Office of Specialized Services
è	Frequently Asked Questions Audience:     Faculty & Staff

Click on one of the following links to access the content.

1.  What if a student approaches me requesting an accommodation but I have not received notification from the Office of Specialized Services (OSS)?

2. What is my role in accommodating a student?

3. How can I determine if a particular accommodation is appropriate for my class?

4. What is assistive technology and what type of student might benefit from it?

5. Why do students with disabilities often need testing accommodations?

6. Why am I not permitted to see a student's disability documentation?

7. Can I tell the other faculty members about a student and look to them for suggestions?

8. How can I learn more about disabilities in general or particular disabilities?

9. Is it fair to provide testing accommodations to some students but not to others?

10. Do I have to write a different exam for a student with a disability who will take the exam at a different time from the rest of the class?

11. When we provide these accommodations, are we preparing students with disabilities for the real world where they have to meet deadlines and write report in a hurry?

12. Are students required to provide copies of disability documentation or identify their disability to faculty or staff?

 

13. What can I do if I suspect that a student in my class might have a disability?

 

14. What do I do about a student with a disability who is threatening, misbehaving or rude?

 

15. I am an employee of Bergen Community College. Can you assist me with getting accommodations from my department?

1. What if a student approaches me requesting an accommodation but I have not received notification from the Office of Specialized Services?

You are under no obligation to provide an accommodation for a student who has not identified herself/himself and provided acceptable documentation through appropriate channels. Please refer the student to the Office of Specialized Services.

2. What is my role in accommodating a student?

You are responsible for providing the recommended accommodations as described on the accommodation form issued by the OSS to ensure equal access to the classroom information and course content while still holding the students with disabilities to the same academic standard as other students.

Back to Top

3. How can I determine if a particular accommodation is appropriate for my class?

It is the responsibility of the Office of Specialized Services (OSS) to determine appropriate accommodations in accordance with the student's documented disability. The OSS staff welcome any consultation if you have questions/concerns about accommodations and how to implement them.

Back to Top

4. What is assistive technology and what type of student might benefit from it?

Assistive technology is “any item, piece of equipment, or system, whether acquired commercially, modified, or customized, that is commonly used to increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities.”(Electronic and Information Technology Accessibility Standards (Section 508), § 1194.4 Definitions.)

For example:

-        Students with hearing loss might need the use of assistive listening devices, FM system, or text telephone (TTY);

-        Students with limited hand function may need a keyboard with large keys or a trackball mouse to operate a computer

-        Students in wheelchairs might need the use of an accessible workstation

-        Students with low vision may access the content of a computer thanks to software that reads text on the screen in a computer-generated voice or they may need to use screen magnifiers to enlarge the content.

-        Students with speech impairments may use a device that speaks out loud as they enter text via a keyboard.

Back to Top

5. Why do students with disabilities often need testing accommodations?

Testing accommodations, such as extended time, large print format, use of computer to type the exam, use of a magnifier CCTV to complete the exam… are intended to remove barriers that a test might present to the student with disabilities. Those accommodations are designed to give the student equal access to the assessment tools used by the professors. They are not intended to alter the content of the exam nor what a student is required to demonstrate on the test or exam.

Back to Top

6. Why am I not permitted to see a student's disability documentation?

A student’s right to privacy and confidentiality regarding information about his/her disability is protected under the American Disability Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. The student’s confidential information can only be shared if the student gives written permission – in the form of a signed release of information. All students, however, are encouraged to share the information regarding their disability with faculty members.

Back to Top

7. Can I tell other faculty members about a student and look to them for suggestions?

We strongly encourage the sharing of general strategies and techniques which might help students with disabilities while also benefiting the entire class (Universal Design for Learning) amongst colleagues. However, specific information about a student’s disability is confidential and cannot be shared without a student’s written permission. General information about disabilities, relevant academic adjustments, and classroom strategies can be shared, and issues can be discussed provided the student’s anonymity is absolutely protected. Otherwise, it is recommended to refer to the Office of Specialized Services for assistance.

Back to Top

8. How can I learn more about disabilities in general or particular disabilities?

The Office of Specialized Services welcomes the opportunity to offer workshops on general or specific disabilities, classroom strategies, accommodations… to faculty and staff. Feel free to contact the Office of Specialized Services to arrange such a presentation. The Office of Specialized Services also provides valuable resources on disabilities and accommodations on our web page: <http://www.bergen.edu/pages/780.asp>

Back to Top

9. Is it fair to provide testing accommodations to some students but not to others?

Some states, such as Colorado, Kansas, and Rhode Island, have decided to extend availability of most accommodations to all students, not just those with disabilities. In complying with accommodations recommendations, you are providing equal access to classroom information and tests to all students, thus, ensuring that the test is not just measuring the effects of disability, but the student’s skills. This is called “Universal Design”.

Back to Top

10. Do I have to write a different exam for a student with disability who will take the exam at different time from the rest of the class. 

The choice is left to the professor. If the exam is given close to the time the rest of the class is taking the exam, there may be no need to give a different exam.

Back to Top

11. When we provide these accommodations, are we preparing students with disabilities for the real world where they have to meet the deadlines and write reports in hurry?

Under the American with Disabilities Act (ADA), employers are required to make the workplace accessible and provide accommodations. All public and private businesses must comply with ADA and provide reasonable accommodations. These accommodations are pertinent to all kinds of certifying and licensing examinations, including employment entrance tests, promotion exams, etc.

Back to Top

12. Are students required to provide copies of disability documentation or identify their disability to faculty or staff?

It is the student’s decision to discuss disability information with a faculty member. Student disability documentation is treated as privileged information and kept confidential in the Office of Specialized Services; they should not be asked to provide copies of their disability documentation to staff and faculty.

Back to Top

13. What can I do if I suspect that a student in my class might have a disability?

You have encouraged student awareness if you have provided information about the existence and location of the Office of Specialized Services on your syllabus. Otherwise, please privately talk to the student about your concern regarding his or her performance; the best time for you to address this issue is either before or after class, or preferably during your office hours. Only the student can decide to disclose his/her disability or decide to pursue information about available accommodations.

Back to Top

14. How do I do about a student with disability who is threatening, misbehaving or rude?

All Bergen Community College (BCC)'s students are expected to abide by the College Code of conduct. Misbehavior, threats… are not excused on the basis of disability. You will find BCC’s policies and procedures relating to student’s behavior in the Student Handbook and the College Catalog. It is advised you follow regular procedure for disruptive behavior, including contacting the Department of Public Safety, when needed.

Back to Top

15. I am an employee of Bergen Community College. Can you assist me with getting accommodations from my department?

The Office of Specialized Services provides accommodations to students deemed eligible based on the content of submitted disability documentations. The staff and faculty members are encouraged to contact their respective department for accommodations. The departments are welcome to seek advice relating to reasonable accommodations from the Office of Specialized Services. Any compliance matter should be addressed to the Manager of Training and Compliance, Office of the Executive Vice President, Room A-330, telephone: (201) 612-5331, who has been designated to coordinate section 504/ADA compliance efforts.

Back to Top

E

Back to all FAQs

E

_____________________
page last edited October 2007.