Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why am I not informed of the nature of a student's disability and the reasons for requesting accommodation?

A: Student Disability Services cannot divulge specific information regarding a student's disability because of a human rights obligation to maintain confidentiality. Students are not obligated to disclose specific information about their disability. From our experience, we find that most students will freely disclose to their instructors; however, there are some who are uncomfortable doing so.

Q: A student came to me with a "Letter of Accommodation". What am I supposed to do with it?

A: As an instructor, it is important that you be “in the loop” regarding the accommodations which are being provided to the student. The student may require classroom accommodations which you are entitled to know about, or for which we may be requesting minimal assistance. If you have questions or concerns about specific accommodation recommendations, you are encouraged to contact the SDS Advisor indicated on the Letter of Accommodation. The letter is simply for your information, however you will be asked by the student to sign an acknowledgement that the letter was delivered to you.

Q: If only some students are getting these accommodations, how is this fair to other students?

A: The rationale for academic accommodation is based on the concept of "equity". This means levelling the playing field so that students with disabilities can compete on an equal footing with their non-disabled peers. Therefore, equity necessitates differential treatment. Sometimes, people confuse equity with "equality", which refers to non-discriminatory (hence similar) treatment on the basis of gender, race, ethnicity, creed, religion, sex orientation or disability. Academic accommodation is intended to allow students to compete equitably, without sacrificing essential course requirements.

Q: If a student requests an accommodation that is not specified on his or her Letter of Accommodation for my course, what should I do?

A: If it is a request that you feel does not compromise the academic standards of your course and that you can easily accommodate, it is your right as an instructor to grant it. Students with disabilities should receive at least the same teaching supports you would provide to any other students. If however, support is being offered to a student based on your knowledge of a disability when it would not normally be provided to any student, it is recommended that you check with the SDS Advisor indicated on the Letter of Accommodation to verify that the student has appropriate documentation to support such a request.

Q: Do I need to modify my typical grading process for someone with a disability?

A: No, however you may be asked to consider allowing students to provide evidence of what they have learned in different but equally challenging formats (i.e. oral, instead of in written form, or vice versa). The opportunity to write tests and examinations outside of the regular format is a fairly typical accommodation granted to students with disabilities. However, the completed work should be treated no differently from that of other students in your class, and the essential elements of the course should not be compromised.

Q: A student in one of my classes works with an interpreter during the class. How do I arrange for the interpreter to get a copy of the Courseware and textbook so that he/she can prepare for class?

A: To obtain a desk copy of Courseware for an interpreter, instructors are asked to contact Document Imaging and make the request as early in the term as possible so that interpreters can receive a copy in a timely manner. To obtain a desk copy of a textbook, instructors are required to contact the book publisher.

Q: A student of mine works with an interpreter in class. In order to prepare for lectures, the interpreter needs to have access to my CLEW site. How do I arrange this?

A: In order to give interpreters access to a course CLEW site, instructors are to contact helpdesk@uwindsor.ca where instructors will be provided with a sponsorship form that will allow them to grant interpreters access to the site.

Q: I received a Letter of Accommodation which states that the student is allowed to make audio recordings of my lectures. Must I comply?

A: The University of Windsor has developed a policy (Senate Policy A4: Policy on Audio-Recording of Lectures by Students with Disabilities), which clearly spells out the student’s responsibilities while acknowledging the rights and intellectual property of faculty. Students who receive this accommodation are required to sign a policy agreement which limits their use of the recorded material and clearly outlines the rights of the instructor. If you think that specific circumstances in your class indicate against the use of recording devices, you are encouraged to contact the SDS Advisor indicated on the Letter of Accommodation, who may assist in finding an alternative accommodation that meets the student’s needs and fulfills the University’s duty to accommodate.
Policy on Audio-Recording of Lectures by Students with Disabilities (pdf)

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