Faculty/Staff Information

Trainings

We are working to provide you with information that will support your work with students in the online environment. We are offering several trainings to support your efforts and create the most effective learning environment for all. The following are days and times of trainings offered through Zoom. If you have any questions about these trainings, please email us at drc@asu.edu.

DATE	TIME	TOPIC	LINK
Wed 5/13	11:30 AM	Deaf/Hard of Hearing Student Support	Zoom link
COMPLETED
Mon 3/23	12 PM	Captions/Transcripts	Zoom link
Tues 3/24	10 AM	Online Accommodations	Zoom link
Wed 3/25	12:30 PM	Deaf / Hard of Hearing	Zoom link
Thu 3/26	10 AM	Alternative Format	Zoom link
Fri 3/27	2 PM	DRC Faculty Portal	Zoom link
Mon 3/30	1 PM	Quick Canvas Accessibility	Zoom link
Tues 3/31	2 PM	Testing	Zoom link
Wed 4/1	10 AM	Captioning/Transcripts	Zoom link
Thu 4/2	9 AM	Deaf / Hard of Hearing	Zoom link
Fri 4/3	11 AM	FAQs	Zoom link
Tues 4/7	1 PM	Ways to Support Students in the Online Classroom	Zoom Link
Wed 4/8	3 PM	Working with students who are Deaf / Hard of Hearing	Zoom Link
Thur 4/9	12 noon	Understand Alternative Format	Zoom Link
Fri 4/10	10 AM	DRC Frequently Asked Questions	Zoom Link
Mon 4/13	11:30 AM	Testing Accommodations and quick canvas tutorial	Zoom Link
Wed 4/15	12 noon	Discover ASU's resources to support student success	Zoom Link
Fri 4/17	12 noon	Assistive Technology that you can create	Zoom Link
Wed 4/22	11:30 AM	Deaf/Hard of Hearing Student Support	Zoom link
Thu 4/23	12 noon	Working with Our Veteran Students	Zoom link

The Faculty Portal is a means for faculty to review information regarding accommodations for students registered with the Disability Resource Center and in your course. Once logged in, you can:

View accommodation information
Upload exams for those taking exams at the DRC
Submit information to the DRC on how you would like your exams proctored (i.e. the Testing Contract)

Please contact the Disability Resource Center if you have any questions.

The Disability Resource Center (DRC) staff hopes the following answers to commonly asked questions will assist faculty and all other teaching staff in accommodating qualified Arizona State University (ASU) students with disabilities.

Frequently Asked Questions for Continued Online Learning

Is the DRC Open?

The DRC staff will continue to be available remotely. If there is an accessibility concern related to your course, regardless of how the course is being delivered, please contact the Disability Resource Center. They can be reached in a variety of ways including, email, phone, or Zoom conference. As usual, you will be able to call us at 480-965-1234 or email us at DRC@asu.edu. DRC staff are available to assist all of our Students, Faculty, Staff and partners.

What do I need to do?

The first step would be to familiarize/re-familiarize yourself with the students who are in your course and what accommodations they require. The best way to access this information is through the faculty portal. Once you review what accommodations are needed you may find that little needs to be adjusted.

Will I get a new faculty notification since transitioning to online?

You will only receive a faculty notification if a student requests different accommodations or a new student requests accommodations. Any students who have had accommodations in your course prior to the transition to remote course delivery, will continue to receive those same accommodations, although they may be slightly modified to meet the new environment.

How do I know if students with Disabilities are in my course and have requested accommodations?

Faculty have access to the Faculty Portal of DRC Connect. Faculty are able to see the students registered with the DRC for any classes you are teaching that have requested accommodations. If there are no students requesting accommodations, you will not see anything in the portal. If additional faculty (TA or similar) need to be added, please let us know so we can manually add them.

What if I need to add access for another professor or TA?

If additional faculty or TAs need to be added, please let us know so we can manually add them. Send an email to drc@asu.edu and provide the following information:

SLN for the course(s)
Name of instructor or TA’s
ASURITE username of the person we need to add
Email address of the person we need to add

How do you provide extended time in Canvas?

In order to provide the extended time accommodation for online courses the timing of the online exams and/or quizzes needs to be adjusted. Here are video instructions for Canvas. There are also instructions within this Canvas course:

You can also watch the following ASUOnline video

How do students registered with the DRC take their exams?

