Shared Responsibilities
Responsibilities of the Student Disability Resource Center
When students request services from the Student Disability Resource Center, SDRC counselors have the responsibility for determining whether the students have disabilities impeding educational access. In making this determination, counselors conduct a comprehensive assessment and evaluation process that includes interviews with the students as well as a review of documentation provided by physicians and other clinicians (for example, clinical psychologists, audiologists, or optometrists). They identify the student's functional limitations imposed by the disability that interfere with the student's participation in class and access to academic programs and services.
When it has been determined that a student has a disability (or disabilities) impeding their educational access, SDRC counselors plan a program of accommodations/resources for them. Some students require program modifications: for example, a reduced courseload. Some students require auxiliary services: for example, classmate's notes or laboratory assistants. Many students require academic adjustments, or modifications in instructional methods: for example, Brailled or altenate format textbooks and class handouts, extended time for examinations, or substitution of an essay for an oral presentation. In combination, all of these services are often referred to as "academic accommodations " and may include the following:
- Adaptive Furniture
- Adaptive Equipment including: screen reader software, Braillers, visual enlarger, talking calculators, electronic spellers
- Alternate Media Assistive Technology
- Alternative Testing
- Classmate's notes
- Disability Management Counseling
- Mobility Orientation
- Parking Fee Waiver
- Referrals
- Sign Language Interpreter and Transcription Services
- Temporary Disabled Parking Permit
When an SDRC counselor determines that a student has a disability-related need for academic accommodations, the counselor completes a Determination of Accommodations form describing the necessary academic accommodations that may involve instructors or departments. The student is given a copy of this form to review with instructors. Whenever a professor can effectively provide the appropriate accommodations, this arrangement is encouraged. In situations where this provision is not possible, SDRC will work with the professor to identify alternatives and possibly provide the accommodation if given adequate notice.
Accommodations are not intended to give students with disabilities an unfair advantage, but to remove barriers that prevent them from learning and from demonstrating what they have learned. SDRC approves only those accommodations for which a student has a disability-related academic need.
Responsibilities of the Instructor
When a student gives you a Determination of Accommodations form from SDRC, you are responsible for providing the accommodations listed (for example, enlarging the print for all written materials for students with a visual impairment). In situations where it is difficult to provide the appropriate accommodations, SDRC is available for consultation about alternatives. You are not required to compromise the academic quality of your course by giving passing grades to students who have failed to demonstrate the required level of understanding or performance. Once you have provided the accommodations, you should grade the work of students with disabilities as you would grade the work of any others.
If you receive a Determination of Accommodations form and have difficulty providing the accommodations listed, or if you disagree with the accommodations, do not change the accommodations in any manner. Accommodations are designed to provide academic access to students with disabilities and are determined by an SDRC counselor and based on medical documentation and/or test results for a learning disability. Should you have any questions regarding the appropriateness and/or necessity of the accommodations, contact the SDRC counselor who signed the form by calling 510-885-3868 to discuss your concerns.
Confidentiality: students have the right to privacy in disability matters, and their confidentiality must be maintained. Disclosure of the student's disability can only be made by the student or with the student's permission. The student is not obligated to share a diagnosis, prognosis or any other details specific to his/her disabling condition with you, nor can you request any additional verification regarding the disability. If you are approached by a student who wants to discuss the accommodations listed on the Determination of Accommodations form, please be sensitive to the confidential nature of this information and arrange to meet with the student privately. Students are the experts on their own disabilities and will be able to explain how they learn best.
It is likely that there will be students in your classes whom you suspect may need special accommodations but who have not told you about their needs. If you approach these students, please be sensitive to the fact that they may either be reluctant to discuss their needs, or may have difficulty explaining them to you. If you feel unsure about how to address the subject with the students, please contact one of the SDRC counselors who would be happy to discuss this situation with you. SDRC cannot confirm or deny if students are registered with SDRC --- the student must disclose to you themselves.
Make your course "disability-friendly." It is helpful to announce the following at the beginning of the quarter: "Students who have Determination of Accommodations forms from the Student Disability Resource Center, please see me during my office hours." The SDRC would be happy to provide you with brochures that you can pass out to students. You should also include an announcement in your course syllabus welcoming students with disabilities and inviting them to visit you for a discussion of their disability-related academic needs. This announcement might read as follows:
If you need disability-related accommodations in this class, or if you have emergency medical information, or if you need special arrangements in case the building must be evacuated, please see me privately after class or at my office.
The Student Disability Resource Center (SDRC) is the campus office responsible for verifying that students have disability-related needs for academic accommodations, and for planning appropriate accommodations in cooperation with the students themselves and their instructors. SDRC is located in the Library Complex (LI 2400) where you can make an appointment, or call (510) 885-3868. At the Concord Campus, SDRC is located in the Academic Services Building (AS114), or call (925) 602-6719.
Responsibilities of the Student
Students have the responsibility for requesting SDRC services and providing documentation of the disabling conditions that may warrant academic accommodations. Once SDRC has determined that students have a disability-related need for academic accommodations, the students are given the Determination of Accommodations form that describes these accommodations.
SDRC emphasizes that students should show you their Determination of Accommodations form at the beginning of the quarter so you will have sufficient time to make the necessary arrangements. If you feel that you do not have sufficient time, please contact SDRC as soon as possible to discuss the situation and generate alternatives.
Students are not required to provide a copy of the Determination of Accommodations form for you to keep, only to show you as a way of requesting the accommodation. Often, more accommodations may be indicated on the form than are necessary for your particular class. We encourage you and the student to discuss when specific accommodations are needed for your class.
Occasionally a student may request accommodations without presenting you with a Determination of Accommodations form from SDRC. To protect yourself, the student, and the University, you should insist that the student contact SDRC to request an appropriate Determination of Accommodations form. Students normally receive these forms during their intake appointment with an SDRC counselor.
In general, students are not required to disclose the nature of their disability to instructors, but they must provide documentation of their disability to SDRC in order to receive accommodations. A reasonable time must be allowed to get the accommodations in place. SDRC policy asks students for 10 days (working) notice for services requested of our office.
Sometimes it is mid-quarter or later before students are diagnosed with disabilities and authorized for SDRC services. In this case, students cannot provide you with a Determination of Accommodation form early in the quarter, even though you may have invited them to do so in your syllabus. Meanwhile, please be as accommodating as you can until the student shows you the Determination of Accommodations.
