Frequently Asked Questions
What does the AccessABILITY Resource Services Office do?
The ARS Office provides reasonable academic accommodations to students with disabilities.
How do I know if students in my class have disabilities?
Professors will receive an email stating that a student in their class has accommodations which requires their electronic signature in the ARS Accommodate system. Professors may log in using their Net ID and AWC password. Passwords can be reset by the ARS office if there is an issue logging in.
How do I know if the student's accommodations are appropriate?
In order to receive accommodations students must provide documentation about their disability. This documentation must be written by a specialist in their disability. The documentation must state the level of severity of the disability, how the disability will affect their learning, what tests were conducted to determine this, what accommodations are appropriate, and why those accommodations are appropriate. You will know a student's accommodations are appropriate because the specialist has recommended those accommodations. However, not all accommodations recommended by the specialist are given to the student.
What if I don't agree with the way a student wants to use the accommodation?
Federal law requires that colleges must provide reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities. The accommodation must be reasonable and can be applied in different ways. If you believe the accommodation should be modified, please contact the ARS Office to discuss the modification. Remember that equal access is the goal.
Am I jeopardizing academic standards when I accommodate a student with a disability?
No! The accommodation provides the student with equal access to learning. Accommodations are not to alter the fundamental requirements of the course.
Am I discriminating against students without disabilities when I grant accommodations?
No. Accommodations, such as extended time on tests, are to provide equality in access to learning. For example, a student who is blind and is reading a test in Braille will need more time to read the test than will a sighted student. Therefore, extended time is given.
What is the Assistive Technology Lab?
The Assistive Technology Lab, located in LR 52, has software, hardware and other equipment which assists with equal access for students with disabilities to do their homework outside the classroom. For example, JAWS software reads what is on the computer screen so a student who is blind can type a paper or do research on the internet. Assistive Technology Lab
Faculty may email me at anytime with questions at lisa.swenson@azwestern.edu