RIT Resources for New Faculty
DISABILITY SERVICES OFFICE
Some students with disabilities use "academic accommodations" in order to equally access the academic information presented and/or produce evidence of learning or competence in their academic programs. It is often said that the use of accommodations "levels the playing field" for students with disabilities.
A "Disability Services Agreement" (DSA) letter is a list of recommended academic accommodations developed by the Disability Services Director for each student who has been offered academic accommodations. Students must present this letter to their faculty as a means of verifying that they have worked with the Disability Services Office and are recognized by RIT as a student with a disability who requires accommodation.
If a student requests accommodations from a faculty but does not produce a "Disability Services Agreement", faculty should encourage the student to contact the Disability Services Office. Faculty are requested to not exempt the student from going through the proper procedures by making individual arrangements with students.
Faculty are expected to work with the student to determine how to put the listed accommodations into practice. Faculty are requested to:
- Read the DSA; accommodations and procedures are listed and explained.
- Have a conversation with the student about how to put the listed accommodations into practice. Ideally, this is student initiated. Students may not be comfortable discussing their accommodations in front of others; offer to speak with them privately or during office hours.
- Respect students' desire to keep their disability information confidential.
- Know that faculty are only obligated to provide the accommodations that are listed.
- Contact Susan Ackerman, Disability Services Director, for more information
- Visit the Web site at www.rit.edu/dso for more information
| Contact Person: | Susan Ackerman |
| Telephone: | (585) 475-6988 (585) 475-2023 |
| Fax: | (585) 475-2215 |
| Location: | Student Alumni Union Room 1150Campus Map |
| Email: | smacst@rit.edu |
| Website: | http://www.rit.edu/dso |