Disability Support Services Frequently Asked Questions for Faculty
1. What do I do if a student tells me he or she has a disability? Students with disabilities must
be registered with the office of Disability Support Services in order to secure academic
accommodations. Any student who discloses a disability should be referred to Disability Support
Services located in DF Lowry, room 107, phone number (910) 521-6695.
2. Who determines academic accommodations for students with disabilities? Once students
have completed their intake packet, their file is reviewed by the Documentation Review
Committee (DRC). Through the deliberative process the DRC ascertains if the student qualifies
as a student with a disability and, if so, which accommodations the student qualifies for, based
upon their functional limitations.
3. How do I know a student is registered with Disability Support Services and is qualified
for accommodations? The student will first contact you for a confidential meeting. He or she
will bring a letter of accommodation on letterhead which will outline the accommodations.
Together you will discuss which accommodations he or she would like to implement in your
class and how the process will work. This will be noted on the contract. Never sign a blank
contract. Additional paperwork may include a note taker slip, a tape recording agreement and/or
test proctoring forms for those students who will test in the lab in Disability Support Services.
4. When must a student notify me of his or her accommodations? A student can implement
accommodations at any time during the semester. However, we recommend that the student do
so at the beginning of the semester to maximize their effectiveness. Accommodations begin
when you and the student fill out the contract and, therefore, are not retroactive.
5. The letter of accommodation states that the student needs a note taker; how does that
work? The student should have brought the letter of accommodation, a contract for your class
and a note taker slip. You keep the note taker slip and then read it to the class in the next class
meeting. Once a student raises his or her hand to volunteer to be a note taker, simply hand him or
her the slip. The volunteer will then come to Disability Support Services to fill out paperwork
and will learn how to use the copier and where to place the copied notes. The student with a
disability will come to the office to pick up the notes.
6. The letter of accommodation states that the student can tape record the class. Students
may not participate in class discussions if they know they are being recorded. The
qualifying student will bring a copy of a tape recording agreement signed in our office ensuring
that he or she will not share the recording with anyone. When commencing a class discussion in
which notes need not be taken, simply tell students to turn off their recording equipment (some
students could be recording with their cell phones or other equipment) and to put down their pens
for the duration of the discussion.
UNCP Disability Support Services FAQ for Faculty
January 25, 2013
7. The student and I agree that in order for the student to get his or her extended time, he
or she must test in the Disability Support Services lab. What is the process and how secure
is the testing environment? There is an Exam Proctoring Authorization Form which must be
completed and turned into the office of Disability Support Services prior to each test being taken.
There is an area on the form for you to check off any materials allowed in the testing room such
as notes or a textbook. Without this authorization students are not allowed to take personal items,
course materials, their own paper nor their own pen into the room. You will also indicate on the
form how you will send the test to our office and when you will pick up the test. Tests can be
hand delivered or emailed to the Accommodations Coordinator. The testing procedure follows
that of standardized testing and there are cameras in the room. Should an instance of cheating
occur, the proctor will end the test and contact the professor immediately. The proctor will then
write up the incident for the professor to use when utilizing the Honor Code policy.
8. I have a student who has “relaxed attendance” as an accommodation. What does this
mean? Contact the office of Disability Support Services to clarify what this means for your
class. The student may have to miss a class due to a disability-related issue but he or she must
still meet the competencies and requirements of your class. Contact the Office of Disability
Support Services to discuss how relaxed attendance will work with your curriculum requirements
and pedagogy.
9. Am I allowed to request documentation from the student or view the documentation on
file with Disability Support Services? No. Documentation is confidential and all records are
housed securely in the office of Disability Support Services.
10. Will I be asked to alter course standards for a student with a disability? Staff at
Disability Support Services will never ask you to lower your course standards nor compromise
an essential component of the curriculum for a student with a disability. Although you may be
asked to alter the format of materials in order to make the assignment or test accessible to the
student, students must be able to fulfill course standards.
11. What can I do if I think the accommodation alters course standards? As stated on the
letter of accommodation:
UNCP’s Documentation Review Committee (DRC) has met and determined this student is eligible
for the following accommodations under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans
with Disabilities Act Amendments Act. If an instructor determines any accommodation
compromises an essential component of his/her curriculum, and the instructor wishes to challenge
the accommodation, a letter must be submitted to the DRC justifying the request for release from
accommodations and sent directly to the Director of Disability Support Services. The DRC will
reconvene and communicate a written decision to the instructor.
UNCP Disability Support Services FAQ for Faculty
January 25, 2013
12. I have a student with a disability in class who is not handing in all of the work and the
work submitted is not up to standard. Can I fail a student under these circumstances?
Students with disabilities must produce work according to course standards. If the student is not
handing in work or is completing sub-standard work he or she has the same right to fail as any
other student.
13. I have a student who is disrupting my class. What can I do? Ultimately you can address
the behavior through the Student Code of Conduct, but before you reach that point, have a frank
discussion with your student in a confidential setting. Some disabilities are such that the
understanding of social nuances is impaired, therefore be direct and concrete in your
conversation. If you are not sure how to handle the situation or would like help with the student,
call Disability Support Services at (910) 521-6695.
UNCP Disability Support Services FAQ for Faculty
January 25, 2013