Syllabus Statement
Please use the following in your syllabus under the ADA Statement section: -
Juniata College is committed to providing equitable access for learning opportunities to students. Students with disabilities are protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504. In addition, your experience in this course is important to me, and I am dedicated to removing barriers and creating a more accessible classroom environment. If you are already affiliated with the Office of Student Accessibility Services (and have been determined eligible to receive accommodations), I encourage you to confirm that I have received a copy of your accommodation letter and schedule a time for us to meet to discuss your need in this course. Although it is preferable to request before the semester begins, requests can be made at any time but are not retroactive. Any student who feels they may need an accommodation based on a documented medical condition, physical disability, mental health diagnosis or learning disability (or suspects they may have one), is encouraged to contact Patty Klug, Director of Student Accessibility Services at klugp@juniata.edu or 814-641-5840. Her office is located in QUEST in Founders Hall, office #213. You are also welcome to contact me if you have additional questions regarding Student Accessibility Services and classroom accommodations.
Instructions for Faculty
Students requesting classroom accommodations because of learning challenges associated with their protected disability will present appropriate documentation to support classroom accommodation to the Office of Accessibility Services. You will receive a Letter of Accommodation for the student?
If, after reviewing the Letter of Accommodation, you believe additional information is necessary or if you believe that any of the accommodations below would materially impact your course or academic program, please contact the Office of Accessibility Services so that we can schedule a meeting to discuss your concerns.
Click here to read more about the various accommodations. This is a non-exhaustive list.
- The student be able to take quizzes, tests and exams in a separate and quieter space with fewer distractions.
- The student be given extended time on those course examinations. The student understands that the maximum time allowed in a testing situation would be twice the allotted time.
- If the student typically submits their assignments on time, attends class regularly and fully engages with the course, they hope that their professors, within reason, will be considerate of requests for deadline extensions for a particular assignment or exam. The student understands that prompt and effective communication is essential to receiving this accommodation.
- The student be able to use a laptop for completing short answer questions, long essays and/or written exams. We have a laptop here that is loaded with Word and does not have an internet connection.
- When necessary, the student may request to have a test reader and/or scribe for their examinations. A staff member in Academic Support will read tests to the student and record written responses using one of our internet-free laptops.
- For tests having a multiple-choice “bubble-type” answer key, that the student be allowed to have a scribe whose only job on such tests will be to fill in the bubble that the student indicates as correct.
- The student be able to review old tests and practice tests, when available, so that the student understands the scope of material to be covered and the test format in advance of the examination. If these tests are not available, the student may visit their instructors during office hours to ask questions about the format of the examinations.
- The student be given digital access to all reading materials for the course in order to utilize text-to-speech software. In class, the student may use their laptop and ear phones to listen to reading materials, which means any in-class documents need to be emailed to the student or posted in Moodle as PDF or Word files. In addition, the student will access their textbooks using digital formats.
- The student will access their textbooks using digital formats.
- The student be allowed to use an audio recorder to capture lectures and other classroom activities. The student may need to sit closer to the front of the room for this purpose.
- The student be able sit closer to the front of the room in order to limit classroom distractions.
- The student be able to use a classmate’s notes to complement their own note-taking and ensure that they have a complete set of notes. The student understands that they are responsible for taking their own notes in class and cannot solely rely on a classmate. As the instructor, you will identify the classmate that you feel takes comprehensive notes and ask the classmate if they would be willing to share them. This should be done discreetly and in consideration of all involved. Some students may prefer anonymity. Photocopies of notes can be made in the Office of Academic Support.
- The student be allowed to use their laptop in class for note-taking and when there are in-class writing assignments. The student understands that this is a privilege that should not be abused by distracting themselves or classmates with using the computer other than for the specific use of class activities.
- The student be allowed to use their laptop and/or Livescribe pen for taking notes during class time.
- The student be permitted to use a calculator.
