ADA and Other Compliance Issues
ADA Organizational Structure

ADA Compliance Office: Dr. Watson Harris

Disability and Access Center (DAC) for student accommodations: Dr. Lance Alexis

Human Resources Services (HRS) for employee accommodations: Kathy Musselman

Institutional Equity and Compliance (IE&C) for harassment and discrimination
complaints: Dr. Marian Wilson

University Counsel: Heidi Zimmerman
Only Human Resources Services and the Disability and Access
Center determine ADA accommodations.
The department/faculty never determines accommodations!!!
Statement for Syllabus
Faculty should use the following statement in their syllabus.
Reasonable Accommodations for Students with Disabilities: Middle Tennessee State
University is committed to campus access in accordance with Title II of the Americans with
Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Vocational Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Any student
interested in reasonable accommodations can consult the Disability & Access Center (DAC)
website www.mtsu.edu/dac and/or contact the DAC for assistance at 615-898-2783 or
dacemail@mtsu.edu.
Procedures for students to request accommodations
In order to assist faculty and students, MTSU has established procedures for students to
request accommodations based on disability. The process is designed to minimize the
impact upon faculty members and maintain privacy rights of the student, while providing
the necessary accommodations for the student.

Any student requesting services as a result of a disability should be referred to DAC.

Once referred, the DAC Director will work with that student to identify appropriate
accommodations.

Once the accommodations have been identified, that student should make an
appointment with each instructor during office hours and provide the letter from the
DAC detailing the approved accommodations.

Upon receipt of the letter, each faculty member is responsible for reviewing the
information in the letter. Should faculty members have concerns about the information
contained in the letter, they should immediately contact the Director of Disability
and Access Center. All questions are to be directed to the Director and not to the
student. Until the director is contacted, DAC assumes there are no questions with a
student’s accommodation package.
Other faculty requirements:

All instructional materials should be accessible. The Faculty Instructional Technology
Center can assist in making materials accessible.

Faculty requested classroom changes after registration begins must be approved
through ADA.
Additional resources:

DAC website: http://www.mtsu.edu/dac

Adaptive Technology Center - http://www.mtsu.edu/dssemail/adatech.php

Learning, Teaching, and Innovative Technologies Center ADA Resources http://www.mtsu.edu/ltanditc/Pages/Resource_pages/ADA_Resources.php

Faculty Instructional Technology Resources: http://www.mtsu.edu/itdacad/itres/index.php

Institutional Equity and Compliance website: http://www.mtsu.edu/iec/index.php
Environmental health and safety strategies

Doug Brinsko is the University contact—494-7725
o http://www.mtsu.edu/ehs/

Avoid extension cords across a walkway.

Use just-in-time chemical purchases.

Purchase student safe equipment.

Include safety information in your syllabi.

Take the online safety training annually - https://etc-trainingsite.com/mtsu/

Safety video - http://avs.mtsu.edu/video/environmental-health-safety-promo-video
Security strategies

Store valuables out of site or at home. State deductible is $25,000, but does not cover
personal items.

Lock classrooms after use. Classrooms have several types of access, including key,
combination, Learn Lock, and Card Swipe Access http://www.mtsu.edu/usm/forms/CardSwipe2012.pdf. To obtain access through any
of these systems, the first contact would be your department. The department staff can
review the type of lock through http://www.mtsu.edu/webviewer - click on the
classroom number and look for the room access. A key card must be completed to
obtain a key to a space. Combination lock and Learn Lock access must be coordinated
through the first priority department. Card swipe access requires your department
send an email to the key shop with the faculty member's M# number. Additional
information: http://www.mtsu.edu/provost/fac_handbook/classrooms.php

Safeguard personal information. Use M numbers to identify individuals.
Information security policy website: http://www.mtsu.edu/itdacad/security/
Emergency strategies

Emergency numbers: 911 or 2424 and give your exact location
o MTSU Police Department 615-898-2424
o http://police.mtsu.edu/

Emergency Contact Number Handout http://www.mtsu.edu/provost/docs/emergency.pdf

Review MTSU’s Alert4U website http://www.mtsu.edu/alert4u

Determine the safety features of your location http://www.mtsu.edu/webviewer

Consider appropriate strategy for the emergency.
Fire and bomb threat—call 911 and evacuate
Shooter in the building—1) Escape 2)Hide/Shelter 3)Fight Back
Tornado—shelter in safe places

Do the Drill—Participation is required. Remember some of
your students may be disabled.

Keep your cell phone handy and register for RAVE Alerts. Have ways to contact your
students in the case of an emergency.

Review the student conduct training module and contact Counseling Services if you have a
question. Website: http://www.mtsu.edu/countest/tutorial/
Be safe and secure!!