Office for Disability and Access
Resources For Faculty & Staff
The Office for Disability & Access (ODA) at Oberlin College & Conservatory engages in a collaborative and interactive process with its students individually to determine appropriate accommodations. Academic needs are determined by documentation submitted by the student and a student interview. As part of the interactive process, when necessary, ODA will seek information from faculty about the academic requirements essential to the course or program for which the student seeks an accommodation, any licensure requirements directly related to course or program, and other relevant information specific to nature of the course or program. When doing so, ODA will inquire of faculty the academic requirements (or the licensing requirements) that are essential to the course or program. This information is used to inform the decision of ODA about whether, after considering other alternatives and their feasibility, cost, and effect on the academic course or program, the requested accommodation (or alternative accommodations (if any)) would result in lowering academic standards and/or involve a fundamental alteration of the course or program. ODA will document its conclusions regarding such accommodations.
ODA recommends including the following statement in a course syllabus:
"It is the policy and practice of Oberlin College and Conservatory to create inclusive learning environments. If there are aspects of the instruction or design of this course that present barriers to your inclusion or an accurate assessment of your needs to best complete course requirements (e.g., time-limited exams, inaccessible web content, use of videos without captions), please communicate this with your professor and contact the Office for Disability & Access to request accommodations. Office: 440-775-5588, Wilder Hall, Room 112. Students can learn more about the accommodation process on ODA's website (www.oberlin.edu/disability-access)."
In accordance with Subpart E of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, a student with a qualifying disability that adversely affects their ability to take or read notes may be permitted to audio-record class lectures as a form of reasonable academic accommodation. Use of this accommodation is subject to the conditions of the Audio Recorded Lecture Policy.
Students with Disabilities may be eligible for testing accommodations through the Office for Disability & Access (ODA). All students must adhere to the Academic Integrity and Student Honor Code.
ODA Responsibilities:
1. Maintain Exam Integrity.
2. Make every reasonable effort to facilitate the exam simultaneously with the scheduled in-class exam.
3. Coordinate the testing spaces per individual accommodations.
4. Ensure students have the allowed materials indicated on the ‘Exam Instructions’ before the exam starts.
5. Communicate with students and professors regarding testing logistics when needed.
6. Provide support to faculty, staff, and students.
7. Return the exam to the professor in a timely manner.
8. Understand that the Honor Code applies in the Accommodated Testing Center.
Instructor Responsibilities:
1. Complete the Course Information Form for Alternative Testing for every applicable course at the beginning of each semester.
2. Complete the ‘Exam Instructions’ for each scheduled exam.
3. Ensure that the exam, instructions, and any necessary additional materials (i.e., blue book) are sent to ODA before the scheduled start time.
4. Be available for questions during the scheduled time of the student’s exam via the contact method indicated in the Exam Instructions.
5. Understand that the Honor Code applies in the Accommodated Testing Center.
6. Maintain communication with the ODA regarding exam needs and schedules.
Accommodated Testing Policy & Procedures (PDF)