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Faculty & Staff

Please review the required syllabus statement and your roles and responsibilities in working with our office and students with disabilities. 


Faculty Roles & Responsibilities

 


Faculty Syllabus Statement

 


CDA Faculty Online Portal Login

 


Faculty & Staff Services

 


Faculty & Staff Training and Resources

 


Faculty and Department Awards

 

The Center for Disability & Access (CDA) recognizes that the role faculty play is at the heart of the University's mission.  We rely on you to assist our office in providing reasonable and appropriate accommodations for students with disabilities. 

The University of Utah is mandated by law (the Americans with Disabilities Act) and by policy to provide reasonable accommodation to all qualified students who request an accommodation.

If a student requests a change or modification in the course requirements based upon a disability, you should refer the student to CDA.  CDA is the designated and only campus office that is authorized to determine whether or not a student is qualified for accommodations.

A faculty member is not required to provide an accommodation or modification to course requirements without being notified to do so by CDA.  If you have a question about the appropriateness of a prescribed accommodation,  please contact our office to address any concerns and evaluate possible alternatives.

Faculty Roles and Responsibilities

https://disability.utah.edu/faculty/index.php#facultyroles


We are committed to partnering with faculty to provide students with disabilities the opportunity for success and equal access at the University of Utah.  We believe that providing reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities is a shared responsibility.

Section 504 of the 1973 Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act, as amended, requires the University to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified students with disabilities. 

Confidentiality

While CDA strives to work collaboratively with faculty, there are some guidelines that must be followed to protect the confidentiality of the student.

  1. Faculty are not entitled to know the diagnosis of a student and should not ask students to disclose the specifics of their disability.
  2. Documentation related to accommodations (i.e. accommodation forms and memos) must be kept separate from a student's departmental file.

Faculty Rights

  • The right to ask for verification from the Center for Disability & Access when the student requests an accommodation in their course or program.
  • The right to consult the Center for Disability & Access to discuss requested accommodations.
  • The right and responsibility to identify and determine the abilities, skills and knowledge that are essential and fundamental to academic courses and programs.  (These standards are not subject to modification based upon disability.)
  • The right to expect the student with a disability to meet the same academic standards as peers in the course.

Faculty Responsibilities

  • The responsibility to inform the student of the procedure to request accommodations.
  • The responsibility to maintain confidentiality about any information disclosed in discussions with the student or their Disabilities Advisor.
  • The responsibility to provide accommodations in a timely manner once they have been verified by the Center for Disability & Access.
  • The responsibility to inform students that all course material can be made available in alternative format with prior request.

Faculty are not permitted to deny an approved accommodation issued by the Center for Disability & Access without engaging with CDA to discuss their concerns.  CDA may or may not authorize alternative accommodations based on the outcome of this discussion and any additional analysis.

The CDA Accommodation Process includes:

https://disability.utah.edu/faculty/index.php#accprocessfaculty


Student completes an intake appointment with a Disabilities Advisor in the Center for Disability & Access.

Student submits supporting documentation which establishes that a disability exists and what reasonable accommodations are appropriate.

The Center for Disability & Access determines approved reasonable accommodations.

Faculty receive official notice of accommodations from CDA, typically via the CDA Faculty Online Portal.


CDA Online Portal Login

 

If you have any questions about your role in the accommodations process, or have a question regarding a specific student request, please contact CDA.

Syllabus Statement

https://disability.utah.edu/faculty/index.php#syllabusstatement


To comply with law and inform students of the University's accommodation policies, the following statement should be included in all course syllabi.

The University of Utah seeks to provide equal access to its programs, services and activities for people with disabilities. If you will need accommodations in the class, reasonable prior notice needs to be given to the Center for Disability & Access, 162 Olpin Union Building, 801-581-5020. CDA will work with you and the instructor to make arrangements for accommodations. 

All written information in this course can be made available in alternative format with prior notification to the Center for Disability & Access.

Guidance for Specific Accommodations

https://disability.utah.edu/faculty/index.php#accommodationguidance


The accommodation regarding an adjustment to class attendance policies is implemented based upon the impact of a student's disability and should not be used frequently but for occasional absences.  Regular class attendance is expected and instructors should establish and communicate course attendance requirements to students.  However, modification to the attendance policy may be appropriate due to the chronic nature of a student’s disability characterized by unpredictable or cyclical episodes that may occasionally impact the ability to attend class. 

Instructors should contact the student’s CDA advisor to assist in determining when and how often an adjustment is reasonable.  The number of additional allowable absences will depend upon the impact of the student’s condition, essential elements of the course, and the interactive or participatory nature of classes. 

Process:

CDA and faculty should engage in an interactive process to determine the specific amount of flexibility that can be offered.

The following are potential questions that CDA and instructors should consider in determining if and how much an adjustment should be made:

  • How is the course constructed?
  • What is the written attendance policy in the syllabus?
  • Are exceptions to the policy allowed for athletic travel, religious purposes, or other reasons?
  • Does interaction, group work, and discussion play a significant role in the course?
  • How often does the class meet?
  • Are there specific days for which attendance is more important than others?
  • How is attendance and participation graded?

When the interactive process determines that additional flexibility is reasonable, CDA and instructors should make additional determinations:

  • How many additional missed days will be allowed?
  • How will the student communicate with the professor regarding missed time?
  • How will the student be able to makeup missed work?
  • Are alternative assignments and work available for missed time?
  • What will occur if more than the additional allowed time is missed?

Additional Details:

  • As an approved accommodation the student is not required to provide faculty with medical documentation verifying their disability-related absences. CDA will request additional documentation from the student and medical provider if necessary.
  • Absences that are not related to the effects of a disability are not included in this accommodation (e.g. absences due to a common illness, car trouble, childcare, employment, etc.).

