|accommodation letters| |testing accommodations||alternate text| |interpreters&captioners| |note takers| |physical accommodation||adaptive equipment|

Introduction

Northwestern University and Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) are committed to providing a supportive and challenging environment for students with disabilities who choose to attend the University. Additionally, the University works to provide all students with disabilities a learning environment that affords them equal access and reasonable accommodation of their disabilities.

This guide was created as a resource for faculty and provides general information about accommodating students with disabilities. Accommodations are determined on a case-by-case basis. Please contact SSD at 467-5530 or ssd@northwestern.edu with specific questions.

Accommodation Letters to Faculty

Students requesting any academic accommodations in the classroom must provide a letter to each of their instructors, which is prepared by SSD verifying the appropriate academic accommodations and the need for such accommodations. Students must contact each of their professors to deliver letters and discuss the accommodations that will be necessary in each specific class. If the professor has additional questions, he/she may contact the SSD office for clarification or assistance, though the details of a student's disabling condition will not be discussed without the student's permission.

Testing Accommodations

A student requesting testing accommodations should meet with his/her professor within the first few weeks of a course. At this meeting, the student should discuss the type and method of accommodation he/she will need. The faculty member may request that the student bring a letter from the SSD office to verify the student's eligibility for such accommodations. This letter should be presented to the instructor at an individual meeting where the student can answer further questions that his/her professor may ask.

Faculty members may determine where accommodated tests are to be administered. The student should remind his/her instructor at least five working days before each test that he/she is receiving testing accommodations. If the instructors are unable to procotr the students' exams, students can request to make such arrangments through the SSD office. Students are responsible for turning in a completed Test Request Form 5 working days prior to each exam they need to take in the SSD office. Once the Test Request Form is completed, SSD will send an email to the instructors and ask the following:

· What is the length of time given to your class to complete this exam?
· What time is the exam scheduled?
· If there is a scheduling conflict for a student or our office due to extended time required to complete an exam, would you prefer the student take the exam earlier or later than your planned administration time?
· Are any aids, such as calculators or notes permitted?
· How would you like to handle test delivery? Often faculty members or teaching assistants drop off and pick up exams. If approved by faculty, students can also pick up and return their tests in sealed, signed envelopes. Tests can be emailed or faxed.

Unless specifically allowed by the instructor, books, notes, or other test related material will not be allowed into the testing room and the student is not permitted to exit the room without supervision.

If a change in testing arrangements is necessary, SSD must be notified as soon as the student or professor knows of the change. If a student wishes to reschedule an exam, SSD staff must have written or verbal approval from the instructor.

Repeated failures to show up for a proctored exam may result in loss of privileges. It is the student's responsibility to talk to the professor regarding his/her failure to show up for the exam, and if possible, to reschedule the exam.

Students are told specifically not to take tests without the accommodations for which they have been approved. If the accommodation, as arranged by the faculty member, is not appropriate or if a faculty member refuses to make an approved accommodation, the student should refuse to take the test and notify SSD and the school or college responsible for the course immediately.

Access to Materials in Alternate Format

SSD provides supplementary services as necessary to ensure equal access. SSD will maintain an Institutional Membership with Recordings for the Blind and Dyslexic which students may use to obtain taped textbooks. Students interested in using this service will be required to submit a list of the textual material needed to SSD. SSD will place the order with Recordings for the Blind and Dyslexic. SSD will also assist students interested in applying for individual memberships with Recordings for the Blind and Dyslexic along with the Library of Congress Talking Book Program as requested.

When information is unavailable through RFB&D, SSD will convert print materials into e-text. Students are encouraged to talk with their professors prior to the beginning of class to learn what texts must be read and whether or not there will be additional material provided by the professor. To convert materials into e-text, students must drop off their books/materials and complete a scanning request form. SSD may require a copy of a course syllabus to facilitate the scanning process. It is helpful when this information is made available to SSD before the start of a course.

If a student wants SSD to convert additional reading material he/she receives during the quarter, the material must be brought to the SSD office immediately in order to ensure sufficient recording time. SSD staff will work with students and determine the appropriate way to handle emergency needs on a case-by-case basis.

Information is also available in Braille or enlarged print. Students should follow the above document conversions procedures for Braille or enlarged materials.

Sign-Language Interpreters and Real-time Captioning

Northwestern University will provide deaf students lecture material in the mode of communication that allows the student equal access to course material. Sign language interpreters will be hired to provide either American Sign Language or Signed English as preferred by the student. If a student does not have sign language skills or if course information cannot be adequately conveyed with the assistance of an interpreter, a real-time transcriber will be hired for the student’s classes. Northwestern University will provide interpreter services for all student-related programs and activities sponsored by the University including but not limited to: study groups and extra-curricular activities.

It is the goal of Services for Students with Disabilities that students with hearing impairments have equal access to all programs and policies under University control.

Note-Taking Assistance

Students who have been approved for note-taking services should attempt to find a student within their class willing to share a copy of the class notes. The student requiring assistance should attempt to find a student who takes notes in a manner that matches the student with a disability’s learning style. If the student cannot identify a student willing to share notes or feels uncomfortable designating note-takers, SSD will work with the instructor to facilitate this process. SSD will compensate student note-takers one hundred dollars per quarter.

Physical Accommodations

Northwestern University has made a number of physical changes in recent years to make buildings on campus more accessible; however, there are many older buildings on campus that may not be accessible to students with certain physical impairments. The University has the obligation to make classes and programs accessible and will make reasonable accommodations to do so. Examples of appropriate physical accommodations include changing the location of the room in which the class is held, removing fixed seating to allow wheelchair access, asking a professor whose office is not accessible to meet with the student in another setting, etc. SSD staff will work with the student, Facilities Management, the academic department, faculty member and any other parties necessary offices to make such reasonable and appropriate accommodations. Students have the obligation to notify the SSD office immediately of any physical barrier to their participation in a class or program so staff may arrange for modifications.

For students with sensitivity to chemicals or other substances in the environment, SSD will work with Facilities Management, Dorms and Commons, and other offices as appropriate to determine whether or not the University uses the chemicals to which the student is sensitive, and if so, whether or not any substitutions can be made. When appropriate, SSD makes arrangements to notify students prior to the use of the identified substance; however, absent extraordinary circumstances, the University will not stop doing the necessary or scheduled work. If the student cannot attend class because of the impact of maintenance or other work, SSD staff will work with the student and faculty member to make reasonable accommodations to minimize the impact of the student's absence from class.

Adaptive Equipment

It may be appropriate for a student to use adaptive equipment in the classroom or in the preparation of class assignments. The University provides some adaptive equipment for general student use and a list of such equipment is available in SSD. SSD staff will work with the student and faculty member as necessary to determine when it is appropriate for such equipment to be used in the completion of class assignments. Students must notify faculty members of the existence of a disability, which necessitates the use of tape recorders in the classroom prior to using a recorder in class. The SSD office has a TTY that is available for student use during working hours. The phone number is 847/467-5533.

Students who believe they will benefit from using other adaptive equipment may make a request of SSD to purchase adaptive equipment. The Coordinator of SSD will evaluate the appropriateness of such accommodation/service based on the student's disability and functional limitations. Northwestern will only purchase adaptive equipment necessary to provide students with disabilities equal access to the educational opportunities provided by the University. Personal care items are the responsibility of the student. SSD will provide students information about federal and state vocational rehabilitation agencies that may be able to supply supplemental adaptive equipment.

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