Faculty Resources

Accessibility Services provides services, auxiliary aids, and accommodations for students at Athens State University with documented disabilities. At the same time, Accessibility Services assists faculty in their responsibilities to ensure all students have access to classroom instruction. These guidelines were created to assist you in this endeavor.

Mandates

There are two legal mandates that protect students with disabilities from discrimination and ensure that they have equal access to all aspects of university life. These laws include Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990.

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act

“No otherwise qualified individual with a disability in the United States…shall, solely by reason of his or her disability, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.”

Title II of the ADA

“A public entity shall make reasonable modifications in policies or procedures when the modifications are necessary to avoid discrimination on the basis of disability unless the public entity can demonstrate that making the modifications would fundamentally alter the nature of the service, program, or activity.”

In our efforts to provide appropriate services, Accessibility Services works to make sure services are in compliance with the law. At the same time, we are available to assist you in making sure that your efforts as instructors are also consistent with the law. You are welcome to contact this office at (256) 233-8143.

Responsibilities of Faculty/Staff

  1. Provide accommodations for students registered with Accessibility Services by collaborating with the student and Accessibility Services. You will know that a student needs academic accommodations because a Letter of Accommodation will be sent to you. Faculty are not obligated to provide accommodations until the Letter of Accommodation is received. Accommodations cannot be granted retroactively. If the student claims to need accommodations but does not have a Letter of Accommodation, please refer them to the Accessibility Services Specialist. Once you receive a Letter of Accommodation, please meet with the registered student regarding academic accommodation matters. If you are instructing a Distance Learning class, please e-mail the student and acknowledge that you have received their Letter of Accommodation, and discuss their accommodations directly with the student. Remember to maintain their confidentiality and conduct these meetings in a private location.
  2. Include a statement regarding accommodations in your syllabi. The following serves as a sample statement: “Accessibility Services is the central contact point for Athens State students with disabilities. The goal of Accessibility Services is to ensure that University programs and services are accessible to qualified students. Accessibility Services works with faculty and other members of the University community to provide individualized academic accommodations and support services while promoting student responsibility and self-advocacy.

It is the student’s responsibility to self-disclose their disability, provide adequate documentation, and request academic accommodations/services from Accessibility Services. Accommodations cannot be provided retroactively. Each semester, the student must notify Accessibility Services requesting accommodations.

Students may also visit the Accessibility Services webpage at www.athens.edu/accessibility-services. Accessibility Services is located in Sandridge Student Center, Room 122.”

For questions regarding services provided by Accessibility Services, contact:

Patrice Broaden Photo

Patrice Broaden, Ph.D

ADA Student Accessibility Services Specialist