Section Two: Using Disability Services and Accommodations
Academic and Classroom Accommodations & Services

Instructor Liaison

Advocacy and Disclosure

Students are their own best advocates in most cases. Because of this and our guidelines on confidentiality, we prefer that you discuss the accommodation that DSPS has recommended directly with your instructor.

To help you do so, your counselor/advisor discusses with you those accommodations you will use. If needed, they can help you formulate how to present your limitations and your needs, especially in the context of a particular class’s requirements. In the student success section of this handbook there are additional materials on self-advocacy.

Unless you anticipate requesting accommodations from your instructor, you do not need to disclose your involvement with a DSP&S program. If an issue arises later, and you decide to request accommodations, you can consult with your advisor/counselor for guidance, if needed.

If an instructor questions your status as a student with a disability or has concerns about the accommodations, he/she may call the programs. We do not disclose your diagnosis, but will confirm that the proper documentation is on file, and that the accommodations are appropriate. Often an issue is resolved with a simple clarification. If the situation requires more mediation or information, your counselor/advisor will inform you. In most cases DSS or EDC will initiate a dialogue that involves all parties.

Notification to Instructors

The programs do not routinely send notifications or accommodation letters to your instructors. If you want this as a service, you must ask for it.  You may hand carry the notification to your instructor or sign off that you wish the program to send it.

Those instructors who will have interpreters or real-time captioners in their classroom, will recieve does an informational packet before the quarter begins.

Steps to Receive Instructor Notifications:

1. If you and your advisor or counselor determine an “Instructor Referral” or an “Accommodation Authorization Memo” is appropriate for your situtation, you can request that one be prepared.
   
   • An “Instructor Referral” states that you are a student with a verified disability and that you will be speaking to the instructor about the accommodation needs DSPS has recommended.
   • An “Accommodations Authorization” memo states that you are authorized to receive certain accommodations.
2. Meet with your counselor/advisor to make the request and sign to release the information.

Progress Checks

Students are encouraged to be aware of of their course progress.   This can be done by monitoring the instructor's feedback on assignments, periodically calculating their grade to date in the course, and talking with instructors. By doing so, you can get help if needed early to improve your success in the course. 

EDC advisors and DSS Counselors will assist you to learn a process to evaluate class progress that will be useful throughout your academic career.

DSS, on request by the student when circustances warrant, may send out a mid-quarter Progress Checks to obtain instructor feeback that can then be shared with a student in planning any needed interventions.

Steps to Receive Progress Check Service:

1. Meet with DSS counselor to discuss  the self-monitoring process.
2. If requesting a Progress Check, sign a consent.
3. Meet with counselor to review instructor feedback.