FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)
For Faculty
How does a student register with the Office of Disability Services?
Students come to the office in a variety of ways. They may register in the fall of their first semester or anytime during their academic career. Many students have been served as a student with a disability in high school and, as such, may have some documentation to show a disability. Under ADA/504 laws students must have current documentation that shows a disability, and it must address current functional limitations that warrant an accommodation.
A student should submit documentation from the appropriate practitioner to begin the registration process. In addition, a voluntary disclosure form should be submitted. After submission, the documentation will be reviewed to determine if the student is eligible for services.
At times students may need additional time to get paper work completed for registration. ODS will work with students for one semester while they get the appropriate documentation as long as the student shows proof of an attempt to secure this documentation. These students are not protected under the ADA; therefore, faculty members are not required to serve them.
Who determines the accommodations for students with disabilities?Each semester students are required to meet with an ODS counselor. At that time the student and counselor will review the accommodations based on the syllabus for each class.
Accommodations are based on the academic needs of the student, which are outlined in the documentation provided. The documentation must link functional limitations to the need for a specific accommodation.
Click here to review our documentation guidelines.
What types of accommodations are professors required to make?Professors will receive an ODS letter of accommodation from the student at the beginning of each semester informing them of the student’s disability and what accommodations have been approved for them. Faculty are encouraged to speak to the student about these accommodations and, at any time, are encouraged to speak to a disability counselor if they believe the requested accommodations fundamentally alter what is being taught and measured in the classroom.
Am I required to alter my test format (ex. number of multiple choice questions, essays, short answer, etc) or course standards for a student with a disability? Do I have to alter my attendance policy for students whose disabilities affect attendance?Students with disabilities are expected to be evaluated in the same manner as students without disabilities. ODS can provide accommodations to make exams accessible to students with disabilities. In addition students with disabilities are expected to fulfill all of the course requirements, including attendance, for a class. Please refer to the ODS Policies and Procedures for the class attendance policy.
If a student discloses a disability midway through the semester, am I required to accommodate previous work submitted in the course?Accommodations are not made retroactively. Students are encouraged to disclose their disability early in the semester so that the necessary accommodations can be implemented, and it is the student’s responsibility to do so. Thus, you are not required to accommodate previous coursework that has been submitted for evaluation.
How can disability services assist in providing the identified accommodations?ODS can work directly with faculty members to help determine the accommodations needed for specific courses. Accommodations are determined on an individualized basis for each student and the documentation must link the functional limitations to the need for a specific accommodation.
If I object to an accommodation for a student, how should I proceed?Contact ODS and speak with a counselor regarding your concerns.
How should I make a referral to the Office of Disability Services?You can call our office at 334-5440 and speak with a counselor about a student you would like to refer.
What is the process used for test proctoring at Disability Services?Students approved for testing accommodations are encouraged to be proctored by the faculty member, but may choose, with the agreement of the faculty member, to be proctored in the ODS office. If the student is to take their exam at ODS they should schedule tests at least 2 days prior to the scheduled test and at least 5 days prior to midterm exams and finals. Students will complete part I of the Testing Accommodations Request form and will ask professors to complete part II of the form. Students are expected to discuss testing accommodations with their faculty in a timely manner. Once the form is completed it should be turned in to ODS by the student. Tests are proctored in testing rooms under the supervision of ODS staff. A testing accommodation form must be filed for every exam the student plans to have proctored at ODS.
What should I do if I think that the student is pushing to get better grades because of a disability?Grades should be assigned based on merit, not disability status. If the student has requested and received appropriate accommodations in the course ensuring equal access, then the student’s disability status should not have an impact on the grade they receive in class. Please note that students with disabilities who apply to UNCG are expected to meet the same admissions criteria as students without disabilities.
Doesn’t the provision of accommodations provide an unfair advantage for the student with a disability?Students with disabilities may have different learning styles than the traditional student. Therefore, accommodations provide equal access for students with disabilities to learn in the academic environment.
For Students
Will disclosing my disability become part of my permanent records/transcript?
All documentation submitted to ODS will remain in the office, separate from a student’s academic record.
Do I need to register with your office more than once?A student only needs to register with ODS once. However, if a request for alternate accommodations is made, then additional documentation may be requested to support the request. Under the Federal Education and Rights to Privacy Act (FERPA) institutions are only required to keep academic records for five years. If students are returning to UNCG after an extended absence, ODS may ask that they provide current documentation outlining their functional limitations.
