New Faculty Notification Process in Place for Students With Disability-Related Accommodations

The Center for Educational Access will be sending letters about the disability-related academic accommodation needs of students directly to their instructors via email, starting this semester.

This new process is being initiated to streamline communication among the student, instructor and the Center for Educational Access, and to more efficiently provide required accommodations for students in the academic setting. The student will still be actively involved in the accommodation process, and is required to meet with the faculty members to introduce themselves and to review the needed adjustments.

"A key function of the CEA is to provide guidance to faculty on how best to facilitate accommodations in order to meet the legal obligations of the University of Arkansas under governing law, such as the Americans with Disabilities Act," said Anne Jannarone, director of the Center for Educational Access. "We urge instructors to contact us to discuss the implementation of any approved accommodations, or for any other questions regarding the letters or the university's obligations regarding disability-related accommodations for students."

The change to email delivery will enable Center for Educational Access staff to ensure that instructors are notified of student accommodation need more efficiently. Electronic delivery allows the use of links for additional information on accommodations that formerly were lengthy attachments.

Communication between the Center for Educational Access and instructors is often necessary with more complex accommodations, such as the need to provide print materials in digital format for students with low vision. The intent of electronic delivery is to encourage more communication between instructors and the center to ensure appropriate accommodations are in place.

"Instructors can simply reply to the email with any questions," Jannarone said. "Students are still required to meet with their instructors to discuss the logistics on how accommodations will be implemented."

Students and faculty are being notified about this change in procedures through and email.