The accommodation to allow for additional time for assignments is implemented for occasional use and not intended for all class assignments.  Instructors set assignment deadlines and should clearly communicate deadlines to students via the syllabus.  However, additional flexibility may be needed due to the chronic nature of a student’s disability characterized by unpredictable or cyclical episodes that may impact the ability to complete assignments by the deadline.

In most cases, an additional 24 to 48 hour extension is reasonable.  Additional time may be appropriate depending upon the impact of the disability.  Students must contact the instructor before the assignment is due to implement the accommodation.  The student must contact both the instructor and their Disabilities Advisor when the student is prevented from contacting the instructor before the deadline or when more than a 48 hour extension is requested.

Process:

After receiving notice of an accommodation for addtional time for assignments, instructors should contact CDA to discuss questions or concerns.

CDA and faculty should engage in an interactive process to determine the specific amount of flexibility that can be offered.

The following are potential questions that CDA and instructors should consider in determining if and how much adjustment should be made:

  • What does the syllabus indicate regarding late work?
  • Is late work regularly accepted and/or penalized?
  • Will answers to completed assignment be posted or available immediately or soon after the deadline?
  • Does additional time for an assignment result in a delay for other students and their ability to move forward in the course?
  • Are there group assignments or work that is required in the course?
  • Are alterative assignments ever offered in the course?

When the interactive process determines that additional flexibility is reasonable, CDA and instructors should make additional determinations:

  • How much additional time can be granted? Hours, days, weeks, etc.?
  • How will the student communicate with the professor regarding the need for more time?
  • What will occur if more than the approved accommodation for additional time is needed?

Additional Details:

  • Generally, an additional day or two is reasonable as an accommodation, but the amount is dependent upon the specific assignment, student’s condition, and essential elements of the course.
  • As an approved accommodation the student is not required to provide faculty with medical documentation verifying their disability-related need for accommodation. CDA will request additional documentation from the student and medical provider if necessary.
  • The flexible deadline should not exceed the last instructional day for the course unless an incomplete has been requested or granted.

The accommodation regarding permission to reschedule exams is intended to be used on a limited basis and should not be used for all exams.  It may be used when specifically related to an exacerbation of the student’s disability. 

Students must contact their instructor and the CDA exam coordinator before the start of the exam in order to be eligible to reschedule the exam.  The exam should be rescheduled and completed as soon as possible. 

If the student is unable to contact the instructor and CDA exam coordinator before the scheduled exam time, the student must contact their CDA advisor to assist in determining if it would still be appropriate to allow the exam to be rescheduled.  The CDA advisor will work with the instructor, student, and exam coordinator regarding the potential to reschedule the exam.

Additional Details:

  • Since the Center for Disability and Access has approved the accommodation and provided notice to the faculty, the student is not required to provide faculty with medical documentation verifying the disability-related need for accommodation. CDA will request additional documentation from the student and medical provider if necessary.
  • CDA may require additional documentation when the accommodation need is required for a more extensive period of time than the occasional limited use.



Staff or faculty who are in need of accommodations in the workplace should contact Human Resources or call (801) 581-2169.

U OF U HUMAN RESOURCES - WORKPLACE ACCOMMODATIONS


CDA can serve as a resource to staff and faculty for training and information on details of the Americans with Disabilities Act and how best to work with students registered with our office.

We are happy to meet with you individually or as a group in your staff or faculty meetings to provide information and training.

Additionally, we often will assist in setting up panel presentations for courses, classrooms, or group presentations.

Please contact our Outreach Coordinator:

Stephanie Piani
Phone: 801-585-0217
spiani@sa.utah.edu


Each year the Center for Disability & Access recognizes faculty who have contributed and promoted a positive environment for students with disabilities.  Students who have received accommodations and would like to nominate a faculty member who has shown sensitivity and a strong willingness to assist student with disabilities, should submit a Faculty Award Nomination.

 

Additionally, on a yearly basis, CDA recognizes departments for distinguished and exemplary service to student with disabilities.

Thank you to all of the past faculty and department award recipients!

 

Michelle Bachman, Education

Abe Bakhsheshy, Management

John Bartley, Geology & Geophysics

Beth Cardell, Occupational Therapy

Michael Caserta, Nursing

Tim Chambless, Political Science

Les Chatelain, Health

Deen Chatterjee, Philosophy

Andrej Cherkaev, Mathematics

Neil Cotter, Electrical Engineering

Jared Covili, Educational Psychology

Maggie Cummings, Mathematics

Barbara Dickey, Law

Linda S. Edelman, Nursing

Nickieanne Fleener, Communication

Hank Liese, Social Work

Kelly MacArthur, Mathematics

Thomas Malloy, Psychology

Kimberley Mangun, Communication

Valerie Martinez, Art & Art History

Andrea Miller, Special Education

Kenneth Monson, Mechanical Engineering

David Morton, Medicine

Holly Sebahar, Chemistry

Mark de St. Aubin, Social Work

Randall Stewart, Languages & Literature

Paul Stout, Art & Art History

Bert N. Uchino, Psychology

Suresh Venkatasubramanian, Computing

Don Wardell, Business 

 

2006 - Union Reservations

2007 - Testing Center

2008 - Housing and Residential Education

2009 - Marriott Library

2010 - Counseling Center

2011 - Scheduling Office

2012 - Dean of Students Office

2013 - Facilities Management

2014 - University Student Apartments

2015 - Office of Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action

2016 - Teaching and Learning Technologies 

 

 

 

 

 

Last Updated: 2/29/24