Common DDS scenarios instructors may encounter.

1. What do you do
when…
A student discloses having a disability?

2. What do you do when…
A student discloses having a disability?
Answer: Ask the student to make an
appointment to meet with the DSS
Coordinator on campus. The Coordinator
will assist the student with
accommodations.

3. What do you do
when…
A student presents a Letter of Accommodation?

4. What do you do when…
A student presents a Letter of Accommodation?
Answer: Take time to meet with the student
privately to discuss each accommodation and
how the accommodation will be implemented
in the course. The DSS Coordinator is
available to offer suggestions or clarify the
accommodation. The accommodation is not
negotiable after it is received by the instructor.
Record the date you received the
accommodation on the letter and place it in a
confidential file.

5. What do you do
when…
A student requests help to recruit a note taker?

6. What do you do when…
A student requests help to recruit a note taker?
Answer: The instructor can approach a student who is a
consistent attendee and quality note taker to ask the student to
share their notes for the duration of the course. Another
approach is to announce to the class that a note taker is requested
by a student who qualifies for an accommodation. Do not identify
the student. Volunteer note takers should be directed to meet
with the Coordinator of DSS to receive training and sign the note
taker agreement. Note takers can receive a gift certificate or enroll
in a free 1 credit course. If a note taker is not available contact the
Coordinator of DSS to make another arrangement.

7. What do you do
when…
A student asks for special considerations without a
letter of accommodation?

8. What do you do when…
A student asks for special considerations without
a letter of accommodation?
Answer: If this is not an exception that you
would provide to every student in your class
then ask the student to meet with the DSS
Coordinator to see if the student qualifies for
an accommodation based on limited access
due to a disability.

9. What do you do
when…
A student who receives accommodations has excessive
absences?

10. What do you do when…
A student who receives accommodations has excessive absences?
Answer: Absences due to a disability can be considered for
accommodations. This is typically done by arranging a
meeting with the student, instructor, and DSS Coordinator
to ascertain the impact of the absences on the course
requirements. Students are held responsible to complete
the requirements of the course. Accommodations are not
retroactive so students who anticipate a problem attending
are encouraged to discuss the situation with the instructor
or DSS Coordinator at the beginning of the quarter.
Absences that are not directly related to the disability are
subject to the same standard as other students in the
course.

11. What do you do
when…
A student announces having a disability during class?

12. What do you do when…
A student announces having a disability during the class?
Answer: Direct the student to meet with the
Disability Coordinator on campus if
accommodations are desired. Instructors are
not obligated to accommodate a student who
informs them of having a disability unless the
instructor receives a written notification that
lists the appropriate accommodations.

13. What do you do
when…
A student displays behavior that is unusual but not
disruptive?

14. What do you do when…
A student displays behavior that is unusual but not disruptive?
Answer: The Disability Coordinator or Counselors are
available to provide information and suggestions to
instructors. It is inappropriate to try to diagnose or
ask a student about a disability.
Disruptive behavior is reported to the Vice President
of Student Services.