Do I have to disclose my disability to my instructors?If a student is expecting a classroom accommodation, then they are responsible for telling their instructors they have a disability and providing them with an ODS accommodation letter from the ODS office. Details specific to the disability do not have to be disclosed. ODS counselors work closely with students to assist them with the self-disclosure process.
Will others treat me differently if they know that I have a disability?All students at UNCG have the right to be treated fairly. Students who feel they have been treated unfairly should immediately report their concerns to the staff in ODS.
What steps can I take if I feel that I have been treated unfairly, discriminated against or not provided my requested accommodations based upon my disability?The first step a student should take is to contact ODS. Additional procedures are outlined in our Policies and Procedures.
Is my 504 Plan or IEP enough documentation to get accommodations?504 plans and individualized educational plans are not sufficient documentation for higher education. For more information about the necessary documentation, please review our Documentation Guidelines.
What do I do if I have a temporary disability such as a broken arm or leg?Students with a temporary disability may be temporarily served by ODS staff. Accommodations will be provided based on the needs outlined in the documentation the student provides. Please note that the University does not offer transportation or special parking services to students.
Why does your office need documentation?We need documentation in order to provide individualized accommodations based on a student’s functional limitations associated with their disability. Without this documentation, we will not be able to determine the necessary accommodations to assist students.
Where can I get testing if I suspect that I have a disability?Students can get tested anywhere as long as the appropriate licensed professional is conducting the testing. There are three UNCG clinics that can conduct testing for various disabilities for a fee.
The ADHD CLINIC is located at 1100 West Market Street, Greensboro, NC 27403. They can be reached at (336) 346-3192. Call for an appointment which is on a first come-first served basis. Diagnostic procedures are available for attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder.
The PSYCHOLOGY CLINIC is located in the Department of Psychology, 1100 West Market Street, Greensboro, NC 27403. They can be reached at (336) 334-5662. Call for an appointment which is on a first come-first served basis. Diagnostic procedures are available for learning disabilities and other psychological disorders.
The SPEECH AND HEARING CENTER is located in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, 300 Ferguson Building on the campus of UNCG. They can be reached at (336) 334-5939. Services included hearing evaluations, central auditory processing evaluations, hearing aids, aural rehabilitation, electronystagmography, and electrophysiology.
How do I get copies of my documentation?Once documentation is submitted to our office, it becomes part of our permanent records. We are unable to make copies of documentation once it has been submitted to our office; however, we can forward the documentation to an authorized party (ex. another university) if a student signs a release form permitting us to do so. We suggest that students make copies of their documentation for their own personal records prior to submitting them to ODS.
Are there scholarships available for students with disabilities?There are three scholarships available to students with disabilities. Information regarding these scholarships is sent each spring to students registered with ODS.
The Joe Illman Memorial Scholarship is available to students who demonstrate motivation, determination, persistence, scholarship and ingenious alternative means for problem solving. Financial need must be demonstrated.
The Preyer Scholarship is available to UNCG students who are deaf or currently in the field of deaf education. Financial need must be demonstrated.
Ray G. and Nancy Jo Paschall Ledford ’57 Scholarship is available to UNCG undergraduate students in good academic standing and who are registered with ODS. Preference will be given to students with physical impairments such as medical, mobility, visual, hard of hearing or deaf students.
What help can I get regarding professional and graduate school testing (ex. GRE, LSAT, GMAT)?Each standardized test requires different documentation for accommodations. Students should review the appropriate websites for specific requirements and speak with an ODS counselor after reviewing these requirements. Please note that documentation required to register with ODS may be distinctly different than the documentation that is required by the testing organization.
For Parents
What is my role as a parent who has a college student with a disability?
It is imperative that parents remain supportive of their students throughout the college process. This is a time for students to grow and develop their identities, and they will need a strong support system.
In high school, teachers keep me informed of how my son or daughter is doing in classes. Will a professor contact me if my student is having difficulties in class?As adults, students are held accountable for their coursework and grades. Professors will not contact parents if a student is performing poorly in class. Students are expected to communicate with faculty directly regarding their academic progress.
Can I speak with a staff member about my son or daughter’s schedule so that I can help them plan the semester?UNCG has academic advisors that are skilled with providing students with guidance regarding the appropriate coursework they must take. Family members may speak with the student directly related to their coursework and academic requirements. Additionally, a student may be eligible for priority registration, based on disability. Eligibility for priority registration will be determined by an ODS staff member in a scheduled meeting with the student, after they have met with their academic advisor.
The University of North Carolina at Greensboro
Suite 215 EUC
Greensboro, NC 27402-6170
VOICE 336.334.5440
FAX 336.334.4412
EMAIL ods@uncg.edu