Frequently Asked Questions

How will I know if I need to provide accommodations for a student?

Once a student has completed their registration with the Accessibility Services Office (AS) , they are encouraged to request that AS send their accommodation letter to their instructors within the first two weeks of each semester. The accommodation letter lists the student’s academic accommodations for a specific course and provides a detailed description as well as any necessary instructions for each accommodation. Please note that accommodations go into effect once the accommodation letter has been delivered to the instructor. Accommodations are not expected to be applied retroactively.

Please remember that the confidentiality of students with disabilities, as well as any disability-related information a student may share, is essential. At no time should the class be informed that a student has a disability, except in certain cases at the student’s expressed request. AS strongly recommends that students meet with or contacts each of their instructors at the beginning of the semester to discuss their accommodation needs. Students are responsible for notifying AS if accommodations are not in place or are not effective for a specific course. AS encourages instructors to contact us with any questions or concerns regarding students with disabilities and/or students’ accommodations, especially if it is a fundamental alteration of the course.

 

What if a student requests accommodations without an accommodation letter?

If a student requests accommodations for a disability but has not provided their professor with an accommodation letter from AS, please refer the student to the AS Office for further assistance. However, if the disability is visible (e.g. use of a wheelchair) and the accommodation request is reasonable, it is appropriate to provide the accommodation while the student is in the process of registering with AS.

 

What are the types of academic and classroom accommodations through YSU?

 

What accommodations do I, as the professor, have to provide?

Accessibility Services is happy to work with the faculty and staff of Youngstown State University, to assist in the accommodating of students with disabilities on campus. We have gathered some information that may assist you in the accommodation process. Please contact our office at (330) 941-1372 with any questions of concerns you may have about a student’s accommodations.

For assistance with online content in Blackboard, please contact the IDDC

 

Faculty Awareness

Accessibility Services provides students and faculty with assistance and information in meeting the requirements of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Amendments Act of 2008. Legislative compliance involves providing reasonable accommodations to qualified students with disabilities regarding educational opportunities, programs, and activities.

In order to receive academic accommodations, students must register with the Accessibility Services Office. Documentation of the student’s disability must be provided to the AS Coordinator. The coordinator, along with the student, will determine which accommodations are appropriate for that student.

Accommodations based upon individual functional limitations that may include but are not limited to:

  • Extended times to take exams
  • Distraction reduced testing environment
  • Course substitutions
  • A scribe to write for a student
  • Use of a computer to take an exam
  • Audio-recording of class lectures
  • Note Taking Assistance
  • Access to faculty member’s PowerPoints
  • Extended time to perform lab experiments
  • Usage of adaptive computer equipment
  • Use of sign language interpreters
  • Use of real-time captions
  • Audio Books
  • Preferential or special seating
  • Early registration
  • Use of large print on exams and handouts
  • Providing a reader for exams
  • Use of a simple 4-function calculator on math exams

 

Faculty Legal Responsibilities

Youngstown State University must follow Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Amendments Act of 2008 in providing the students with documented disabilities accommodations to “afford them an equal opportunity to participate in, and enjoy the benefits of a service, program, or activity conducted by an entity”. As an employee of the University, you must also follow these laws. It is also important for faculty and staff to respect the confidentiality of students’ disability-related information.

When unclear on how to appropriately accommodate students with disabilities, the Accessibility Services Office will work with the faculty member to meet the accommodation needs of his/her students. A coordinator at AS can arrange a meeting with the student and a faculty member to discuss accommodations.

 

What does AS recommend I, the faculty member, do on the first day of class?

It is recommended that on the first day of classes, faculty announce that if any student is in need of disability-related accommodations, he/she should connect with the professor during office hours or by phone. The University has a Student Accessibility link on the Common Syllabus. If you use the Common Syllabus, the statement will be linked in the document.

By taking these measures, a student will feel comfortable and are more likely to self-disclose disability issues in a private setting. The faculty member’s willingness to accommodate students with disabilities is also made evident.

For students with visual impairments or mobility impairments, faculty should discuss with the student how emergency evacuations will be handled. If faculty members or students with disabilities are uncomfortable with proposed evacuation plans, Accessibility Services can assist in formulating an alternative plan.

 

How will I, as a professor, know if a student needs an accommodation?

Once a student has completed the AS registration process, the student is encouraged to request that the AS Office send their professor(s) an accommodation letter as soon as possible at the beginning of the semester. This letter lists the accommodations the student has a right to receive in class. If you have any questions or concerns about an accommodation, please do not address the student, call AS and speak to a coordinator. Our office number is (330) 941- 1372. Please note that accommodations go into effect once the letter has been delivered to the instructor and are not expected to be applied retroactively by the instructor.

Please remember that the student’s disability and any disability-related information they share with you is confidential. Please do not share it with the class or anyone else without the student’s consent. AS recommended that the student meet with or email each of their professor at the beginning of the semester to discuss their accommodation needs for class. The students are responsible for contacting AS if the accommodations are not effective for a specific course. If a student requests an accommodation for a disability and it is not on their accommodation letter, please refer the student to AS for assistance. Professors should contact AS with any questions or concerns about the use of an

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Accessibility Services at (330) 941- 1372.

 

What are some of the responsibilities of the faculty?

Faculty members of YSU are required by federal law to provide reasonable accommodations to students with disabilities. If you believe an accommodation fundamentally alters your course requirements, please contact AS so we can discuss how the student’s requirements can be met in your course.

The University requests all professors to include the approved disability accommodation statement in their syllabus. There is a Student Accessibility link on the Common Syllabus. If you use the Common Syllabus, the statement will be linked in the document.

If a student approaches you about a disability and the need for accommodations, please refer the student to the AS office. A student may try to give you a copy of their documentation; they may not know the correct process. Please refer them to the AS office.

Confidentiality of student’s disability is very important. The student should not be identified as having a disability to the class or other students without the student’s permission. It is recommended that all disability related conversations take place in the professor’s office or in a private area away from other students.

 

Is it fair to other students to provide accommodations to students with disabilities? 

Providing a needed accommodation to a student with a disability is not giving the student an unfair advantage. It is providing the student the needed accommodations they need to have the same opportunities as the other students in the course. The University must ensure that a qualified student with a disability is not denied the benefit of the University’s program or that they are not excluded from a program because of the absence of auxiliary aids or services.