Disability Services Home   Universal Instructional Design  Students  Visitors  Faculty/Staff  Resources  Podcasts  Procedures/ Responsibilities  Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)  Site Map  ADA Committee  Campus ADA Map

University of Nebraska Kearney > Disability Services > Faculty Staff

Faculty/Staff Disability Services

FAQs for Faculty and Instructors

1. What is a disability?
2. A student in my class is having difficulty, and I suspect it may be disability-related. What should I do?
3. What are reasonable accommodations?
4. A student handed me a letter from Disability Services requesting accommodations. What should I do if I have questions?
5. What are roles and responsibilities in the accommodation process?
6. Who can I call if I have a general question?

1. What is a disability?

As defined by law, a disability is a substantial limitation in one or more major life activities. Since this legal definition is quite subjective, DS focuses on what accommodations are reasonable in each individual's situation.

2. A student in my class is having difficulty, and I suspect it may be disability-related. What should I do?

Talk with the student privately about your observations of his performance in class. Refrain from speculating about disability. Instead, offer referrals to a range of campus resources, including tutoring assistance, Disability Services, counseling, etc.

3. What are reasonable accommodations?

A reasonable accommodation is a modification or adjustment to a course, program, service, job, facility, or activity that enables a qualified person with a disability to have an equal opportunity. Institutions are obligated to make reasonable accommodations only to known limitations of an otherwise qualified individual.

Reasonable accommodations should not alter a course's essential components or in any way "water down" the curriculum or the standards of the institution.

4. A student handed me a letter from Disability Services requesting accommodations. What should I do if I have questions?

If you have questions concerning testing accommodations, contact the The Learning Strategies Office, (308)865-8214.

5. What are roles and responsibilities in the accommodation process?

Determining appropriate accommodations is a collaborative effort. The student must register with Disability Services and provide documentation of his or her disability. The student also brings an understanding of his or her own needs. The Disability Specialist determines reasonable accommodations for the student, based on the student's documentation. The faculty member or instructor provides knowledge of a course's content, methods, and essential components.

6. Who can I call if I have a general question?

Contact Disability Services, Phone (308) 865-8655, TTY/Voice (308) 865-8377, E-mail disability@unk.edu. Your call will be directed to the appropriate person.