Office of the ADA
Coordinator: FAQs
Workplace
FAQs for Faculty, Staff, & Student Workers
Academic FAQs for Faculty
FAQs for Students
FAQs for Parents and Community Members
Contact the ADA Coordinator
Workplace FAQs for Faculty, Staff, & Student Workers
I am a faculty
member, staff member, or student worker and have been diagnosed with a
disability. Do I have to tell my supervisor or the University?
No, you do not have to disclose a disability if it does not interfere with your
ability to perform your responsibilities or require an accommodation. If your
condition worsens, you can reserve the right to notify the University at that
time. However, if you choose not to disclose your condition, the University will
not be aware of any possible accommodations needed.
I am a faculty
member, staff member, or student worker who needs a disability-related
accommodation to do my job. Whom do I contact to request the accommodation?
Faculty
members, staff members, and student workers are encouraged to begin the accommodation
process by communicating their needs directly to their immediate supervisors. In
responding to your request, the supervisor will discuss your needs with you and
will review your job description and the operational needs of your department.
In most cases, this simple process will meet your accommodation needs in a
timely manner. If you and your supervisor are unable to come to an agreement, or
if your accommodation needs are complex, either party can contact Human
Resources for assistance. You can also contact Human Resources if you are
uncomfortable approaching your supervisor at any point in the accommodation
process. For further information on this process read the
Faculty, Staff, &
Student Worker Accommodation Request Process.
I am a faculty
member, staff member, or student worker who has requested a disability-related
accommodation. Must I provide medical documentation to support my request?
As is the University’s right under the ADA, in some cases you may be asked to
provide documentation from a medical professional to confirm your accommodation
need. This generally occurs when an accommodation need is not readily apparent
or if the need is complex. In some cases, documentation will help us in
identifying possible accommodations for your specific situation. Any records
that you do provide will be requested and managed by Human Resources and will be
treated confidentially.
I am a faculty
member, staff member, or student worker with a disability who is not currently
receiving accommodations. Before I talk to my supervisor, I would like some
information about my rights and about accommodations. Whom do I contact?
For general information about your rights as a person with a disability, you can
contact the ADA Coordinator at 812-465-7101 or drgoeppner@usi.edu. The ADA
Coordinator can also offer general suggestions on accommodations. However, for
guidance on accommodations that specifically meet your needs, you are also
encouraged to consult with your medical professionals.
I am a faculty
member, staff member, or student worker with a disability who believes that I
am not being appropriately treated or accommodated by my supervisor. Whom do I
contact?
Whenever possible, faculty
members, staff members, and student workers are encouraged to try
resolving these issues by following the natural chain of command in their
respective departments. For example, if you have an issue with your immediate
supervisor, start by reporting your concern to their supervisor. If this is
unsuccessful, continue to move up the chain until a resolution is reached. In
the majority of cases, this will be the most efficient method of resolving such
concerns. However, if you are uncomfortable with this process or are unable to
reach a resolution following the chain of command, at any time you can contact
the Director or Assistant Director of Human Resources at 812-464-1770 for assistance.
I am faculty
member, staff member, or student worker with a disability who has been
receiving a workplace accommodation. However, my condition has changed and I
need different or additional accommodations in order to perform my
responsibilities. What do I do?
If at any time your accommodations are not working, you should
contact your supervisor for a re-evaluation of your accommodation needs.
Depending on your circumstances, this may require a referral to the Director or
Assistant Director of Human Resources and you may be asked to provide further
documentation to support your need for different or additional accommodations.
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Academic FAQs for Faculty
I have questions/concerns about my obligations towards a student with a
disability. What do I do?
In most cases, faculty obligations regarding a specific student are clearly
described in the accommodation memo or letter that faculty receive from the
student or the Counseling Center. Further clarification can often be obtained by
privately discussing the accommodation(s) directly with the student. However, if
these steps do not fully answer your question or concern, you can contact the
Counseling Center at 812-464-1961. You can also access helpful information
online starting at the
Counseling Center homepage. If these resources do not
fully answer your question, you can also contact the ADA Coordinator at
812-465-7101 or drgoeppner@usi.edu.
