Disability Awareness Month Tips: Supporting and obtaining student access

The Accessibility Committee and the Academic Resource Center (ARC) are providing weekly disability and accessibility tips this month for Disability Awareness Month.

Tip #3: Student access

This week's tip provides assistance for both students and faculty in regards to obtaining and supporting access to students' educations at Webster University.

Obtaining access

Obtaining student access can be done by the student independently or with help from faculty. No matter the process, students and faculty are always encouraged to reach out to the Academic ADA coordinator for support via email or by phone at (314) 246-7700. Below are the steps to obtain access:

• The student will need to set up an appointment with the Academic ADA Coordinator to request accommodations. If the student comes to a faculty member first, they should be directed to get in touch with the ADA Coordinator using the contact info above.
• Before the scheduled meeting, the student will need to gather certain documentation. A list for what documents are needed can be found on the ARC website.
• After meeting with the Academic ADA Coordinator, and accommodations are secured, a letter will be provided to the student and faculty.

Supporting student access

Four different scenarios can play out as faculty work to support student access. Listed below are the scenarios and the proper responses to help support students’ access to their educations at Webster University.

Scenario #1: Student discloses disability and/or need for accommodations by providing the faculty member their letter of ADA accommodations.

• Faculty verifies receipt of student's letter, received via email from disability@webster.edu.
• Faculty and student have a continuing conversation about the accommodations provided.
• Faculty and student reach out to Academic ADA Coordinator as needed for support.

Scenario #2: Student discloses disability and/or need for accommodations but does not have a letter of ADA accommodations.

• Faculty directs student to Academic ADA Coordinator via private conversation or ADA Referral in Student Success Portal (Starfish).
• Student secures accommodations through meeting with Academic ADA Coordinator; then discusses accommodations letter with faculty.
• Faculty and student reach out to Academic ADA Coordinator as needed for support.

Scenario #3: Faculty suspects the student may have a disability and that they may benefit from accommodations.

• Faculty checks for letter of ADA accommodations received via email from disability@webster.edu and finds a letter for the student.
• Faculty initiates a private conversation with student, offering support of the accommodations provided in the student's letter. Student decides whether to proceed with accommodations.

Scenario #4: Faculty suspects a student may have a disability and that student may benefit from accommodations.

• Faculty checks for emailed letter of ADA accommodations received from disability@webster.edu. Faculty doesn't find letter for the student.
• Faculty reminds their classes to access accommodations via Academic ADA Coordinator and/or submits ADA Concern Flag via Student Success Portal (Starfish).
• Academic ADA Coordinator contacts student offering resources/support. Student determines whether to set up accommodations.

To read previous Disability Awareness Month tips, follow the links below.

Accessibility Tip 1: Lead with Empathy

Accessibility Tip 2: Provide Intentional Inclusion