The Office of Accessibility (OA) hopes to empower faculty, staff, and students in order to create accessible educational environments. The guidelines below consist of a mixture of documents created in-house and those curated from external sources, such as university and college partners (with citations).
In consulting these guidelines, remember the following:
Accommodated Testing Information for Faculty (PDF-239KB)
This guide explains the instructor's rights, and responsibilities regarding accommodated
testing.
Autism Spectrum Disorders Tips (PDF-323KB)
Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) are neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by
difficulties with social interaction and communication. Asperger’s Syndrome (AS) falls
within this spectrum and is sometimes referred to as “high functioning autism.” This
guide provides a general overview of the autism spectrum. An individual on the autism
spectrum may exhibit some of the following characteristics noted within this guide.
Changes to class attendance requirements, assignment deadlines, or exam dates are
fundamental alterations to a course. Approval for such flexibility is a process that
will require questions, discussion, and an OA team consultation and staffing to determine
the reasonableness of such a request. Note that the OA Team will advocate for and
with you in regards to your disability related needs and work with you and your instructor
to assess and determine reasonable accommodations that allow you to participate in
your classes. As stated in the Winthrop Student Handbook, Interaction between faculty and students is an integral part of the learning process
at Winthrop.
Faculty may use the following guides and agreements based on the students approved
accommodation:
Attendance Flexibility Guide and Agreement (PDF-183KB)
Assignment Deadline Flexibility Agreement (PDF-872KB)
Exam Date Flexibility Guide and Agreement (PDF-322KB)
Attendance, Assignment, and Exam Date Flexibility Guide and Agreement (PDF-344KB)
Faculty Guidelines for Recording Devices (PDF-231KB)
Recording lectures is an accommodation meant to ensure equal access and allows students
who have documented deficits in attention, auditory processing, and working memory
to listen to the lecture at their own pace: pausing and replaying as needed until
they have absorbed the necessary information. In a typical classroom environment,
students with the above deficits may not be able to process auditory information coming
in, hold it in mind, and write it down while listening for the next piece of information.
Having a recording allows a student to overcome this barrier to learning.
Students who have been approved for a "recording" accommodation to assist with note-taking may utilize diffferent types of specialized apps and software on electronic devices including, but not limited to, Live Scribe pens, digital recorders, and even cell phones, tablets, and laptops.
Best Practices -Working with Students with Hearing Impairments (PDF-747KB)
This information provided can assist you in effectively communicating class information
to students who are Deaf and/ or Hard of Hearing and will allow you to facilitate
an environment in which they can participate equally in class discussions and activities.
Service Dog 101 (PDF-660KB)
This document provides guidance for interacting with service dog handlers and their
service dogs.
Disability Related Animals on Campus Guide (PDF-238KB)
This document is designed to provide the campus community with a working knowledge
of the University’s guidelines on disability-related animals on campus.
You may also want to view the student guidelines for approved accommodations.
