Roles and responsibilities in the accommodation process

In order for the accommodation process to proceed smoothly, all parties need to understand their roles and responsibilities.

Students are responsible for:

Providing DS with documentation of your disability.
Keeping your disability specialist informed and providing updated documentation if your disability changes.
Requesting accommodations as far ahead of time as possible. Some accommodations cannot be effectively arranged if they are requested on short notice.
Discussing accommodations with faculty and staff members as needed, especially when delivering accommodation letters from your disability specialist. If you have difficulty addressing their concerns or questions, contact your disability specialist for assistance.
Notifying your disability specialist if there are any concerns or difficulties with receiving accommodations. You and your disability specialist will then decide what the next steps should be.

Clarifying and obtaining what documentation is needed to determine eligibility for services.
Maintaining student files in a confidential manner.
Writing individualized letters to faculty or staff members, identifying reasonable accommodations and why they are needed. Letters will detail who is responsible for specific parts of providing accommodations and what to do if there are any concerns.
Releasing disability-related information on a need-to-know basis to other University faculty and staff members.
Discussing with you how your disability impacts you at the University, and informing you when additional documentation is needed.
Helping you to identify reasonable accommodations.

Understanding accommodations recommended by DS, and contacting DS if they think additional accommodations are needed.
Contacting DS or you if there are concerns or questions about accommodations and how they will be provided.
Knowing the essential elements of a course or program.