THE ACCOMMODATION PROCESS
AT CSU
Lindsay Varkula, M.A.
Graduate Assistant
Office of Disability Services
Cleveland State University
PRESENTATION OVERVIEW
• Federal law
• Disability Services
values
• AHEAD and best
practices for disability
services in higher
education
• Registration/intake
process
• Types of accommodations
and services
•
DISABILITY LAW
1960s: People considered “crippled”
– Few services and no legal protection
•
1973: Rehabilitation Act, Sections 501, 504, and 508
•
1990: Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
•
– Civil rights law designed to prevent discrimination
– Applied to individuals with a physical/mental disability
that substantially limited a major life activity
2008: Americans with Disabilities Amendments Act
(ADAAA)
– Court rulings from 1990 – 2008 made the ADA “too
restrictive”
– ADAAA broadens previous definition of disability
– Determine accommodations by worst case scenario
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN GRADE SCHOOL AND
POST-SECONDARY DISABILITY SERVICES
Elementary & High School
• Individuals with Disabilities
Education Act (IDEA)
– Created in 1970 and updated
in 1997
• Required to identify, test, and
accommodate students with
disabilities (IDEA & Section
504)
• Modifications of curriculum
and expectations
• Students progress at their
level
Post-Secondary
• Student bears the task of
providing documentation to
verify existence of a
disability
• Accommodations cannot
alter the fundamental
elements of a course or
program
• Can fail to proceed
– Law guarantees ACCESS
NOT SUCCESS
• Completion of requirements
for graduation or licensure
DISABILITY SERVICES VALUES
• Empower students to self-advocate
• Focus on students’ personal strengths
• Advocate for universal design
• Educate the university community about disability
compliance, issues, and responsibilities
• Prepare college students with disabilities for careers
A.H.E.A.D.
– Association on Higher Education and Disability
(AHEAD)
• http://www.ahead.org/
– AHEAD creates Best Practices guidelines for
working with individuals with disabilities in a
higher education setting
• CSU’s Office of Disability Services utilizes
AHEAD guidelines
REGISTRATION/INTAKE PROCESS
• Documentation review
– Minimum documentation requirements
– Verification forms
• Interview
– Impact on performance
– Knowledge of disability and diagnosis
– Medication and side-effects
• Determination of appropriate accommodations
MINIMUM DOCUMENTATION REQUIREMENTS
• Current (generally within the past 3 years)
• Completed by a licensed professional
• Includes a diagnosis
EXAMPLE VERIFICATION FORM:
Medical Disability and Chronic Health
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Licensed medical professional
Diagnosis
Severity & potential changes/flare-ups
Medications & side effects
Influence on academics
Other recommendations
ACCOMMODATION MEMOS
• After registering with
ODS, students receive
memos
• Students give memos to
all instructors
• A short conversation with
instructors is
recommended
• ODS students must be
given to all instructors at
the beginning of each
semester to receive
accommodations
 No accommodations can
be granted
retrospectively
• Instructors are expected to
provide all accommodations
listed on memos
 Instructors encouraged to
contact ODS if
accommodations are not
effective
 Instructors encouraged to
contact ODS with concerns
(attendance, exams,
assignments)
 Instructors encouraged to
call ODS for
recommendations/collaborat
ive problem-solving
GRIEVANCE PROCESSES
• For students
– Share concerns with ODS
– Appeal to the CSU Affirmative Action Office
• For faculty/instructors
– Contact ODS ASAP with any questions and concerns about
accommodations
– Regulations under Family Educational Rights and Privacy
Act (FERPA)
ACCOMMODATIONS AND SERVICES
• Testing accommodations
– Extended time
– Distraction-reduced
environment
– Reader/scribe
– Computer
– Alternative formats
• Alternative text
– Learning Alley and
Victor Readers
– Kurzweil and screen
readers
– Accessible course
documents and websites
• Universal design
– Physical barriers
(example: lab classes)
– Universal design in
academics
ACCOMMODATIONS AND SERVICES
Adaptive Technology
• Computer programs
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Jaws
Zoom text/Magic
Dragon Naturally Speaking
Word processer (spell/grammar
check)
– Inspiration and writing
programs
• CCTV and magnification
devices
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Recording devices
Pulse pen
Ergonomic devices
Braille
Tactile images
Communication boards
Mobility aids: canes
wheelchairs, walkers
ACCOMMODATIONS AND SERVICES
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Note-taking
Sign Language Interpreting/FM systems
Alternative assignments
Attendance modifications
Residence halls
Service animals
USING THE OFFICE OF DISABILITY SERVICES
AND OTHER CSU RESOURCES
• Considerations for ODS students
• Considerations for CSU faculty and staff
Office of Disability Services
Cleveland State University
2121 Euclid Avenue
MC 147
Cleveland, OH 44115-2214
Phone: (216) 687-2015
Fax: (216) 687-2343
ods@csuohio.edu