Faculty FAQs
ARC Registration & Approval of Accommodations
How do I know if a student in my class is registered with ARC? Students will self-identify their disability status to ARC. Once accommodations are approved students should present you with a letter from ARC that verifies their need for accommodations and explains exactly what types of accommodations they will need in your course. This letter is usually sent to your email via CUNY Accommodate. You may also log into to view and verify Accommodation Letters of students in your class.
Please keep in mind that it is the student's responsibility to submit a Semester Request, preferably at the beginning of each term. This authorizes their letter to be sent via Accommodate. Students are also encouraged to discuss their registration with ARC and implemented accommodations with their professors.
How do I refer a student to ARC? Sometimes students with disabilities first disclose to their professors. When this happens, please refer students to ARC by sharing our contact information or by directing them to the . Please keep in mind that students with disabilities are not required to self-identify to ARC though they are encouraged to do so.
What are disability accommodations or academic adjustments? Accommodations/academic adjustments are reasonable modifications to programs, facilities, or curricula that ensure equal access and opportunity for students with disabilities. By definition, accommodations must be reasonable in nature and should not compromise course standards or fundamentally alter the curriculum. Examples of reasonable accommodations include sign-language interpreters, extended testing time, assistive technology, and note-taking services.
How are accommodations determined? Reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities are determined on an individual, case-by-case basis, according to documented need. Eligibility for accommodations is determined through a functional assessment of disability documentation in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section #504 of the Rehabilitation Act. Accommodations are determined by the professional staff in the disability services office in consultation with course instructors and other appropriate campus officials.
What if I don’t agree with the accommodations granted to a student by ARC? Professors are encouraged to speak to their campus disability services office should they have any concerns or questions regarding the appropriateness of reasonable accommodations.
Do accommodations give students with disabilities an unfair advantage? No. Accommodations are intended to provide an equal opportunity for students with disabilities. As such, they are designed to “level the playing field” for students with disabilities. Students with disabilities are expected to meet the same standard as all other students. In particular, like all other students, students with disabilities must meet all University academic criteria and course technical standards.
Confidentiality & Student Conduct
Who is permitted to know about a students disability status or accommodation needs? Student disability information is protected by Family Education Rights Protection Act (FERPA) and must be held in the strictest confidence. Any public disclosure of a student’s disability is a violation of this law. Please do not disclose a student's registration with ARC in front of, or in speaking to other students as this is a breach of confidentiality.
How should I handle a disruptive student who has a disability? Faculty should work closely with college disability services offices to address disruptive behavior that may be related to a student’s disability. Faculty should understand that while they are required to provide reasonable accommodations to students with disabilities, they are not required to tolerate behavior that is substantially disruptive to their ability to teach and to other students’ ability to learn. Indeed, students with disabilities should be held to the same code of conduct as all other members of the campus community.
When a student requests a copy of copyrighted material in an accessible format, does this violate copyright laws? No. Under copyright laws, students with disabilities are permitted to make one copy of copyrighted material in an accessible format for personal use.
Additional Faculty Resources
CUNY’s Council on Student Disability Issues (COSDI) publishes a to assist faculty in successfully carrying out their central role in relation to the University’s commitment to providing access to students with disabilities.