Disability Support Services
202 Holton Hall
Kansas State University
Manhattan, KS 66506
Phone: 785-532-6441
FAX: 785-532-6457
dss@k-state.edu

Accommodating Students with Disabilities at K-State

Legal Guidelines

The University views the provision of accommodations for students with disabilities as a cooperative effort, involving faculty, staff and students. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504) states that a university shall provide academic accommodations for students with documented disabilities. Auxiliary aids must be provided which are necessary to ensure that students with disabilities are not "denied the benefits of, excluded from participation in, or otherwise subjected to discrimination in" any program. That is, the University is required to make accommodations for the known physical and cognitive limitations of otherwise qualified students with disabilities. The intent is to provide an equivalent academic experience and learning opportunity, not to guarantee the outcome of the student's educational endeavor.

Roles and Responsibilities

DSS has been delegated the authority and the responsibility to prescribe academic adjustments and reasonable accommodations to students with disabilities. DSS is staffed with professionals to help both students and faculty members assist in determining appropriate academic accommodations.

The following is an outline of participants' responsibilities:

1. Students with disabilities are responsible for:
1. Identifing themselves to instructors and to DSS
2. Providing disability verification to and register with DSS
3. Students with cognitive disabilities: providing testing and evaluation results which are current
4. Consult with DSS regarding specific accommodation needs
5. Communicating to the professor, in a timely manner, necessary course accommodations
2. Faculty are responsible for:
1. Providing accommodations recommended by DSS for students with disabilities
2. Consulting with the DSS staff if a question arises regarding specific recommendations for accommodation for an individual student, particularly if special exam procedures or adaptations for an exam are involved
3. Maintaining confidentiality of all accommodations made for students with disabilities. In accordance with the federal law, it is critical to stress that all matters relating to a student with a disability remain confidential
3. DSS staff are responsible for:
1. Determining appropriate accommodations for students with disabilities
2. Providing letters for the student to give to instructor recommending specific accommodations
3. Working with instructors to provide recommended accommodations
4. Maintaining confidential records for each student with a disability
5. Providing disability-related counseling and advising

Disability Statement for Course Materials

DSS encourages instructors to include in each class syllabus a request that a student with a disability discuss his/her needs with you during the first two weeks of class in order to identify any necessary modifications or adaptations.

Following are suggested statements for faculty syllabi regarding academic accommodations for students with disabilities:

"Any student with a disability that needs a classroom accommodation, access to technology or other assistance in this course should contact Disability Support Services and/or their instructor."

or

"Any student with a disability who needs an accommodation or other assistance in this course should make an appointment to speak with me as soon as possible."

A discussion with the student could include:

1. A clear description of the student's disability
2. An examination of how this disability would affect all segments of class requirements, such as required readings, examinations, projects, class participation, field trips, etc.
3. Clarification of what services could be provided by DSS (e.g., interpreter, tapes of texts, etc)

Examination Arrangements for Students with Disabilities

Many students with disabilities find that they must have alterations in the way examinations are given in order not to be adversely affected by their disabling conditions. For example, a low vision student may need written material, including exams in large print. A student with limited hand dexterity may require a scribe or extra time to write. Modifications such as these are appropriate and consistent with federal law.

We recommend that the need for alternate exam procedures be discussed with the professor well in advance of the exam and the details worked out appropriately. DSS staff is available to assist in this process. Some alternatives that might be reasonable accommodations are listed below.

1. Providing Extra Time: The student may require more time to process information, to read or write, or to double check for accuracy, omission, or spelling due to disability. In most cases, DSS recommends time-plus-one-half for students who need extra time and most students find this adequate. All students who are using taped or large-printed exams, live readers or scribes should be allowed extra time. Occasionally, it may be appropriate to allow double time.
2. Providing Test Taking Accommodations: The exam should, whenever possible, be taken at the same time as the other students or on the same day. If the student's class schedule does not permit extended time during the class period (e.g., the student has back-to-back classes), then the student may need to reschedule the exam time. Many instructors prefer to administer the exam. If an appropriate site is not available in the department, such as a conference room, then DSS will proctor exams in the Testing Center located in 203 Holton Hall. More information is available on Test Taking Accommodations.