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DSS

Our Commitment to Equal Opportunity

Students with disabilities are partners in their own academic success.  They respond to the same expectations and assume the same responsibilities as their non-disabled peers, albeit WITH the support of Disability Services for Students and reasonable accommodations.

Persons with disabilities are assured reasonable access to programs, opportunities, and activities at the University of Rhode Island that is equal to the access afforded non-disabled persons.

Inclusion of persons with disability in all aspects of life at the University will benefit the community and improve the quality of life within the University community.

Therefore, accessibility beyond the minimum requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act/Section 504 of the 1973 Rehabilitation Act, is the standard.

Disability is a concern of cultural diversity/equal opportunity, therefore accessibility is a community concern.

Achieving full participation and integration of people with disabilities requires the cooperative efforts and responsibility of all the University's departments, offices, and personnel.

Colleagues from diverse areas of expertise collaborate to create an accessible environment.

To this end, the University will continue to strive to achieve excellence in its services and to assure that its services are delivered equitably and efficiently to all of its members.

Student Rights and Responsibilities
Rights:
  • Nondiscrimination. Equal access.
  • Individualized Assessments
  • Right to not disclose specific disability to faculty. (Confidentiality)
  • Effective academic adjustments/aids
Responsibilities:
  • Request “reasonable” modification.
  • Meet eligibility standard for qualified status.
  • Provide necessary information to Disability Services to obtain Accommodation Letter.
  • Present Accommodation Letter to faculty for signatures.
  • Make best effort to demonstrate mastery of course material.

(Source: Educating Students with Disabilities: A Shared

Responsibility – NASPA 1995)

Faculty Rights and Responsibilities
Rights:
  • Right to determine content of each course, and how it is taught.
  • Decide how to best instruct students and assess student learning.
  • Consult with knowledgeable professionals on methods to accommodate learning needs of students with disabilities.
  • Right to be informed of accommodation needs early in each semester, to be able to support students with disabilities.
  • Right to maintain academic standards of courses.
  • Question and negotiate specific accommodations to ensure that they will not change essential requirements of course.
  • Right to award grades appropriate to the level of student’s demonstration of mastery of material.
  • Right to fail a student who does not show mastery of course requirements.
  • Be treated respectfully be all students.Enforce student handbook policies equally for all students.
Responsibilities:
  • Maintain student confidentiality by not asking for specific information on student disability.
  • Sign Accommodation Letter from Disability Services in a timely manner.
  • Understand policies and law regarding students with disabilities.
  • Communicate , early in semester, availability of support for students with disabilities to students through institution of higher education.
  • Understand that some behaviors are not related to disability, and that there is no obligation to treat these students differently than any other.
  • Reasonably accommodate students who provide documentation of a disability through Disability Services.

(Source: http://www.rosscenter.umb.edu/text/sh5.htm#five)