|
When
determining which accommodations will be appropriate and beneficial
for each student, a DSPS professional considers two major factors:
the functional limitations of the student and the demands of the
course.
Functional Limitations
After
interviewing the student and reviewing all relevant documentation,
assessment results, transcripts and records, the DSPS counselor or
specialist identifies the specific functions that are being limited
by the physical and/or cognitive disability. For example, a student
with low ability in short-term auditory memory may be limited in
his/her ability to take lecture notes.
Course Demands
Each student must meet with a DSPS counselor or specialist at the
beginning of every semester. We review the student’s class schedule
and identify the demands of each class. We consider factors such as
the amount of lecturing, the number and types of tests given, the
difficulty of the reading requirements, the amount and type of
writing required, and the student’s familiarity with the subject. We
also consider the students’ learning strengths and preferred
learning modalities.
Once the
functional limitations, the learning strengths, and the course
demands are identified, the Learning Specialist recommends
appropriate accommodations. These accommodations will always meet
three criteria:
-
They must meet the legal requirements of Section 504 and the ADA
as preventing exclusion from participation in the college’s
educational program.
-
They must be reasonable. They can not place an undue burden on
the resources of the college or the DSPS program.
-
They can not alter any of the course requirements that are
essential to the instructional program.
|
