Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

Understanding and Using student accommodation notices

Posted by anne.grey

Presenters: Martha Bailey, Rosemary DiSiervi, and Shaun Williams.

Summary

This session focuses on helping faculty understand and use student accommodation notices to support equitable access for students. The presenters discuss the purpose of accommodations, how faculty can respond to notices, and how accommodations help remove barriers without changing the essential learning goals of a course.

The presentation also explores the importance of creating learning environments where students feel comfortable using approved accommodations. Faculty practices, communication, and course design can affect whether students feel supported and able to participate fully in their classes.

The session connects individual accommodations with broader inclusive teaching practices. Examples include providing course materials in advance, offering appropriate flexibility in how students demonstrate learning, and considering barriers that may affect students before they ask for additional support.

Faculty are encouraged to work collaboratively with Accessible Education and Disability Resources when questions arise about accommodations, course requirements, or how to support a student while maintaining the academic expectations of the course.

Slides: Understanding and Using Student Accommodation Notices

Presentation outcomes

• Understand the purpose of student accommodation notices and how they support equitable access.
• Recognize the role faculty play in implementing approved accommodations.
• Discuss how accommodations remove barriers without providing an unfair academic advantage.
• Identify inclusive teaching practices that can support students with a range of access needs.
• Consider how communication and course design can affect whether students feel comfortable using accommodations.
• Recognize when to collaborate with Accessible Education and Disability Resources for additional guidance.