Common Classroom Accommodations
Common Accommodations
Access to PowerPoint Presentations
Students with disabilities may need course materials that are displayed on overhead projectors or Power Point slides available for review. Instructors can post the materials using online software, make copies of the materials and distribute these copies to students or place copies of the material on reserve in a library. Students will work with instructor(s) to determine an appropriate time frame for viewing materials.
Alternative Text
Some students require course materials in alternate formats. Common alternate formats include enlarged texts, recorded texts, electronic texts or brailed course materials. DS works with the student and the instructor to ensure that course materials are available in an appropriate format for the student. Depending on the specific alternative text format conversion can be a slow, time consuming process. Thus, a DS staff member may require that faculty provide course materials in advance.
What is “Large Print”?
Large print typeface is equivalent to 18 point font. Some students require larger than 18 point font, however. Requests for large print will be outlined as part of the student’s Accommodation Letter.
Attendance Flexibility
Students with some disabilities, such as chronic illness or mobility difficulties, may miss class as a result. The student is responsible for contacting faculty EACH TIME class is missed due to a disability, unless hospitalized or otherwise not physically able. DS staff members meet with students to discuss the potential implications of missing class (i.e. missed notes, greater difficulty in understanding the material). The instructor and the student should discuss the specifics of attendance flexibility. In some cases an attendance accommodation may not be feasible. If faculty have questions about how an attendance flexibility accommodation would work with the class pedagogy contact the student’s assigned DS staff member to discuss options.
Braille
While most course materials can be made available to students with visual impairments in electronic or audio formats, it may be necessary to provide key passages, handouts or diagrams in Braille. DS can provide limited Brailing services.
Breaks as Needed
For some students with disabilities, sitting for long periods of time and/or remaining in the same position for the duration of a class period can exacerbate symptoms of the disability. Similarly, some students may need to leave class for brief periods to attend to medications or other medical needs. DS encourages these students to move around or leave class in the least disruptive manner possible. Students should discuss seating arrangements and the timing of breaks with their instructors.
Class Notes
The need for supplemental class notes is appropriate for a variety of disabilities. When you receive a student accommodation letter stating that class notes are appropriate please make a generic statement in class encouraging students to volunteer. Disability Services sends an email to all students requesting a volunteer note taker in your class. Students are not eligible to receive this accommodation until the instructor has been provided a letter of accommodation. If the instructor provides a detailed class outline with notes additional class notes may not be necessary. Please reply to the email sent by Disability Services advising the office of your notes.
Deaf and Hard of Hearing Accommodations
Students with hearing loss vary greatly in the assistance that is needed to ensure access to class lecture and materials. Services are established after the student meets with their assigned DS staff person. Whenever possible, faculty are notified in advance that an interpreter or CART provider will be in class.
- Computer Assisted Real Time Transcription (CART) is usually accommodated by an on-site provider. This individual types or “shadow speaks” information occurring in class into a laptop with is then visible to the student who sits alongside.
- Interpreters There are several different forms of interpreting that may be provided to a student with hearing loss. The specific type of service is identified during the meeting with the student and is based on the medical documentation. Interpreters typically stand in the front of the class to the side of the instructor. In higher level classes, interpreters may ask for a copy of the text so that they can ensure access to discipline specific vocabulary.
- Captioning Videos that are part of the class or are on the course syllabus should be captioned. Faculty should review videos prior to the start of the semester for accessibility and if not captioned, contact captioning@uncc.edu immediately for assistance.
- Frequency Modulation (FM) Systems are like miniature radio stations operating on specific frequencies. The personal FM system consists of a transmitter microphone used by the instructor and a receiver used by the student with a hearing impairment. The receiver transmits the sound to the ears of the student or directly to the hearing aid.
Laptop in Class for Taking Notes
Students who, because of a disability, have difficulty taking notes by hand may be eligible to use a laptop in class as an accommodation. Activities such as checking email, instant messaging, and other web related involvement are forbidden.
Preferential Seating
Students with disabilities may request an instructor’s assistance in obtaining appropriate classroom seating. While reasons for accessible seating vary widely, common disability-related requests include seating near the front of the room, seating near the board or overhead projector, seating near an interpreter or microphone, seating near (or away) from windows, seating near the door and seating on the entry-level of a multi-level classroom. DS staff can assist with any modifications to classroom furniture that are necessary due to an accessible seating request.
Record Class Lecture
Students with disabilities may require the use of recording devices in class to capture class lectures and discussions. Recording class materials in audio format is allowed when the student provides notification of the accommodation to the instructor. The student may discuss with the instructor the best placement of the recording device. Through the Office of Disability Services, students with this accommodation formally acknowledge that they agree to abide by proper use of the recordings as a study aide. DS can serve as a resource for questions regarding the recording accommodation.
Can I forbid a student with this accommodation from recording my lectures?
No. If it is an approved accommodation, it is meant to provide meaningful access to the educational experience and will appear on the student’s Accommodation Letter. The recording of lectures is one of the accommodations specifically mentioned in Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. The issue of copyright as a concern is referenced in this Department of Education document on auxiliary aids. Visit the Office of Legal Affairs website for more information on classroom recordings and FERPA in person and online classes.
Testing Accommodations
Testing accommodations (e.g. lower distraction environment, extended time, assistive technology, etc.) are perhaps the most common accommodations requested. Visit our Testing Accommodations page to learn more about our Test Center, the DS Faculty Portal, and our processes.