Depending on the circumstances and nature of the issue, consultation with both
the Counseling Center and the ADA Coordinator may be recommended.
What accommodations might I be required to provide?
Keep in mind that every student is unique
and that the quantity
and type of academic accommodations will vary from student to student. However,
the following non-exhaustive list provides examples of some of the more common
types
of accommodations that you may be required to provide to your students with
disabilities:
-
Test accommodations: double time testing, minimized distractions, reader,
scribe, use of a calculator for math, use of a computer with spell check for
essays
-
Large print or otherwise accessible syllabi, handouts, quizzes and tests
-
Allowance to tape record lectures
-
Allowances for lip reading -
e.g., by facing the student when speaking
-
Flexibility with coursework deadlines
-
Modification of attendance policies/attendance flexibility
-
Preferential seating
-
Physically-accessible classroom; elevator access; accessible classroom
technology
-
Copies of class notes
I have a student in my class whom I believe has a disability that requires an
accommodation. What do I do?
While taking care not to directly confront a student about the existence of a
suspected disability, discretely meet with him or her to discuss the specific
behaviors that you have noted in your class (e.g., poor attendance, difficulty
completing exams/assignments on time, very poor grades, etc.). As part of that
discussion, it would be appropriate to encourage the student to pursue available
campus resources, such as the Counseling Center that may be of help in addressing the issues that you have
observed. Keep in mind, however, that the
accommodation process is voluntary and that a student cannot be forced into
requesting or accepting accommodations.
I have a student in my class who is requesting accommodations, but
he/she has not
registered with the Counseling Center. What do I do?
If a student with a disability makes an accommodation request
under these circumstances, you should require the student to follow the
University’s established procedures for requesting accommodations. By asking the
student to register in the Counseling Center, you will receive guidance and
resources for providing the most appropriate accommodations for this student’s
situation.
A student with a disability is not following through with his/her accommodations
or is asking for accommodations that do not appear to have been approved by the
Counseling Center. What do I do?
If you have concerns about a student who does not appear to be following through
with his/her accommodations as approved by the Counseling Center, you are
encouraged to first try to privately address those concerns directly with the
student. If this process does not resolve the issue, you can contact either the
Counseling Center (812-464-1961) or the ADA Coordinator (812-465-7101 or
drgoeppner@usi.edu). Depending on the
circumstances and nature of the issue, consultation with both the Counseling
Center and the ADA Coordinator may be recommended.
A student with a disability approaches
me several weeks into the semester, provides me with a letter from the
Counseling Center, and requests an accommodation. My syllabus states that
students with disabilities must notify me of their need for accommodations by
the end of the first week of classes (or some other time limitation). Am I still
obligated to accommodate this student?
Yes. No matter when you receive an accommodation letter
during a semester, you must provide
accommodations to qualified students with disabilities from the “date of notification”
(the date you received the letter) until the end of that semester. However,
except in very rare situations accommodations are not required
to be provided retroactively. For example, students cannot ask for
accommodations or "do-overs" on assignments or tests that occurred before you
received the notice of their need for accommodations. In the unlikely event that
an accommodation is required to be provided retroactively, you will be notified
directly by the Counseling Center or by the ADA Coordinator.
A student with a disability is causing a disruption or has otherwise become a
behavioral concern in my class. What do I do?
