information requires the student's written consent.
It is recommended that faculty include a statement on the first day of class and in the syllabus inviting students to privately disclose to them any modifications required to accommodate their disability. Also, disclosure of the disability to the instructor is at the student’s discretion and s/he should not be pressured to reveal it.
Does this mean I have to lower my grading standards?
Faculty members do not have to lower grading standards for special needs students. With accommodations, they should be able to do as well as other students.
They may, however, sometimes need to demonstrate this knowledge using a format or method that differs from the usual.What is the procedure for giving students accommodations?
- Once a student has registered for classes they should make an appointment with the Disability Services counselor in the Student Life Office, 281-351-3380.
- After careful review of the student's records, or upon completion of a diagnostic evaluation, an Accommodations Checklist will be completed and a copy will be given to the student.
- It will be the student's responsibility to give a copy to each instructor at the beginning of the semester.
- It is then the instructor’s responsibility to see that the accommodations are granted.
What will happen if a student complains?
Students are encouraged to talk with the Disability Services counselor if they experience any problems in the classroom. The counselor will then contact the instructor either by phone or by letter to discuss the problem. If necessary, the Associate Dean will be invited to participate in the discussion.
Retaliation by an instructor against a student who files a complaint is against District policy and a violation of the law.
What if I disagree with the accommodations being granted?
Instructors may call the Student Life Center at 281-351-3380 to discuss any questions or concerns with the Special-Needs counselor, or may speak with the Assistant Dean of the Student Life Center at the same number.
As needed, the Special-Needs counselor will confirm with the Lone Star College System legal counsel that an accommodation is reasonable and legal.
What if I'm unsure what to do, where can I go for help?
Instructors may call the Student Life office at 281-351-3380 and speak with the Disability Services counselor or with the Assistant Dean for assistance.