Frequently Asked Faculty/Staff Questions (FAQs) Regarding Student Disability Accommodations

Q: How will I know if a student in my class needs disability accommodations?

A: If a student in your class needs special accommodations or reasonable academic adjustments due to their disability, the Disability Services and Diversity Office will email you a Notification of Student Disability Accommodations Letter (Disability Accommodation Letter) at your okstate email address. The Disability Accommodation Letter will identify the accommodations that should be provided for that student. Students are also emailed copies of their Disability Accommodation Letters and are coached to contact their instructors to plan for their accommodations.  

Q: What kinds of accommodations are usually provided for students with disabilities?

A: The most commonly provided accommodations for students with disabilities are extra time to complete timed exams and quizzes, permission to audio record class lectures for note-taking purposes only, and reasonable flexibility in attendance policies and/or coursework due dates in case of a medical episode or to attend health care appointments related to their disability. Other accommodations may also be provided based on the functional impact of the student's disability and the essential learning requirements of the course or academic program they are enrolled in.

Q: Can I discuss a student’s accommodations with others?

A: Yes, but only in specific situations. If the student has not given consent, you may only discuss a student’s accommodations with other OSU-OKC school officials with legitimate educational interests in compliance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). A school official has a legitimate educational interest if knowledge of the student’s accommodations is needed in order for them to fulfill their professional responsibilities to OSU-OKC.

Q: The Disability Accommodation Letter asks for the student to receive extended time on exams and quizzes. How should I arrange that?

A: For exams or quizzes that are taken online, please adjust the student's time limit accordingly in the online learning system. For hardcopy/paper-and-pencil exams or quizzes, it is recommended that you have the student take it in the OSU-OKC Testing Center, located on the first floor of the Student Center building. Instructors can drop off their exams at the Testing and Assessment Center prior to the student's arrival.

Q: The Disability Accommodation Letter asks for the student to receive reasonable flexibility in attendance policies and coursework due dates in case of a medical episode. How can I accommodate this student while balancing the academic rigor of my course?

A: Please work with the student as much as possible while establishing a clear boundary of essential learning requirements in your course, and accommodate them without penalty as long as doing so does not interfere with essential learning requirements of your course. Please be aware that instructors are only required to offer the student one (1) single due date extension for each assignment, but are welcome to offer additional due date extensions or other make-up work opportunities for each assignment at their discretion. If a second due date extension is given, instructors may deduct points for late work at that time consistent with any point deductions for late work listed in the course syllabus.

Best practice:

• Review the syllabus with the student and provide clear guidance on which course timelines, components, exams/quizzes, and assignments can be considered for attendance flexibility or due date extension, and discuss your decision-making process with the student.

Q: It is the middle of the semester and I just received a Disability Accommodation Letter for a student. Do I need to go back and let the student redo all of their previous exams or assignments with the accommodations?

A: No. Disability accommodations are not retroactive and are only in effect from the date shown on the Disability Accommodation Letter through the end of the identified semester.

Q: One of my students is struggling in my course and I suspect they may have a disability. What should I do if I think a student might have a disability?

A: If you want to make sure a student is using all of the support resources available, start by asking the student what's holding them back from succeeding in the course. Please be aware that we should not ask the student directly if they have a disability, as that can be awkward for both the student and instructor and may even have legal repercussions. Instead, consider having an open-ended discussion with the student on what problems or barriers to success they are experiencing. If they mention that they have a learning, mental health, or medical disability, please refer them to the Disability Services and Diversity Office at (405) 945-3385 or okc.accessibility@okstate.edu if they would like to discuss disability accommodations in their courses.

Q: Who do I contact if I have questions or concerns about a student disability accommodation?

A: We've got you covered. Please contact the Disability Services and Diversity Office at (405) 945-3385 or okc.accessibility@okstate.edu and we will be glad to help!