REASONABLE REQUESTS
WHAT
IS A REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION?
A reasonable accommodation modifies the environment
(including policies and/or procedures) or a task in order to provide access
to a program or activity in the most equitable and feasible manner available.
In Section 504, these accommodations are also
referred to as auxiliary aids and academic adjustments.
An accommodation is designed to minimize the
effects of a disability so a qualified student can benefit or participate
in an activity to the fullest extent possible. Accommodations are determined
individually for each student and are to be appropriate to the specific limitation
caused by a disability.
A reasonable accommodations is not
required if such accommodation would significantly alter the essential or
fundamental objective of an academic program or class. Students are
responsible for requesting accommodations in a timely manner and must first
be recognized as eligible for the accommodation through Resources
for Disabled Students (RDS).
The term "reasonable"
as normally referenced is associated with the match of the nature and effectiveness
of the accommodation to the type of limitation presented by a particular disability.
In other words, is the accommodation "reasonable"
or appropriate for the student need and is it effective for the student?
When assessing an accommodation for cost, normally the term "undue burden"
will be applied. In many cases, the concept of "undue burden"
will be judged against the total university's resources and not necessarily
those of an individual unit. For questions related to the cost of accommodations,
please contact the Equal Opportunity
Office, 491-5836.
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WHEN
IS A REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION NEEDED?
Instructors are critical players in the provision
of reasonable accommodations. However, the responsibility for the initiation
of an accommodation begins with the student.
Before an accommodation is provided, students
should first be recognized by the university as eligible for accommodation. RDS
is the university unit responsible for verifying a student's eligibility.
Each accommodation determination is related to a student's particular disability
and other information including appropriate diagnostic information provided
by the student.
Students are responsible for notifying their
instructors of the need for an accommodation. At this time, they will provide
you with written verification from RDS of the
accommodations they are eligible to receive. If they do not have written
verification of their eligibility for an accommodation, it may be that the
student has not yet contacted RDS. In this event,
please refer the student to RDS so that their
needs can be assessed and accommodations recommended.
Students who have already been assessed by
RDS are advised to contact all their instructors
within the first few weeks of the semester to discuss their needs. Some students,
however, may come to you at any time during the semester. Depending upon
the situation, you may or may not be obligated to provide the accommodation
due to the timeliness of the request. Accommodations are not required after-the-fact;
in other words, a student is not entitled to a retro-active accommodation
or adjustment.
Each accommodation is determined individually
with each student. Accommodations are both disability and person-dependent.
Depending upon the individual need, reasonable accommodations may vary, even
for the same "type" of disability. Some appropriate accommodations can be
provided directly by an instructor. Other more specific accommodations are
coordinated through RDS.
Because accommodations are individual to a
particular student need, it is impossible to give an exhaustive list of all
accommodations. Some common accommodations have included requests for:
- extra
time or alternative environment for exams
- copies
of lecture notes and overheads
- reading
what is written on the board or on overheads
- speaking
slower for an interpreter to follow
- an
extension on deadlines for assignments
- using
a microphone for a close-circuit FM system
- adaptive
computer programs/equipment
- an
alternative method of testing mastery of material
There may be some students who will not realize
they need an accommodation until immediately before or after the first exam.
This situation may make it more difficult to determine the most appropriate
accommodation depending upon the timing of the request, the disability, and
the need of the student. While you may still have an obligation to try to
work out a reasonable arrangement with the student, it may not be necessary
to provide exactly what is requested, especially if it is after-the-fact.
Contact RDS personnel (491-6385) for further
clarification if you encounter this type of situation.
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| Equal Opportunity
Resources for Disabled Students
100 General Services
Colorado State University, Fort
Collins, CO 80523 USA (970) 491-6385