The proper response to these situations depends upon the specific nature and
severity of the disruption or behavior. While due consideration must always be
given to a student’s disability, the University does have the right to require
students with disabilities to meet the same standards of student conduct as
students without disabilities. In most cases, faculty may take the same measures
that they take in response to all students in their class who are disruptive or
who otherwise exhibit inappropriate behaviors in a classroom setting. In some
cases, a referral to your department chair, college dean, and/or the dean of
students will be the most appropriate response. In extreme situations that
involve an apparent threat to the health and safety of the student or others,
USI Security should be contacted immediately at USI internal telephone extension
7777 or 812-492-7777. If you are unsure or uncomfortable regarding the
appropriate response to these types of situations, you can contact either the
Counseling Center (812-464-1961) or the ADA Coordinator (812-465-7101 or
drgoeppner@usi.edu).
Depending on the circumstances and nature of the issue, consultation with both
the Counseling Center and the ADA Coordinator may be recommended. Faculty are also encouraged to review a copy of the
Counseling Center's
Decision-Making Guide for Assisting Distressed Students.
I don’t have any specific ADA issues now, but I would be interested in learning
more about my obligations under the ADA. Are any resources available to me?
Yes, there are several ways for you to access information. Regardless of whether
or not you are dealing with a specific issue, you can feel free to contact
either the Counseling Center (812-464-1961) or the ADA Coordinator (812-465-7101
or drgoeppner@usi.edu) at any time with
your ADA/accommodation questions. You will also find links to helpful
faculty-oriented information at:
http://www.usi.edu/counselingcenter/facultystaff.aspx.
For deans and
department chairs: The ADA Coordinator is also available to speak to your
department regarding the ADA and the accommodation process at USI. For more
information contact the ADA Coordinator at 812-465-7101 or
drgoeppner@usi.edu.
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FAQs for Students
I need information on such topics as what accommodations are available
and on how or if I
qualify as a student with a disability. I am also unsure of how the Americans
with Disabilities Act (ADA) applies to me. Where do I start?
You will find answers to the majority of your general questions about USI's
student accommodation process in the the Counseling Center's
Student Guide for Disability Resources. If you have additional questions
about your specific needs and circumstances, you can directly contact the
Counseling Center; which is located in room 1051 of the Orr Center and can be
reached at 812-464-1961. For questions about your rights under the ADA or other
disabilty rights laws, you can contact the ADA Coordinator at 812-465-7101 or
drgoeppner@usi.edu.
I am a student who needs disability-related academic accommodations. Whom do I
contact to request the accommodation?
In order to receive the specific academic accommodations for which students with
disabilities are eligible, they must follow the University’s established
procedures for requesting accommodations. This involves providing professional
documentation of a disability to the Counseling Center and receiving approval
for specific accommodations. Students can begin this process at any time during
the year, but are encouraged to register at least 60 days prior to the date that
services are needed to help ensure that accommodations will be available. More
information about the academic accommodation process and the Counseling Center
can be accessed online at
www.usi.edu/counselingcenter/. The Counseling Center is located in room 1051
of the Orr Center, and can be reached at 812-464-1961.
I am a student with a disability who had an Individualized Education Plan (IEP)
when I was in high school. Will the University provide me with an IEP and will I
receive the same accommodations I was provided in high school?
No, you will not be provided with an IEP because such plans are only mandated by
the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), a law that is no longer
applicable once you enter college. You also may or may not be approved to
receive the same accommodations you received in high school. In high school, you
may have had access to all the accommodations that were available at your high
school. At the college level, you will be approved for the specific
accommodations you need based on the symptoms of your disability that interfere
with your ability to fully participate in class.
I am a student with a disability who has not received the academic
accommodations that I need. What should I do?
If you have not yet followed the University’s established process for
registering for accommodations, you must do so in order to receive
accommodations. However, if you have gone through that process and are having
problems receiving accommodations in a class, you are encouraged to first take
your concerns to that faculty member and/or the Counseling Center (812-464-1961). In most cases, this
process will provide the quickest successful resolution to your issue. If this
informal process is unsuccessful or if you are uncomfortable approaching the
faculty or staff in the Counseling Center, you may contact the ADA Coordinator
at 812-465-7101 or drgoeppner@usi.edu
for assistance.
