Working with Disability Services

The Weingarten Center works closely with faculty and campus partners to provide services for students who self-identify with a disability in order to ensure equal access to all University programs, activities, and services. We encourage all course instructors to review Roles and Responsibilities, Academic Accommodations FAQs, Most Common Academic Accommodations, and Using the MyWeingartenCenter Faculty Portal. Please contact Disability Services with any questions.

Roles and Responsibilities

Students

  • Request accommodations through Disability Services
  • Provide documentation from a professional to support the request
  • Send a Semester Request to notify faculty each semester through MyWeingartenCenter
  • Meet with professors during office hours to discuss how accommodations will be handled in each class
  • Schedule accommodated tests at least 8 days prior to the scheduled exam date when testing through the Weingarten Center

Disability Services

  • Publish clear procedures for requesting and using accommodations
  • Review all requests for accommodations in a timely manner
  • Meet with students to discuss approved accommodations and how to use them
  • Respond to calls and emails in a timely manner
  • Recruit and hire note takers when applicable
  • Provide an accommodated test-taking experience equivalent to the classroom testing experience

Course Instructors

  • Include a statement in the syllabus about how to access Disability Services
  • Read and sign accommodations letters in MyWeingartenCenter
  • Meet with students to discuss how accommodations will be handled in your class
  • Contact Disability Services with any questions or concerns about approved accommodations
  • Review all test booking appointments to ensure accuracy of information
  • Provide instructions on test administration and upload exam copy in a timely manner

Academic Accommodations FAQs

Please contact Disability Services if you have questions about a student’s accommodations or if you have difficulty addressing a student’s accommodations.

Most Common Academic Accommodations

Testing

Extended time: Additional time beyond the standard exam administration time. Usually calculated as 50% extended time (time-and-a-half) or 100% extended time (double time).

Distraction-reduced location: A quiet setting in a small group away from the classroom.

Private room: An individual test setting for one student alone.

Use of a computer: Student may use a computer without internet to type responses to short answer and essay questions.

Note-Taking

Copy of class notes: Disability Services will recruit a student in the class to share a copy of their notes with the student who has this accommodation. The process protects the confidentiality of both parties. Course instructors can view the notes in the MyWeingartenCenter portal.

Use of electronic device in class: Student may use an electronic device to take notes in class or to access electronic course materials during class meetings.

Audio recording lectures: Student will make an audio recording of the lecture to use solely for personal study. Recordings will not be shared or posted. Students must review and sign the Recording Class Lectures Agreement Form and submit it to their Disability Specialist.

Other Classroom Accommodations

Modification of attendance policy: Student has a condition that may impact class attendance. Student is responsible for notifying course instructor of disability-related absences and making up missed work. If absences become excessive or threaten the student’s ability to complete fulfill course requirements, course instructor should notify Disability Services and the academic advising unit.

Extensions of assignment deadlines: Student may need occasional brief extensions of assignment deadlines due to flare ups of an unpredictable chronic condition. Student is responsible for notifying course instructors of the need for a disability-related extension. Course instructors may contact Disability Services to resolve questions about a reasonable amount of time for an extension.

Accessible Course Materials

Textbooks in alternate format: Disability Services will procure or produce an accessible electronic version of course textbooks.

Accessible course materials: Disability Services will assist course instructors in locating or producing accessible electronic versions of other course materials.

Live transcription (CART) services: Disability Services will contract an external services provider for live transcription of class meetings.

Captioned multimedia: Course instructors must ensure that multimedia used for the course is captioned. Instructional IT and ISC have resources to assist in captioning multimedia if necessary.

Please contact Disability Services if you have questions about a student’s accommodations or if you have difficulty addressing a student’s accommodations.

Using the MyWeingartenCenter Faculty Portal

Please contact Disability Services if you have questions about a student’s accommodations or if you have difficulty addressing a student’s accommodations.

Review a Student's Exam Reservation

Provide Instructions and Upload Exam

Retrieve Completed Exams