Section 508
As an online instructor, how would you work with the Office of Disability Services?
Donald,
But remember, you need to be proactive as possible.
Renee Shaffer
I would only work with the office of Disability Services if a particular student informed me that he or she was disabled. I would then recommend the student to the Office of Disability Services, and request from the student that he or she permit the ODS to chat with me regarding his or her disability, and what they think I can do to improved the quality of the instruction for that disabled person. Then, once I received said suggestions, I would go back to the disabled person, and inform them of the ODS suggestions. We would discuss what suggestions would be appropriate to implement, and what suggestions I should not implement. In any case, mutual consent is the order of the day here.
Donald L. Buresh
I would request a notification of students who has established their disabilities with the department. I would used this information to watch over those students closely and be readily available to assist them with their needs. Since these students have violated their disability, I would not violate any personnel health information act. I would ask the disability services to publish links and resources in my class to allow students to use these tools to help them succeed.
Hello Renee
At my university, we work closely with both student advising and the disability office to ensure that students with disabilities are accommodated in the proper manner with proper documentation, student outreach, allow additional time for students on assignments, and extra help via phone, tutoring, or email.
Brigitte Powell
I will plan to contact them to see if my classroom meets standards and what things can be done to make a more seemless process for students.
James,
This should do a lot to help the students become acclimated to your courses.
Renee Shaffer
Once a student is identified and placed in my class, I will reach out to the student to make them feel comfortable and level set class expectations.
Christopher,
It is so important to work with your office of disabilities. They can assist you!
Renee Shaffer
I don't think the involvement of the office would have to be continuous but I would let them know what I had planned for the students and ensure that the accommodations would fit those with disabilities and those who did not have disabilities. I would be cognizant of delivery methods and requirements.
I would coordinate to understand the ways that I can adjust my contact with the student, how often I should contact them, what type of accommodation they might require.
as both a human being and a professor I have been lucky enough having grown up in a family with strong willed people with disabilities. I also work for an educational facility that has most if not all policies and practices already established. This all makes it easy to comply.
I primarily use ODS in two ways:
- prior to building out an online course, I try to see what resources are available
- during a course, I use them as a referral source for students.
In the same way that I frequently promote Tech Support groups, I try to get students to see the Disability support in the same way.
- Rick
The schools I have worked for have made it eas to work with the ODS, as they have provided very clear guidelines on what I need to offer (and not offer) my ADA students. With schools who do not offer this (which is rare) I am proactive with how I intend to work with the student and disability. I share that plan with the program directors. This as always worked well.
Michelle,
Oh yes, perceived bureaucracy can be so detrimental to the online learner.
Renee Shaffer
I would be sure to be 'proactive' rather than reactive. If I have foreknowledge of a particular student's disability, I would get as much specific information as possible. I would also act as a mediator between students and the office for those students that may be intimidated by the perceived bureaucracy of the office.
George,
Many times the office of disability services is fighting an uphill battle with administrators over the federal law of accessbility with many sometimes believing (wrongly) that they don't have to provide accessibility to all.
Renee Shaffer
I would want to coordinate efforts with the Office of Disability Services to understand what they can bring to the table to accommodate students. I would rely on the experience of the office to assist me in preparing my classroom and instruction not only to comply with the law but to take advantage of lessons learned and progress that has been made to accommodate and educate disabled students. I think that students should be self-advocates in their progress toward an higher degree, but that they must also be aware that policies and procedures at the university are intended to help, not hinder, all students toward that end. I also think that the Office of Disability Services should be a key source of information for instructors and the students in the intent and execution of the law, as well as changes on the horizon.
wyshondia,
Very good ideas. Many times you will have students who would qualify for disability services but don't know about it.
Renee Shaffer
We also have an ADA coordinator at my school and she sends us emails to let us know of students with disabilities. We have to adhere to the rules outlined that there office has already made accommodations for. I try to make sure I keep the lines of communication open with her to ensure the student receives everything they need.
