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Enrollment Management
and Student Affairs

Disability Resource Center

A service for all students attending Portland State University

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116 Smith Memorial Student Union | 1825 SW Broadway | Portland, OR 97201
Phone: (503) 725-4150 | Fax: (503) 725-4103 | Email: drc@pdx.edu
At this time, Google Apps are not satisfactorily accessible for people who use screen reading software. Please do not use Google Docs in your classes because a student using a screen reader will not be able to access them.

Training and Support for Portland State University Faculty and Staff

If at any time you are unsure how to fulfill an accommodation request, or how to make the class accessible, please call the Disability Resource Center at (503) 725-4150.

In addition to providing academic accommodations for students, the DRC works with PSU faculty to identify strategies for working with students with disabilities. DRC professionals are available for consultation, training, and support for PSU faculty and staff. This includes:

  • One-on-one consultation
  • Web Accessibility and Universal Design for Instruction
  • Departmental presentations about DRC processes and procedures
  • Informational presentations about working with students with different types of disabilities

Accessiblity

Faculty are responsible for making sure that the class and information presented are accessible for all students. This includes online content such as web pages, electronic handouts, and audio or video content. The following resources can assist you in developing a fully accessible course:

Click here for a quick litmus test to see if a PDF is accessible.

Academic Accommodations

Accommodations provided for students with disabilities at Portland State University will vary according to the effects of a student's disability. The most commonly offered accommodations include:

  • A notetaker
  • Extended time on examinations
  • Books in alternative format
  • Sign language interpreters and real-time captioners

In general, any student registered with the DRC who receives accommodations fills out a service request with the DRC, and a faculty letter is emailed to you. The student is responsible for meeting with you to discuss their accommodations. You may be required to make an announcement in class to recruit a notetaker; to send a course syllabus to the DRC office so that books in alternative formats may be obtained; or to deliver an exam to the Testing Center (Room 310 of the University Center Building). This sample faculty letter contains most of the notes and special instructions that you may see. You can click here to download a copy of the Proctoring Form.

The DRC Faculty Handbook contains a wealth of information for instructors. In addition, if you have questions or concerns, please contact Jen Dugger or Darcy Kramer

.

There are three types of accommodations that are NOT considered reasonable:

  1. Making accommodations that create substantial changes in any essential element of the curriculum.
  2. Making accommodations or allowing participation that creates a direct threat to the health and safety of others.
  3. Making accommodations that substantially alter the manner in which you provide instruction. Please call us if you would like someone from the DRC to discuss scenarios for working with students with disabilities.

Syllabus Statement

All syllabi should have a statement inviting students with disabilities to make their need for accommodations known.*

Example:
"Accommodations are collaborative efforts between students, faculty, and the Disability Resource Center. Students with accommodations approved through the DRC are responsible for contacting the faculty member in charge of the course prior to or during the first week of the term to discuss accommodations. Students who believe they are eligible for accommodations but who have not yet obtained approval through the DRC should contact the DRC immediately."

Example:
"Accommodations are collaborative efforts between students, faculty and the Disability Resource Center (DRC). Students with accommodations approved through the DRC are responsible for contacting the faculty member in charge of the course prior to or during the first week of the term to discuss accommodations. Students who believe they are eligible for accommodations but who have not yet obtained approval through the DRC should contact the DRC immediately at 503-725-4150."

Example:
"If you are a student with a documented disability and are registered with the Disability Resource Center, please contact me (the instructor) immediately to facilitate arranging academic accommodations."

*IMPORTANT - When a student approaches you with a request for accommodations, you should ask them if they are registered with the DRC to ensure eligibility for services. If the student is not registered with the DRC, please refer them to our office to inquire about service eligibility. Feel free to ask the student about the types of accommodations that are needed, but do not ask specific questions regarding the diagnosis or ask to see the student's documentation of his/her disability. Students are required to self-identify and request accommodations to be eligible for services. Please contact the DRC if you have any questions.

There are symbols that you can put into documents, websites, and your syllabus. The DRC has compiled these symbols. Click here for the Word document.