Disability Services - Information for Faculty & Staff 

Memo to LSSU Faculty Members

Disability Services, a division of Student Affairs, wishes to share with you some exciting news regarding some procedural changes that have taken place during the past year and some changes that will take place this summer.  Item below that indicates it is, or will be, available via a web page link can be provided to you in alternative formats. 

Items completed to improve integrity at Disability Services (DS) in Accommodated Testing:

• New cameras, with better video definition and infrared capability, along with additional placements for more coverage, have been installed in testing rooms.
• The camera server now allows remote viewing, by individual request, from wired connections on the campus network and allows any faculty member who desires to proctor remotely, to do so.
• DS has the ability to back-up testing room video within three (3) weeks of any exam.
• Implementation of new, stricter policies for student workers ad proctors for the Fall 2013 school year. (http://www.lssu.edu/disability/Policiesforstudentworkers.php).
• There is a secure drop box for after office hours test drop off beside LBR 103.
• Documentation of student’s disability, within ADA standards, may be viewable. Restrictions apply based upon the fact that many of the documents fall under HIPPA rules. If there is a desire to view these documents there must be a “need to know” as defined by HIPPA Standards.
• Posted warnings in testing rooms regarding possible consequences of cheating.
• Posting of a new, stricter policy that students must read and sign to indicate that they understand and agree to follow the rules (http://www.lssu.edu/disability/responsibilities.php).
• More, improved computer stations within the testing room with camera placements that allow better observation of the systems, in addition to the student.  DS has created an environment that eases student anxiety while still maintaining test integrity.
• It is the policy of DS that a student worker may not handle tests from a course that he or she is currently taking or is likely to take. If faculty come to the office to drop off a test and finds a student worker at the desk, please drop the test in the secure drop box located next to the door of LBR 103.
• DS has implemented a stricter policy that will not allow students who have taken tests to bring the tests back to the professors under any circumstances.  A DS staff member or student worker will return all tests to the professor’s departmental office mailbox or professors may pick them up.  DS advises calling extenstion 2355 before coming to pick up tests.
• DS has new test scheduling policies for the Fall 2013 school year which can be found at (http://www.lssu.edu/disability/responsibilities.php).
• A new exam scheduling desk is located in LBR 149 to relieve congestion at Vicki’s desk and we are working on extending this service to LBR 103 as well.
• Instructors are responsible for delivering tests to the Disability Services.

• If exam alterations are necessary, the exam it must be delivered to Disability Services 24 to 48 hours in advance to provide adequate time for alteration to be made. 

• When a student is taking an exam, proctoring will occur by remote live video feed that is viewed live and automatically recorded to our video system. Faculty can view live video upon request. NOTE: The testing room must remain as quiet as possible at all times.

The Syllabus Statement     

Please consider including a statement in your course syllabus explaining that students with disabilities needing accommodations in your class should connect with the Disability Services (DS) office, as well as communicating their needs directly with you.   Including this information in your syllabus helps to inform students about the existence of our office, and may let them know that their particular disability may qualify them for services.  Additionally, some students are shy, intimidated or embarrassed about their disability, making it difficult for them to approach their instructors and request accommodations.  Including such a statement in your syllabus lets students know that you are approachable, and they feel more comfortable making the initial contact to request disability accommodations.   Please choose one of the several versions listed below.  Feel free to contact DS at extension 2355 if you have any questions.

Examples:

• The university will make reasonable accommodations for persons with documented disabilities. Students should notify their instructors and Disability Services (located in LBR 149 just down the hall from the Learning Center) of any accommodation needs as soon as possible.

• If you have specific physical, psychiatric or learning disabilities and require accommodations, please let me know early in the semester so that your learning needs may be appropriately met. You will need to provide documentation of your disability to Disability Services (located in LBR 149 just down the hall from the Learning Center).

• Lake Superior State University abides by Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 which stipulates that no student shall be denied the benefits of an education "solely by reason of a handicap." Disabilities covered by law include, but are not limited to, learning disabilities, psychological disabilities, health impairments, hearing, and sight or mobility impairments. If you have a disability that may have some impact on your work in this class and for which you may require accommodations, please see me or Disability Services (located in LBR 149 just down the hall from the Learning Center) so that such accommodations may be arranged.

• I encourage students with disabilities, including non-visible disabilities such as chronic diseases, learning disabilities, head injury and attention deficit/hyperactive disorder, to discuss with me, after class or during my office hours, appropriate accommodations that might be helpful to them.

• Any student with a documented disability needing academic adjustments or accommodations is requested to speak with the professor as soon as possible. All discussions will remain confidential.

• If you have a hidden or visible disability which may require classroom or test accommodations, please see me as soon as possible during a scheduled office hour. If you have not already done so, please register with Disability Services (located in LBR 149 just down the hall from the Learning Center). This office is responsible for coordinating accommodations and services for students with disabilities.

• The University will make reasonable accommodations for person with documented disabilities. Students should notify the Disability Services office (located in LBR 149 just down the hall from the Learning Center) and their instructors of any special needs. Instructors should be notified as soon as possible.

• Anyone who feels they may need an accommodation based on the impact of a disability should contact me to arrange an appointment to make accommodation arrangements. I rely on Disability Services for assistance in verifying the need for accommodations and developing accommodation strategies. If you have not previously contacted Disability Services, I encourage you to do so; they are located in LBR 149 just down the hall from the Learning Center.

• Students with disabilities who believe that they may need accommodations in this class are encouraged to contact Disability Services, located in LBR 149 just down the hall from the Learning Center, as soon as possible to ensure that such accommodations are implemented in a timely fashion.

• If you have specific physical, psychiatric or learning disabilities and require accommodations, please let me know early in the semester so that your learning needs may be appropriately met. You will need to provide documentation of your disability to Disability Services (located in LBR 149 just down the hall from the Learning Center).

• In compliance with Lake Superior State University’s policy and equal access laws, I am available to discuss appropriate academic accommodations that you may require as a student with a disability. Requests for academic accommodations need to be made during the first week of the semester, except for unusual circumstances, so arrangements can be made. Students are encouraged to register with Disability Services (located in LBR 149 just down the hall from the Learning Center) for disability verification and for determination of reasonable academic accommodations.

Lake Superior State University Disability Services Policy Manual (pdf)

Lake Superior State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, creed, color, national origin, age, sex, marital status, disability, or veteran status.

 Training Opportunities

The ASD Project, from Utah State University, is a computer-based course intended to develop awareness about accommodating students with disabilities in Higher Education. Research indicates that faculty are willing to accommodate students with disabilities, but the overwhelming majority have received little or no training. Here is your opportunity for training. Contact Vicki Fox in Disability Services for more information. 

Alternative formats of this web page are available upon request.