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DR 1001

Disability Resources Philosophy
Disability Resources (DR) recognizes disability as an aspect of diversity, and individuals with disabilities as an integral part of society. It is fitting that Disability Resources is located in UMD's Multicultural Center.

Disability Resources is committed to providing equal educational opportunites to all students by ensuring that University programs and activities are accessible. Additional DR objectives are to enhance academic achievement, create a sense of belonging, celebrate diversity, and foster positive relations among UMD students, faculty and staff.

DR believes that all UMD students are capable of conceiving and shaping their own future. To that end, the staff works cooperatively with students with disabilities as they develop the skills, knowledge, and beliefs needed to make thoughtful choices and become effective self-advocates. Our policies and procedures are designed to promote student self-determinination.

Confidentiality of all Disability Information
Disability Resources (DR) keeps all information about students confidential, as is required by law.  Except in specific, need-to-know situations, signed consent is required for release of disability-related information.

All disability information provided to faculty in the Letter of Accommodation or by the student, is for the purpose of arranging reasonable accommodations. Unless the student specifically requests it, no disability information may be shared with the class.

Role of Faculty
Faculty share the responsibility of making University courses and programs accessible to all qualified (admitted) students. When the student presents a Letter of Accommodation (LOA), the faculty member can be assured the student has a documented disability and has met with a DR specialist who has determined the accommodations in the letter to be appropriate.

1. Faculty should meet with students as early as possible in the semester to discuss requested accommodations, sign test accommodation request forms, and provide other needed support.

2. Faculty members are encouraged to contact the DR specialist with any concerns related to the accommodations in the LOA. They are also encouraged to make additional suggestions for providing access or accommodation in their classes.

3. Faculty members are responsible for making their courses accessible to all enrolled students, by either providing the accommodation themselves or in collaboration with DR.

4. Faculty may not refuse to provide required accommodations as long as the accommodation does not alter the fundamental nature of the course or program. Professors are never asked to lower academic standards or provide adjustments that are excessive or contradictory to stated course objectives.

6. Faculty may not examine the students' documentation or question whether the disability exists when accommodations have been authorized by the college.

7. If a student asks for disability accommodations but has no LOA, the faculty member should ask the student for it. If the student has not met with a DR specialist, please refer the student to DR.

Some Definitions

Accommodation: a modification or adjustment to a course, program, service, job, activity, or facility that enables a qualified student with a disability to enjoy the same the benefits, privileges, responsibilities, and consequences as a student without a disability

Appropriate accommodation: one that removes the specific barriers of a disability limitation as determined by the students' documented needs

Reasonable accommodation: one that does not compromise the essential elements of the course, program, service, job, activity, or facility

Common classroom accommodations: helping locate a peer note taker for their course, making exam adjustments such as additional time or a low distraction environment, working with an ASL interpreter, and/or providing captioned media.

Technological accommodations: converting a textbook into alternative media or installing assistive software at a computer lab. .

Role of Disability Resources
1. Collects and maintains disability-related documents
Student must provide documentation of a disability to qualify for accommodations.

2. Certifies Eligibility for Services
A student's disability documentation must be from an appropriate licensed professional who can verify the presence and impact of their disability. Students who report a disability, but do not have current documentation, may be provided provisional services for up to one semester while they obtain and submit documentation.

3. Determines Reasonable Accommodations
When your student hands you a Letter of Accommodation (LOA), a DR specialist has determined that the student qualifies for the accommodations outlined in the letter.

4. Communicates to the student the process of obtaining reasonable accommodations

5. Facilitates provision of some accommodations

Got suggestions? Need additional Information?
The disability specialists in the Office of Disability Resources invite your ideas, questions, and concerns as our partners in education. Contact us for additional suggestions for making UMD a welcoming learning environment for all students.