While many courses are switching to an online format, it is important that we together continue to meet the requirements of approved academic accommodations and the provision of accessible content for students with disabilities.

One of the key steps to take is to ensure that your syllabus outlines all expectations and requirements from the beginning of the semester including all assignments, required books and readings, research projects, project due dates, exam/quiz dates, etc.

Once students complete the Office for Student Accessibility registration they are eligible to begin using accommodations. Each semester and for every class, students must request an Accommodation Letter via the Accommodate portal. Accommodations are not retroactive and begin from the date of formal notification. The Accommodation Letter will be given to you by the student and outlines approved reasonable accommodations that will allow the student to fully access the course.

Test proctoring is a service provided by Testing Services at Northern Kentucky University. You are welcome to use Testing Services to proctor exams for students who have approved accommodations through Student Accessibility Services. As an alternative to using Testing Services, you may choose to proctor your own exams. Please ensure you can provide the requested accommodations before proctoring exams.

Disability information is private. Information about a student’s Office for Student Accessibility registration and accommodations should be held in strict confidence. OSA complies with FERPA guidelines and can discuss student progress to support coordination of services for the student’s educational benefit. OSA welcomes you to contact the office at any time concerning student needs.

Students are encouraged to self-disclose their need for accommodations to the Office for Student Accessibility as soon as a need for an accommodation is evident. You are not required or expected to accommodate a disability about which you are not informed or made aware. If you encounter a student who discloses that they have a disability, you should inquire whether they are registered with OSA; and if not, you should encourage them to do so. You should not seek to make accommodation arrangements on your own. If a student requests a disability-related accommodation for which you have not been notified of, please refer him or her immediately to OSA, and document your referral in your records. It is both the responsibility of the student and the faculty member to engage in a good-faith interaction, along with the Office for Student Accessibility, in order to cooperate for development of a reasonable accommodation.