To view Case Western Reserve University's official policy statement regarding disability resources and accommodations, please visit the procedures page.
Students requesting accommodations must go through the documentation and eligibility process outlined by Disability Resources. Once a student has gone through this process, their instructors will be notified of the approved accommodation(s) via an official email accommodation letter.
Here are some important tips and guidelines for faculty regarding student accommodations:
- To receive accommodations, students must go through the official process via the Disability Resources Office. If a student comes to you and discloses a disability or asks you for accommodations, you should direct them to the Disability Resources Office in 402 Sears. If you direct them to Disability Resources in a verbal conversation, please follow up with an email that reiterates your advice and provides contact information for Disability Resources; this will ensure that there is written documentation of the interaction.
- Disability Resources determines what accommodations are appropriate for each student. These accommodations only take effect once they are approved by Disability Resources and cannot be applied retroactively.
- Although you will be notified of any accommodations via an official accommodation letter from Disability Resources, the student is still encouraged to initiate a conversation with you regarding their needs in your course. However, if you receive an accommodation letter and have questions regarding how those accommodations will be implemented in your particular classroom, please contact a Disability Resources staff member at 216.368.5230.
- The accommodations letter you receive will not list a student's particular diagnosis nor any other medical details. Students may voluntarily disclose this information to you, but it is not appropriate to ask for medical information or any other details beyond what is necessary to conduct your class.
- It is always the student's decision regarding whether to disclose a disability, begin the accommodations process, or make use of the accommodations for which they have been approved. If you notice that one of your students is having academic difficulties, do not automatically assume that they have a disability or even that their possible disability is the cause of their difficulties. If you are concerned about the students struggles, simply refer them to their Navigator who can make the necessary connection.
- It is also important to note that a student may disclose a disability or request accommodations at any time during the semester. A student's accommodations take effect once they have delivered their accommodation letter to you; the accommodations do not apply to materials or situations that occurred prior to their distribution of the accommodation letter.
There are several types of accommodations for which students may be approved, and not all of them will affect what happens in the classroom. Below are some of the common types of accommodations which faculty may encounter.
Testing Accommodations
Testing accommodations apply to in-class, timed assessments (tests, quizzes, timed labs) only. This accommodation does not apply to out-of-class assignments such as papers or long term assignments.
Undergraduate students may take their accommodated tests through the Office of Accommodated Testing and Services (OATS), managed by Rachel Inman. There are specific procedures for both faculty and students who use this service.
Learn more about Testing Accommodations.
Flexible Attendance
When a student has a chronic condition with random or cyclical acute episodes, modifications to attendance policies may be appropriate as an accommodation.
Attendance accommodations, including policy and procedures, need to be established in advance with the office of Disability Resources and cannot be applied retroactively. Guidance on flexible attendance can be found below as well as the link to create a course flexible attendance agreement.
Please note only one form needs to be completed for each course since the agreement will be the same for all students with this accommodation.
Learn more about Flexible Attendance.
To submit a flexible attendance agreement for one of your classes, complete the Flexible Attendance Agreement form.
Extensions on out-of-class assignment
When a student has a chronic condition with random or cyclical acute episodes, modifications to assignment due dates may be an appropriate accommodation.
Assignment accommodations, including procedures for implementation of extension, need to be established in advance with the office of Disability Resources and cannot be applied retroactively. Guidance on the policy of extensions on out-of-class assignments agreements can be found below as well as the link to create a course agreement.
Please note only one form needs to be completed for each course since the agreement will be the same for all students with this accommodation.
To submit an Extensions on Out-of-Class Assignments Agreement for one of your classes, complete the Extensions on Out-of-Class Assignments Agreement Form.
Peer Note Taking
A peer note taker is a volunteer CWRU student that makes duplicate copies of their notes from a class and provides a copy to the requesting eligible student registered with Disability Resources. If a student requires a peer note taker for your course, you will be contacted with more information by Scott Bryden, from the Office of Accommodated Testing and Services (OATS). If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Scott at notes@case.edu.
Alternative Text Requests
The University is required to provide course materials in alternate formats to those who have a documented need for it in order to access the courses in which they are enrolled. Commonly used alternate formats include audio recordings, e-text, and Braille.
Learn more about Alternative Text.
Service Animals
A service animal is a dog that has been individually trained to work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability. Other animals, whether wild or domestic, do not qualify as service animals.
Examples of such work or tasks include, but are not limited to, guiding individuals with no or low vision, alerting people who are deaf or hard of hearing, pulling a wheelchair, recognizing and assisting during a seizure, retrieving items, interrupting obsessive compulsive or destructive behavior, reminding a personal with a psychological or psychiatric disability to take prescribed medications, assisting with balance, or calming a person with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) during an anxiety attack. Service animals are working animals not pets.
Learn more about Service and Assistance Animal Guidelines.
Responsive Transportation Procedures
Students with disabilities may have a temporary injury or a permanent condition impacting their mobility. Students may be unable to ambulate, or they may have a condition that negatively impacts their stamina. These students may be eligible to use responsive transportation on campus.
Learn more about Responsive Transportation.
Accessible Parking Procedures
Students, especially commuters, may need accessible parking in order to have reasonable access to their programs and activities. Accessible parking is offered to allow students with these needs to purchase permits for parking lots appropriate to their schedules.
Learn more about Accessible Parking.
Emergency Evacuation for Persons with Disabilities
Students with disabilities may require assistance, depending on their disability, when evacuating a building in an emergency. Review these standard approaches to employ during an emergency situation.
Learn more about Emergency Evacuation for Persons with Disabilities.