- The student be given access to any PowerPoint or lecture notes that will help them to organize the course material. The student understands that access to such materials from their professors does not absolve them of responsibility to take their own set of class notes.
- When assigning papers, projects and assignments, sharing a sheet of specific instructions would be very helpful to the student.
- The student hopes that their faculty will be available during office hours and amenable to them coming during those times with questions about the material and to ask that their draft assignments and papers be reviewed and critiqued. Individual instruction is particularly beneficial to the student, but they understand that they cannot monopolize the instructor’s time.
- The student be able to acquire a tutor when necessary to provide additional exposure to class material. The student understands that tutoring does not replace class attendance or the use of the instructor’s office hours.
- If the student typically submits their assignments on time, attends class regularly and fully engages with the course, they hope that their professors, within reason, will be considerate of any interruptions due to ill health that would cause them to occasionally be absent from class or need a deadline extension for a particular assignment or exam. The student understands that prompt and effective communication is essential to receiving this accommodation.
- In Quantitative Methods, for this semester only, the student will be given double the time allotted when completing examinations in pairs with a partner who does not receive accommodations.
- In Quantitative Business Analysis, the student will receive 50 percent more time instead of the standard double time.
- In Cognitive Psychology, the student will receive 50 percent more time instead of the standard double time when examinations are open book/open notes.
- The student be permitted to wear sunglasses during lecture to reduce visual field confusion.
- The student be permitted to use colored overlays to reduce visual field confusion. The student will provide their own visual overlays to use during in-class reading assignments, examinations, and quizzes.
- The student be given consideration for minor [let’s discuss what moderate means] spelling and grammatical errors in written assignments unless such consideration would fundamentally impact the nature of a course, with the understanding that the student has utilized other resources to the best of their ability to proof-read their work (speech to text software, writing center tutors, etc.).
- In Managerial Accounting, for this semester only, the student should be allowed to video record the professor’s projected screen and audio record lecture using a webcam on the student’s personal computer. The student understands that they should not share this video and audio with other students. The student may require preferential seating in order to fully utilize this accommodation.
- While student is taking an exam, if she is in need of a restroom break, that she be permitted to leave and use the restroom. She will then need additional time to complete her exam. Receiving extended time on exams is primarily done through Academic Support, and we ask that Stephanie and her professors talk about testing accommodations in order to plan ahead. The most prudent way to handle extended time for exams is to schedule and take her tests with our office. She would only receive additional time that is equivalent to the amount of time she was in the restroom.
Click here to read about implementing the accommodations.
- The student will speak to all of their instructors during office hours so that you may have an opportunity to discuss the specific classroom accommodations that will be needed in your course.
- The Office of Accessibility Services is able to proctor the student’s examinations in the Testing Center. They understand that they need to look at their schedule, speak with you, and request a proctored test from our office at least 5 business days in advance of the test day.
- The proctored test may occur earlier or later than the class period or on a completely different day. In particular, this may be necessary when it is preferable to you, if the student has back-to-back classes, or if the Office of Disability Services is unable to provide a testing space during the time period of the class.
- When the student takes their tests here in the Library Testing Center, the student will sign an Honor Pledge, so you can be assured that they have not benefited from speaking to their classmates about the test, nor have their classmates “quizzed” the student about a test that the student took earlier than them.
- In-class quizzes can be particularly problematic for students who get classroom accommodation, so the student should speak with you and together devise a plan, ahead of time, for quizzes when you administer them.
- The student asks for some consideration if she has multiple final exams on the same day. The student understands that it is her responsibility to review her final exam schedule and to communicate with her instructors and our office about any requests to change her final exams.
- The student will communicate at least one month in advance of the final exam period.
Please contact the Office of Accessibility Services if you have questions or if we can help regarding any appropriate arrangements for students.
We know you are interested in providing our students with an equal opportunity to succeed, and we assume you understand our responsibility of ensuring access to your course.
Thank you for your support.