Accommodating Students with Disabilities in Higher Education 

Northeast Iowa Community College - Accessibility Services and Testing Centers

Introduction

Higher education is changing! One important change is the growing diversity of students; disability is part of that diversity. Therefore, it is likely that you have students with disabilities in your classes and programs.

You are not alone when it comes to accommodating students with disabilities; neither are you expected to be an expert on disability. Contact your Accessibility Services Office  to request help, to get answers to questions, to raise concerns, or to get clarification on NICC policies and procedures relating to students with disabilities.

The design and implementation of disability-related accommodations is a collaborative process involving the student, the  Accessibility Services Office, and, often, the faculty member. 

There are four main implications for faculty regarding the laws governing disability-related services in higher education. Students with disabilities must meet the same admission standards as other students. Once admitted, they have the same rights to all programs and facilities and are eligible to receive reasonable accommodations that relate to their disability. They have a right to confidentiality of all disability-related information. 

Students with disabilities are responsible to meet the same academic standards as other students. While students may receive some reasonable accommodations intended to mitigate the educational impact of their disabilities, these accommodations should not water down the curriculum, alter the standards for performance or waive any course or class activity that provides students with essential knowledge or skills. 

Universal Design for Learning (UDL) strategies may reduce or eliminate the need for some individual accommodations in many cases; however, individualized accommodations will be necessary for many students with disabilities. 

When a student requests an accommodation… 

 1.  Ask the student if they have applied for services with the Accessibility Services Office.

If the student has not applied: Refer the student to Accessibility Services so the disability can be documented and appropriate accommodations determined. Do not provide any disability-related accommodations until you have received an approved accommodations form for the proper semester from the student or emailed to you that is signed by the Accessibility Services Coordinator

If the student has applied: You should receive an approved accommodations form from Accessibility Services Coordinator recommending accommodations for the student. If the student does not have this, ask the student to obtain it before providing the accommodation.

2. Once the student provides you with the Accessibility Services  accommodation request:

Talk with the student on how best to implement those accommodations. 

Keep a copy for your own records and refer back to it as needed.

3.  If at any time you have questions regarding the accommodation plan, call Accessibility Services:

Continue to provide accommodations until you are provided direction from  an Accessibility Services Director/Coordinator.