Accommodations
Providing the necessary accommodations to ensure complete access to, and full participation in, the educational process does not require the instructor to compromise academic standards when evaluating academic performance.
Rather, the accommodations make it possible for a student with a disability to truly learn the material presented, and for an instructor to fairly evaluate the student's understanding of the material.
Accommodations are made based on the documentation supplied by the student.
To obtain accommodations the student should contact the Disability Resource Center and present their documentation to the Director for review and verification. When the documentation is verified and approved, the student will be supported in his/her request for academic accommodations.
Academic Accommodation Letters are provided for the student to take to the professor to discuss specific needs.
Physical Impairments
While the degree of disability varies, students may have difficulty in getting to or from class, performing in class and managing out-of-class tests and assignments. In addition to physical accommodations and accessibility, students may require academic adjustments such as note takers, tape recorders, alternative test arrangements, and extension of deadlines. Occasional lateness and absences may be unavoidable. Personal adaptive items must be brought by the student.
Visual Impairments
Students with visual impairments may need the following modifications:
- note takers
- taped texts
- oral description of visually presented materials
- tape recorder for classroom lectures and discussions
- reserved seating
- test modifications
- large print copies
- planned field trips and assignments in advance to provide adaptations
- Personal adaptive items must be brought by the student.
Hearing Impairment
A variety of services are available to students with hearing impairments. Accommodations may include:
- Interpreters or transliterators
- FM listening devices
- note takers
- test modifications
- Personal adaptive items must be brought by the student.
Students and the interpreters or transliterators the Disability Resource Center employs for them should be fully aware of the UNCW Disability Resource Center policies. A copy of the Interpreter Handbook will be provided all parties as part of an orientation process.
To view the Interpreter Handbook: UNCW Interpreter Handbook
Additionally, individuals providing services to students with hearing impairments should be familiar with the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID)'s Code of Professional Conduct: http://www.rid.org/ethics/code/index.cfm
Specific Learning Disabilities
Students with learning disabilities have specific academic deficiencies. Accommodations are based on these academic needs. These accommodations may include but are not limited to the following:
- alternative format textbooks
- note takers
- tape recorder for lectures and discussions
- test modifications
- assistive technology devices
Speech Impairments
Speech impairments range from problems with articulation or voice strength to complete loss of voice. Some of these difficulties can be managed by such mechanical devices as electronic "speaking machines" or computerized voice synthesizers. Speech impairments can be aggravated by the anxiety inherent in oral communication in a group. As a result, course modifications such as one-to-one presentations may be considered.
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