The first question to think through is how are you providing your exams to the rest of your class?

If you are using an online platform, then you would ensure students have access to their accommodations through that same platform. We are highly encouraging all faculty to administer their exams remotely to reduce the need for students with disabilities to come into a location. This is recommended as a way of adhering to CDC recommendations and being mindful that many students registered with our office are also more susceptible to illnesses.

If you are requiring students to take their tests in person and you are not able to provide the students accommodations, the DRC will work with you to figure out how to best facilitate the exam to ensure students receive their accommodations.

Can a student still take their exam in the DRC?

If the exam is being administered online, students with disabilities would take their exams using the same platform utilizing their accommodations. The DRC will administer any exams for courses that may still require that they be in person.

I am creating videos, do I need to do something?

If you have students with accommodations such as interpreters, CART, captioning, and/or transcripts, it is imperative that you notify us immediately that you are planning to use videos. Our staff will work with you to ensure your course content is accessible.

Here are some tips for you to consider on your end: Web Accessibility

Why are DRC Staff asking me for my courses’ Zoom information?

DRC staff occasionally need to access courses in order to provide accommodations and ensure accessibility. It is imperative that if a service provider is accessing your course, including attending on zoom, that you allow them full access. Some of the common reasons for this access include sign language Interpreting, CART (communication access realtime translation), and Captioning. If you have questions about this please contact our office as soon as possible.

Additional FAQs

How will I know if there are students with disabilities in my classes?

The DRC recommends that faculty put statements in their syllabus and in other student communication locations, letting students know they are available to discuss disability and other student’s issues that may arise in their classes. The following are sample statements:

Sample Syllabus Statements Regarding Disability Accommodations:

Disability Accommodations: Qualified students with disabilities who will require disability accommodations in this class are encouraged to make their requests to me at the beginning of the semester either during office hours or by appointment. Note: Prior to receiving disability accommodations, verification of eligibility from the Disability Resource Center (DRC) is required. Disability information is confidential.
Establishing Eligibility for Disability Accommodations: Students who feel they will need disability accommodations in this class but have not registered with the Disability Resource Center (DRC) should contact DRC immediately. Students should contact the Disability Resource Center on the campus that your class is being held. Campus-specific location and contact information can be found on the DRC website. DRC offices are open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday – Friday. Check the DRC website for eligibility and documentation policies.

Why is it important to be aware of and plan for potential disability access issues in your classes?

The Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Section 504, and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) including the ADA Amendments of 1990 and 2008, mandate that ASU make facilities, educational and co-curricular programs, campus activities, and employment opportunities accessible to qualified individuals with disabilities.

Is disability information confidential?

Disability information is privileged and confidential. Students have a right to confidentiality when disclosing disabilities and expect confidentiality will be maintained. Disability information should be secured and accessed only by those “with a need to know”, e.g., a graduate assistant responsible for providing actual accommodations. Students are not required to divulge the nature of their disabilities to faculty and staff or provide them with copies of their disability documentation. They are required to provide faculty and staff a letter from the DRC verifying DRC registration and eligibility.

Who is an "individual with a disability" under Section 504 and the ADA?

Under the ADA Amendment, an “individual with a disability” is someone who has a physical or mental impairment substantially limiting one or more major life activities, has a record of such an impairment, or is regarded as having such an impairment.

Are faculty and other teaching staff legally responsible for accommodating qualified students with disabilities?

Yes. They have a legal responsibility to ensure each course, when viewed in its entirety, is accessible for qualified students with disabilities. Doing so necessitates planning ahead and considering that every class will have diverse learners, including students with disabilities. The ADA mandates students’ rights to accommodations and their right to file complaints through the Department of Education, Office of Civil Rights (OCR), and/or lawsuits through the Department of Justice, against the University, for financial reimbursement if these accommodations are not provided.
NOTE: Faculty and staff can ensure access to the greatest number of students in their classes and, in many cases, they can reduce the need for individualized disability accommodations, by incorporating the Principles of Universal Design for Instruction (UDI) and Learner Centered Education (LCE) into course materials design and technological development. For more information, contact the Center for Learning and Teaching Excellence (CLTE) on the Tempe campus at 480-965-9401 and the DRC on your campus.