I am a student with a disability and submitted my professional documentation to
the Counseling Center, but was not approved for accommodations. What should I
do?
You are encouraged to take your concerns to the Counseling Center (812-464-1961) for an
explanation of the reasons why your request for specific accommodations was not
approved. If your documentation was too old or if it did not provide enough
information about your disability for an eligibility decision to be made, you
may be asked to provide additional or updated documentation. If you feel
uncomfortable approaching the staff in the Counseling Center, you may contact
the ADA Coordinator at 812-465-7101 or
drgoeppner@usi.edu for assistance.
I am a student with a disability who is registered with the Counseling Center
and who is receiving academic accommodations. However, my condition has changed
and I need different or additional accommodations. What do I do?
If at any time your accommodations are not working, you should contact the
Counseling Center (812-464-1961) for re-evaluation. Depending on your circumstances, you may
need to provide further documentation to support your need for different or
additional accommodations.
Is the accommodation process the same for non-academic activities such as
extra-curricular activities or USI-sponsored public events?
No. The
Counseling Center only approves accommodations for USI’s academic programs and
services, and those accommodations do not automatically carry over to
non-academic activities. However, students with disabilities have the right to
request reasonable accommodations for such activities, and each department is
responsible for the accessibility of any non-academic events or extra-curricular
activities that it sponsors or conducts. The majority of USI-sponsored
activities include an “accommodation statement” within the event or activity’s
promotional materials (e.g., brochures, invitations, websites, etc.) that tells
participants where to direct requests or questions about accommodations for that
event. If you are unable to find such a statement, directly contact the
department that is sponsoring/conducting the event or extra-curricular activity.
If you are unable to determine which department is sponsoring a specific event
or extra-curricular activity, contact the ADA Coordinator at 812-465-7101 or
drgoeppner@usi.edu for assistance in locating where to direct your request for
accommodations.
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FAQs for Parents and Community Members
I am a parent of a USI student with a
disability. If I have questions or concerns about their experience at USI, whom
do I contact?
This depends on the nature of your question or concern. If your question is
directly related to your student's accommodations or to the university's
accommodation process, contact the Counseling Center at 812-464-1961. You can also access helpful information
online by following the links found on the
Counseling Center
homepage. If the Counseling Center is unable to answer your questions
or you have general questions about your student’s rights under the ADA and
Section 504, you can also contact the ADA Coordinator at 812-465-7101 or
drgoeppner@usi.edu.
Depending on the circumstances and nature of the issue, consultation with both
the Counseling Center and the ADA Coordinator may be recommended. Please
remember: as an adult, your student’s information is protected by the Family
Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and by state and federal
confidentiality laws. As a result, representatives of the University cannot
directly provide or discuss any information regarding your student’s experiences
at USI without your student’s prior authorization. However, no such
authorization is needed for you to obtain general information about the ADA,
Section 504, or the University’s disability accommodation process.
I am a community member with a disability
who will be participating in a USI-sponsored public event either on or off
campus. Whom do I contact about any accommodations that I may need?
Each University department is
responsible for the accessibility of any events that it sponsors or conducts.
The majority of USI-sponsored activities include an “accommodation statement”
within the event or activity’s promotional materials (e.g., brochures,
invitations, websites, etc.) that directs participants on where to direct
requests or questions about accommodations for that event. If you are unable to
find such a statement, directly contact the University department that is
sponsoring/conducting the event or extra-curricular activity. If you are unable
to determine which department is sponsoring a specific event or extra-curricular
activity, contact the ADA Coordinator at 812-465-7101 or
drgoeppner@usi.edu for assistance in
locating where to direct your request for accommodations.
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Contact the ADA Coordinator
If you do not see the answer to your question in the FAQs, or if you need
additional information related to the ADA or other disability issues, please
contact Doug Goeppner at 812-465-7101 or
drgoeppner@usi.edu.
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