DRC Resources for Faculty

In addition to providing academic accommodations for students, the DRC works with PSU faculty to identify strategies for most effectively working with students with disabilities. Accommodations provided for students with disabilities at PSU will vary according to the disability of the student. The most commonly offered accommodations include:

  • A notetaker
  • Extended time on examinations
  • Books on tape and electronic text (e-text)
  • Sign language interpreters and real-time captioners

In general, any student registered with the DRC who is provided the above accommodations should give you instructions on how to fulfill the accommodation. It may require you to make an announcement in class to solicit for a notetaker, to get a course syllabus to the DRC office so that books-on-tape may be procured, or to bring an exam to the DRC testing center (435 Smith Memorial Student Union). If, at any time, you are unsure how to fulfill an accommodation request, please call the Disability Resource Center at (503) 725-4150.

There are three types of accommodations that are NOT considered reasonable:

  1. Making accommodations that create substantial changes in any essential element of the curriculum
  2. Making accommodations or allowing participation that creates a direct threat to the health and safety of others
  3. Making accommodations that substantially alter the manner in which you provide instruction. Please call us if you would like someone from the DRC to discuss scenarios for working with students with disabilities

Syllabus Statement

All syllabi should have a statement inviting students with disabilities to make their need for accommodations known.*

Examples:

"If you have a disability and are in need of academic accommodations, please notify me (the instructor) immediately to arrange needed supports."

"If you are a student with a documented disability and registered with the Disability Resource Center, please contact me (the instructor) immediately to facilitate arranging academic accommodations."

*IMPORTANT - When a student approaches you with a request for accommodations, you should ask them whether they are registered with the DRC to ensure eligibility for services. If the student is not registered with the DRC, please refer them to our office to inquire about service eligibility. Feel free to ask the student about the types of accommodations that are needed, but do not ask specific questions regarding the diagnosis or ask to see the student's documentation of his/her disability. Students are required to self-identify and request accommodations to be eligible for services. Please contact the DRC if you have any questions.

Click here for DRC Faculty Handbook