When students identify themselves as having disabilities, what should faculty and staff do?

Interaction with students with disabilities is the same as with any other student. However, they usually self-identify because they require an accommodation. Keep in mind, not all students are at ease with this process. Listen, and ask questions only about how the disability will impact them in your class and about the accommodations they are requesting. To qualify for disability accommodations, students must be registered with their campus DRC. Ask about their DRC registration status. If students are registered, they will have been assigned to a disability professional who can facilitate the accommodation process. Students who are not registered with the DRC must be informed and referred to the DRC to establish their eligibility for disability accommodations at ASU.

What should faculty and other teaching staff do if they suspect a student has a disability?

Approach the student as any other student having difficulty in class and inquire about what might be impacting progress. A student with a disability will likely disclose at this time, if difficulties are disability related. If this occurs, refer him/her to the DRC. If a student doesn’t disclose a disability, faculty should not tell the student he/she might have a disability. We recommend providing the student with a list of campus resources, e.g., Student Success Center, Counseling and Consultation, etc., and including the DRC.

What accommodations are required if a student discloses a disability after-the-fact (e.g., after failing an exam)?

Consistency in standards for all students is the guide for response to such requests. If exceptions are not made for any student after-the-fact, none are required for students with disabilities. However, if exceptions are made for other students, requests from students with disabilities must also be considered.

Is it essential to provide the requested disability accommodations?

Faculty/staff have a legal responsibility to provide reasonable and effective accommodations for qualified students with disabilities, as recommended by the DRC. Consideration should be given to accommodating students in the manner requested. However, there may be effective alternatives. When essential elements of a course are clearly defined, the appropriateness of a requested accommodation is clear or can be negotiated, thus avoiding inconsistencies in standards which could open the door to litigation.
NOTE: The laws protecting the rights of individuals with disabilities also protect the standards of the attending institutions. Students must meet essential course elements and follow established policies and procedures.

What are the faculty/staff responsibilities to qualified students with disabilities regarding textbooks and other in-class materials?

When faculty/staff receive a DRC text/book information request to facilitate alternative print conversions for qualified students in their classes, they must provide DRC requested information for textbooks. This means title, author, copyright, publisher, ISBN; and information for other required course reading materials, including a reading list (i.e., sequence of assigned chapters or sections and supplemental reading, not necessarily a syllabus) to the student or DRC by the required deadlines.
Lead time is essential for ordering, securing, and translating textbooks and other print materials into alternative print formats, e.g., Braille, large print, taped text, e-text, tactile charts, graphs, and diagrams. It is also essential for securing required print materials for Interpreter and Real Time Captioning (CART) provider preparation to ensure access to information for Deaf and hard of hearing students from the start of the semester.
Deadlines for compliance are specific, i.e., within ten days of receipt of the written request from the DRC. This typically comes via email, during each priority enrollment period. By working closely with students and the DRC, and meeting required deadlines, faculty and staff can facilitate access for students from the first day of class. NOTE: If the DRC does not get information when requested, the academic department may be financially responsible for additional expenses incurred by the DRC when contracting off-campus vendors for timely completion. For more information, see DRC policy: USI 701-07: Alternative Format Services at http://www.asu.edu/drc. In-class materials, e.g., reading lists, syllabus, handouts, overheads, videotapes, etc.: Faculty/staff have a legal responsibility to ensure that appropriate alternative formats are available to qualified students with disabilities along with their peers. The DRC has resources for translating materials to assist faculty in meeting this obligation.

What is assistive technology and will it alter what I teach?

Assistive technology (AT), as identified by the Assistive Technology Act of 1988, is “… any item, piece of equipment, or product system, whether acquired commercially, modified or customized, that is used to increase, maintain, or improve the functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities.” Within LCE and UDI based instruction, AT is used to endow curriculum materials with the flexibility necessary to serve diverse learners. Assistive technology will not alter what you teach. Lesson objectives remain the same for every student. However, presentation of the lesson objectives may vary depending on an individual student’s skills and abilities.

In case of emergency evacuation, how should faculty and staff advise individuals with disabilities who may need assistance?

