Instructor Responsibilities & Guidelines

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Your role in accessible education
Key responsibilities
Follow general accessibility guidelines/principles
Guide individual students with specific access needs
Implement DRS-approved accommodations
Accommodation guidelines for additional instructional personnel
Information sharing process

Follow general accessibility guidelines/principles

You play an important role in ensuring that we meet the University’s legal responsibility to provide accessible learning environments.

Incorporating accessibility from the start of your course planning benefits all students and reduces the need for individual accommodations. Key elements include:

• Identifying and communicating clear course objectives
• Ensuring digital content meets accessible technology standards
• Using Universal Design and other inclusive teaching methods that accommodate diverse learning styles

Federal and/or State Policy

The ADA expects the University to have a proactive approach to accessibility, meaning designing courses with accessibility in mind from the start.

Note

DRS is not the department on campus that helps instructors make their courses accessible. We are the department that facilitates specific accommodations for an individual student. However, we’ve put together a Creating Accessible Courses page to guide you to relevant campus resources.

Guide individual students with specific access needs

If a student faces a barrier to accessing your course/program, refer them to DRS. Recognize when students might benefit from DRS services and guide them appropriately:

• Include the DRS syllabus statement in your course materials
• Direct students to DRS who disclose disabilities to you or request accommodations
• Maintain student privacy during conversations with colleagues or departments
• Do not assume a student’s ability or barriers based on your observation
• Do not discriminate on the basis of disability

University of Washington Policy

In accordance with SGP 208, it is the policy of the University to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified students with disabilities and to afford them an equal opportunity to participate in and enjoy the benefits of University courses, programs, services, and activities.

Implement DRS-approved accommodations

If your course is not accessible for a student with a disability, then adjustments are necessary. That’s where accommodations can come in.

Accommodations address specific access needs for an individual student. When you receive notification of accommodation(s) from DRS, you are required by University policy to implement the approved accommodations. Your responsibilities include:

• Reviewing and implementing approved accommodations promptly
• Communicating with students about how accommodations will be implemented
• Maintaining student confidentiality according to FERPA guidelines
• Ensuring relevant instructional personnel (such as TAs) implement accommodations
• Consulting with DRS when questions arise (you must continue to implement an accommodation during any consultation process)

Federal and/or State Policy

Instructors must abide by FERPA and UW Policy Confidentiality Requirements.

University of Washington Policy

In accordance with SGP 208, instructional personnel are responsible for implementing approved reasonable accommodations in a timely manner. Approved accommodations may not be unilaterally denied or modified. Any concerns about implementing approved accommodations should be directed to the DRS office, or through the Instructional Personnel Reconsideration Process. Accommodations must continue to be implemented as described until alternatives are decided with DRS and course personnel.

Implementation Options

You have the option to utilize DRS to help you implement some accommodations. For example, DRS manages a Testing Center where students with testing accommodations can take their exams. If you choose to have DRS implement an accommodation, there are specific DRS processes and deadlines that you must meet so that UW can maintain legal compliance. If you choose to implement an accommodation on your own, you must ensure that you are doing so in a timely manner.

Learn more on the Implementing Accommodations page.

Information sharing process

Determine which accommodations will involve additional personnel to implement. For each accommodation, clearly communicate:

• The specific procedures they need to follow
• Their role in the implementation process
• The boundaries of their responsibilities
• When to refer questions to you or DRS

While additional personnel may assist with implementation, you remain responsible as the primary instructor of record for ensuring accommodations are properly provided. Maintain oversight of additional personnels’ accommodation-related activities throughout the quarter.

Contact the DRS Access Coordinator listed on the FNL or Notification Letter if you need guidance on managing accommodation implementation with your teaching team.