SDAP: Faculty Orientation Handout
2014-2015
What is the Scholars with Diverse Abilities Program (SDAP)?
SDAP is a new and innovative program on campus aimed at providing students (Scholars) with mild to
moderate intellectual disabilities access to a 2-year college educational experience. When the Scholars
complete the program, they receive a Collegiate Achievement Award. We work with the Scholars on whole
person development: academic, social, personal, and career goals. SDAP aims that Scholars are able to
obtain employment that is meaningful to them upon completion of the award.
SDAP is completely inclusive. The Scholars attend all of their courses with other university students.
SDAP scholars attend concerts, ball games, and other campus activities with other university students.
SDAP scholars have full access to university programs and services.
Scholars are non-degree seeking students and audit all classes. The SDAP office provides modifications of
assignments and tests with your approval.
What to expect as an Instructor who has a Scholar in your class
As an Instructor, you….
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Teach your course as you normally would. You are not required to make any changes in your
syllabus or teaching style.
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Provide our office staff with access to AsUlearn, your syllabus and other materials so that we can
modify assignments and support the Scholar. Your participation in the modification of
assignments is helpful but voluntary. Your feedback however, is valuable and important to the
scholar’s success.
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Allow the Scholar to determine whether or not they want to be identified as part of the program.
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Discuss any concerns or questions with us. Email (sdap@appstate.edu), call 262-8389, or we can
meet in person. SDAP Graduate Assistants may contact you for an appointment to discuss
assignments, etc.
SDAP will Support you by...
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Maintaining a working relationship through regular communication, and fielding other requests
and suggestions from you, the Scholars, natural supports and tutors.
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Providing a natural support to assist Scholars in the classroom by taking notes, encouraging
participation, helping with class calendars, etc. The supports are peers who work with Scholar’s as
needed in class as well as tutoring and other aspects of college life.
●
Modifying assignments with your permission and/or suggestions to best benefit SDAP Scholar’s
success in the course.
●
Being available to you for questions or concerns.
How is SDAP different from Office of Disability Services or College STAR?
The Office of Disability Services (ODS) and College STAR provide learning support services for four year
degree-seeking students. These two services are separate entities and are not affiliated with SDAP.
Other Resources:
SDAP: Faculty Orientation Handout
2014-2015
1. SDAP Webpage:
2. WCU UP Program Instructor Presentation:
Nowwhat.pdf
3. Universal Design for Learning:
http://www.sdap.appstate.edu
http://www.wcu.edu/WebFiles/UP-facultyhttp://www.cast.org/udl/index.html
SDAP: Faculty Orientation Handout
2014-2015
SDAP Instructor FAQ’s
What is an Intellectual Disability (ID)?
Individuals with ID have significant limitations in intellectual functioning and adaptive behavior
(conceptual, social & practical skills). These limitations may be visible or invisible and vary widely
from individual to individual.
Will the Scholar in my class receive a letter grade for their performance?
Scholars are non-degree seeking students. In their two years at Appalachian they will only audit
courses. They receive a Collegiate Achievement Award, but successful completion of the program is not
dependent on grades or a GPA.
We provide them with a grade through an adapted syllabus that includes achievement reflected in
your feedback as well as their personal academic goals that may or may not be directly related to
content in your course, such as turning in assignments, paying attention and bringing materials to
class.
The Scholars appreciate your feedback and it allows them to aim towards improvement as with the
any student.
Will the Scholar in my class take exams, including final exams?
Taking exams is often not required because the Scholars audit courses. Depending on the needs of the
Scholar we may request to modify an exam or ask if they can take it separately with a support in our
office, similar to students who utilize ODS test taking services. However, this is up to your discretion.
Scholars may or may not take a final exam. You may suggest that they do so. Some Instructors allow
scholars to create presentations or other alternatives to a paper exam and our office can assist in that
modification.
Will the Scholar in my class get upset/discouraged if they receive a low grade on an
assessment?
They likely will be no more disappointed or upsest than your other students. Scholars desire and are
dependent on your feedback for improvement. While their assignments and assessments may be
modified from what the typical student is assigned, the program encourages them to achieve and the
Scholars are motivated by feedback for improvement.
What are some ways that assignments will be modified?
The goal is to maintain the learning objective, but in order for the Scholar’s to achieve the objectives
we alter the assignment in a way that they can best express what they have learned. Possibilities
include simpler rewording of directions and questions. Shortening assessments, reducing response
options, or allowing alternate mediums of expression such as presentations or artistic approaches.
Am I required to modify my curriculum or assignments for the Scholar?
No. Modification is your decision. The SDAP staff will modify the assignments at your discretion.
You are welcome to assist in the modification but we want to respect your time and responsibility to
SDAP: Faculty Orientation Handout
2014-2015
the other students while making the course content accessible to Scholars.
Will the Scholar in my class distract other students?
SDAP Scholars must adhere to the Code of Conduct just as their peers do. Similarly, Scholars are
responsible for following all rules and guidelines in your class. The natural support will assist in
mitigating problem behavior or redirect participants to their student responsibilities.
Will the Scholar get anything out of my class?
Absolutely! Scholars are eager to learn though you might find that their learning processes do not
match their peers. Scholars come to the SDA Program as young adults who are motivated to live and
work as independently as possible and they understand their classes play a role in their success. We
appreciate your role of support in this process for them.