Faculty and staff should be familiar with primary and alternate routes of evacuation and are responsible for directing emergency evacuation from their respective work areas. Unless given specific instruction to the contrary, they should:

Direct individuals with disabilities to avoid elevators, as elevators are operable by emergency rescue personnel only.
Guide individuals with disabilities who need assistance to the nearest exit or area of rescue (usually the stair landings) and if no smoke is present close any fire doors.
Let students know the first place rescue personnel will check for people needing evacuation assistance.
Leave the building and immediately notify the ASU Department of Public Safety of the location/s of the individual/s with disabilities in need of evacuation assistance.

What are some of the teaching techniques that can make a class more accessible?

following are just some of the common learner centered teaching techniques being used by many ASU faculty in their classes. These techniques improve learning for all students while facilitating access for students with disabilities:

Announcing in each class and on a syllabus, “…availability to privately discuss any needs, including disability accommodations” (for specific syllabus statement examples, or contact any campus DRC).
Meeting with interpreters and computer assisted real time (CART) or voice to text providers periodically to ensure communication access
Providing and adhering to a course syllabus which includes test/quiz dates and due dates for assignments
Providing lecture outlines, notes, and/or copies of overheads for all students to reference during class
Speaking clearly and slowing down if you typically speak quickly or have an accent
Introducing each lecture with a brief overview of the previous class information
Using verbal and visual highlighting for major concepts and terminology
Giving assignments both orally and in written form
Verbally describing or explaining charts, diagrams, and graphs
Demonstrating new procedures, whenever possible
Discussing information presented on the board or on transparencies
Encouraging active use of office hours for information clarification
Using cooperative learning techniques
Encouraging students to tape lectures or pair up to share and discuss the day’s lecture notes
Encouraging students to form study and discussion groups
Being student centered to create a low anxiety situation and optimal learning for the whole class
Approaching teaching and learning from a multi-sensory perspective
Encouraging peer learning and teaching
Using and creating materials that focus on students’ experiences, opinions, and reactions
Making sure course technology is accessible technology at point of purchase, e.g., computers, assistive listening equipment, captioned videos, in-class testing tools, etc. (Ask questions ahead of time.)
Assisting qualified students in finding student note takers or providing them with lecture notes
Contacting the DRC with questions and for assistance regarding individual student needs
Preparing course notes, handouts, and overheads in advance and making them available to all students, in advance, through an accessible website (Contact: Samuel DiGangi, Associate Vice President, University Technology Office, 480-965-2047)
Using voluntary student response options when possible to allow for differences in student response time
Incorporating and adhering to the Principles of Universal Design (UD) and Learner Centered Education (LCE) in all course materials, technological development and selection, e.g., DO-IT
Working closely with and participating in programs and classes sponsored by the ASU Center for Learning and Teaching Excellence (CLTE)

What kind of academic support, disability accommodations, and community referrals are available to qualified students at the DRC?

Academic and career consultation
Registration and advisement consultation and referrals
Individualized accommodations recommendations, advocacy support, training and consultation:
Assistive technology support
In-class note takers
Alternative print format services (e.g., Braille, large print, e-text)
Non-standard academic testing accommodations
Specialized equipment (e.g., assistive listening devices)
Sign language interpreting services
Computer assisted real time (CART) or voice to text services
Educational materials and lab equipment adaptations
Lab aides
Building and classroom access
Campus and community referrals, e.g.,
Department of Vocational Rehabilitation / Orientation and Mobility Services
Career Services
Academic Success Resources
TRiO Student Support Services (SSS) (referrals available to qualified ASU students through the Tempe DRC and on the West campus)

Are there DRC professionals available for faculty and staff consultation on each campus?

Yes. There is a Disability Resource Center (DRC) on each of the Tempe, West, Polytechnic and Downtown Phoenix ASU campuses, working closely with students, faculty, staff and each other to expedite answers to disability-related questions and concerns. Student-requested disability accommodations, such as DRC test proctoring, are provided on each campus. The Downtown Phoenix campus DRC also provides consultation and recommendations to assist faculty and staff at the Tucson component of the School of Social Work. The DRC mission in conjunction with the University’s goals is to facilitate access for qualified students. As such, the DRC staffs are continually working to strengthen and develop interdepartmental and community relationships that support faculty and staff in the disability accommodations process. Please contact the DRC on your campus for more information.

Additional Resources for Faculty

Additional Resources to assist faculty in Designing an Accessible Course /Classroom