Student Rights and Responsibilities

After applying and being approved for reasonable academic accommodations, you need to be aware of your rights regarding these accommodations, as well as understanding your responsibilities as a student with accommodations.

Rights

It is your right to have your academic adjustment letter (referred to hereafter as AA letter) sent to any and all instructors via email from Disability Services for Students (DSS). You may not need all accommodations for every class, but any professor you will need an accommodation from must receive the AA letter.
It is your right not to use your AA letter (or choose to have it sent to faculty) for any class during a semester. This does not affect your right to have accommodations for future semesters.
It is your right to request adjustments to your AA letter regarding the accommodations for which you are eligible. Additions to your AA letter must be supported by appropriate documentation.
It is your right to have your disability kept confidential. DSS will not share information regarding your disability with faculty, staff, parents, or other entities without written permission.
It is your right to have your approved accommodations provided free of charge, as mandated in the Americans with Disabilities Act. DSS will never charge you for accommodations.

Responsibilities

The Student Code of Conduct is the standard of behavior expected of all TWU students, both undergraduate and graduate. It is your responsibility, as a TWU student, to comply with the TWU Student Code of Conduct. No disability excuses you from these rules and regulations; you will be held accountable for all portions of the Student Code of Conduct.
It is recommended and your responsibility to meet with each professor preferably during the first week of class, or within one week of receiving your AA letter, if it is during the semester, to review your AA letter. If your class is face-to-face, you should meet with your professor face-to-face (preferably in office hours). If your class is online, you should discuss accommodation implementation in an email with your professor. The AA letter becomes effective once the professor receives it. Accommodations are not retroactive.
It is your responsibility to report problems with professors who are not allowing accommodations to your DSS coordinator as quickly as possible.
Accommodations received in a face-to-face classroom may not be the same as in an online setting. Online course accommodations may be limited due to the nature of the course. It is still your responsibility to discuss accommodation implementation with your faculty member in order to understand how the accommodation will be provided.
It is your responsibility to request LOAs through the online system each semester that you are going to need accommodations. If you decide to add/delete approved accommodations from your LOA, you will be able to make that choice online, or speak to your DSS counselor.

Study Abroad: DSS falls under the parameters of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Please understand that the ADA does not apply overseas or outside U.S. borders. If you have questions, speak with your DSS coordinator.

Accommodations

Notetaking Services

Students who are approved for note-taking accommodations should request a peer notetaker in myDSS. Students must confirm their note-taking accommodation in myDSS online after classes start. Students must attend lectures and take independent notes. The peer notetaker is a supplement to the student’s notes. It is imperative that students notify our office immediately if they are not receiving notes for a class.

Books/Materials in Electronic Format:

Alternative format materials can be requested in myDSS. The textbook request is separate from the accommodation letter request. Students must use the alternative text module to submit textbook information along with receipt upload. Please note, the student must submit proof of purchase before the DSS office will release the alternative format text. Once your request is submitted, the DSS office will process the request within three business days. Allow up to three weeks for receipt of the texts via email.

Access Providers

Students can request access providers for their courses through myDSS Online by requesting their accommodation letters. If the course is online-only, without class meetings, an access provider will not be assigned to the course. Access providers can be requested through myDSS for TWU hosted events.

For interpreter or CART needs related to student academic programs (e.g., meeting with professors or advisors), students must give five (5) business days’ notice (Monday – Friday, not weekends) to the DSS office. If the service is requested with less than five business-day notice, the DSS office will make a good faith effort to obtain the service, but services will not be guaranteed due to the availability of interpreters or CART writers.

For interpreter or CART needs related to a campus event, please contact the department hosting the event for accommodations. DSS will work with that department to ensure services are in place.

If students experience problems in the accommodation process or delivery, please contact Disability Services for Students immediately.

Page last updated 4:30 PM, January 13, 2021