Foreign Language Accommodation: Incorporating Evidence-Based Practices Under the AHEAD
Documentation Guidance
Association on Higher Education and Disability
July 11, 2013
Sally Scott, sscott2@umw.edu
Manju Banerjee, manjubanerjee@landmark.edu
Session Overview
Common Misconceptions about Foreign Language (FL) Learning
 FL disability is a distinct disability category under the ADA AA
 Learning Disability implies FL difficulty …. Or does it?
 Traditional accommodations (e.g. x-time, note-taker) should be able to address any FL learning difficulty
 There are specific tests (e.g., MLAT) which can diagnose a foreign language disability
FL Accommodations on Your Campus
In your group please discuss:
 What accommodations are available in foreign language courses on your campus?
 What is the protocol for decision-making?
Foreign Language Accommodation on Different Campuses
 FL coursework, but no FL requirement
 General accommodations available in all classes
 Accommodations specific to foreign language
 Course substitutions/waivers
 Decisions by ODR, academic dean, FL committee
 Other?
Complexities of FL Accommodation Decision-Making
 Not based on diagnosis alone
S.Scott & M. Banerjee
July 11, 2013
AHEAD national conference, Baltimore, MD

 Language learning demands are varied across different languages
 Instructional approaches may differ across institutions and classrooms
 Traditional accommodations don’t address frequent barriers
 Other?
Components of Language Competence From L2 literature
1.
Language Competence a.
Grammatical Competence i.
Phonology/Orthography ii.
Vocabulary iii.
Syntax/Morphology b.
Textual Competence
Broad Underlying Constructs in Learning a Language from LD literature
 Decoding the sound/symbol system
 Phonology
 Orthography
 Syntax
 Semantics
 Information processing
 Auditory processing
 Working memory
 Processing speed
 Automaticity/fluency in decoding
Three Basic Steps in Accommodation Decision-making

Is the disability covered under the ADAAA?

Are the impairments substantially limiting to warrant disability status under the ADA?

What are appropriate and reasonable accommodations?
Mining Documentation for Evidence

Objective Evidence/AHEAD Tertiary
S.Scott & M. Banerjee
July 11, 2013
AHEAD national conference, Baltimore, MD


Authentic Evidence/AHEAD Secondary

Relevant Evidence/AHEAD Primary
Foreign Language Accommodation

Objective Evidence o Auditory processing o Working memory o Phonological awareness
Foreign Language Accommodation

Documentation markers: Tests of auditory processing
Foreign Language Accommodation

Documentation markers: Tests of memory
Foreign Language Accommodation

Documentation markers: Tests of phonological awareness and language learning
Foreign Language Accommodation

Authentic and relevant evidence
Foreign Language Accommodation

Documentation markers: o Developmental history o Early learning history o HS learning history o HS foreign language
Compiling Salient Information
Foreign Language Case Review (handout)
Developmental history
Early learning history
FL learning history
Standardized testing
Sources of Information (AHEAD’s primary, secondary and tertiary sources)
S.Scott & M. Banerjee
July 11, 2013
AHEAD national conference, Baltimore, MD

The role of campus-based decision-making
Linking Evidence to Accommodation – Tipping Points

Is there evidence from multiple sources?

Is there a consistent pattern of evidence over time (cross validation)?

Is there past history? If not, is there an explanation?
Case Study Applications
Group break outs:
Case 1: Sarah
Case 2: David
In your group please consider:
What are your sources of documentation?
Is there a pattern of evidence over time?
Is the documentation compelling?
Recommendations?
Other Alternatives and Supports
If not a substitution or waiver…. Then what? (see handout)
Programmatic options
Additional supports
Administrative accommodations
Instructor supports
Creating additional programmatic options
Audience Q and A
S.Scott & M. Banerjee
July 11, 2013
AHEAD national conference, Baltimore, MD