Frequently Asked Questions
Why do students with disabilities often need testing accommodations?
Testing accommodations are designed to give the student equal access to the assessment
and evaluation methods of the course. Testing accommodations do not alter the content
of the exam or what the student is required to demonstrate on the exam, but rather
alter the administration of the exam. Examples of testing accommodations include large
print format, extended time to complete the exam, or a private testing environment
free of distractions. The intention of testing accommodations is to remove barriers
that traditional exam administration presents to the student due to their disability.
Does anyone who claims that they have a disability get accommodations?
No, it is likely that many students with disabilities have chosen not to be registered
with SASSI or they may not have met the eligibility criteria for services. In either
instance, faculty does not need to provide these students with accommodations.
Is it acceptable to ask a student who is having obvious difficulties whether they
have a disability or to refer the student to SASSI for disability support services?
No. It is a civil rights violation to ask directly about a possible disability. First,
the Americans with Disabilities Act states that a public entity may not make unnecessary
inquiries into the existence of a disability. These inquiries usually relate to hiring
or pre-admission screening, but when talking with students such inquiries should also
be avoided. A direct inquiry such as this could also be considered intrusive or insensitive.
You may simply tell the student that you notice they are having academic difficulty
and encourage him/her to come talk with you about gaining assistance, just as you
would with any student.
How do I know that my exam will be safe and that the student will get no unfair advantage
while testing in SASSI?
SASSI has developed a very systematic and secure procedure for getting exams from
faculty and returning them once the student has taken the exam. The Disability Coordinator
checks in and out each exam and no student is allowed to take the exam without authorization
from the professor. The Exam Registry Form, completed by the professor, is attached to each exam that is checked-in and should
have the specific instructions for the student(s) who is taking the exam. SASSI follows
any instructions left by the processor. While exams are at SASSI, they are kept in
a locked file cabinet that is housed in a locked office.