Image Description: The image above is a still of a video animation scene of a disabled student applying for accommodations.
Note: The accommodation procedures detailed in this video have changed since the creation of the video. Specifically, students are no longer responsible for delivering their accommodation letters to faculty but they are still responsible for requesting them. The new process is discussed in detail when students meet with a DLRC staff member.
Syllabus Statements About Accommodations for Students with Disabilities
About Accommodations for Students with Disabilities
In order to ensure that students with disabilities are aware of the process by which they should request and receive disability accommodations, the Disability and Learning Resource Center (DLRC) recommends that faculty include the following statement on their course syllabi. The statement emphasizes that a student's first step in discussing or requesting disability accommodations should be contacting the DLRC. Once students have initiated contact with the DLRC, their disability documentation will be reviewed and a plan for reasonable accommodations/adjustments will be made. Once accommodations are approved through DLRC and students have requested faculty letters, the DLRC will send the accommodation letters directly to both students and faculty. The DLRC will work with instructors as needed to implement the approved accommodations. Instructors should encourage students who report disabilities to come to the DLRC and should not approve, deny, or provide accommodations/adjustments themselves. Instructors are encouraged to contact staff at the DLRC at any time (see contact info below) with questions about these statements or about the provision of accommodations to students with disabilities.
Syllabus Statement for Accommodations for Students with Disabilities
Accommodations for Students with Disabilities:
SAIC is committed to full compliance with all laws regarding equal opportunities for students with disabilities. Students with known or suspected disabilities, such as a Reading/Writing Disorder, ADHD, and/or a mental health condition who think they would benefit from assistance or accommodations should first contact the Disability and Learning Resource Center (DLRC) by phone at 312.499.4278 or email at dlrc@saic.edu. DLRC staff will review your disability documentation and work with you to determine reasonable accommodations. They will then provide both you and your instructor with a letter outlining your approved accommodations. You should contact the DLRC as early in the semester as possible. The DLRC is located on the 13th floor of the Lakeview Building, 116 South Michigan Avenue.
DLRC Support and Information Available for Faculty and Departments
Faculty are encouraged to contact DLRC anytime to discuss the following:
- Concerns about specific students with disabilities
- Assistance in determining whether and how to provide recommended accommodations such as attendance flexibility and flexibility with deadlines
- General questions about disabilities
- General questions about resources for students with disabilities at SAIC and in the community
- Clarification of procedures for providing disability accommodations to SAIC students
- Assistance in communicating more effectively with students with disabilities
- Information about the Americans with Disabilities Act and other legal requirements related to students with disabilities in Higher Education
DLRC staff is available to give presentations at departmental or other meetings, on a wide range of topics related to supporting students with disabilities at SAIC. Presentations can vary in length and the topic(s) can be tailored to the needs of the department. A few examples of presentation topics include:
- Overview of Disability and Learning Resource Center Process, Policies, and Services
- Overview of Disability Laws applying to Higher Education in the United States
- Overview of Laws and Policies related to Disability and Attendance/Grading
- Suggested Strategies for working with students with Learning Disabilities and ADD/ADHD
- Suggested Strategies for working with students with Physical Disabilities
- Suggested Strategies for working with students with Psychological Disabilities
- How to Create an Exhibition or Program Accessible for Students with Disabilities.
Questions?
Please do not hesitate to contact the DLRC Director should you have any questions or concerns.
Disability and Learning Resource Center School of the Art Institute of Chicago
116 S. Michigan Ave., 13th floor
Office: 312.499.4278
Email: dlrc@saic.edu
