Faculty & Staff - Disability Resource Center

Faculty Resources

Additional Resources:

What is the role of the DRC?

The DRC assists the UCSC campus in complying with state and federal laws that mandate equal access to education for people with disabilities. We are the campus’ Americans with Disabilities Act (1990) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act (1973) compliance office for student program access.

What we do:

Evaluate student medical documentation
Authorize appropriate academic accommodations.
Provide advising and support for DRC students
Serve as a resource and consultant to faculty and staff

Accommodations are to provide equal access only, and not an unfair advantage. Students must meet eligibility requirements as defined by state and federal laws in order to receive specific accommodations.

We authorize accommodations for required course activity. Accommodations for all other non-classroom related events are the responsibility of each sponsoring program or department.

Other campus ADA compliance offices:

Susan Willats, (831) 459-3759 (voice/TTY)
ADA Compliance Office for Facilities, Transportation, and Computing Access, Business Administrative Services
willats@ucsc.edu

Ashish Sahni, (831) 459-4380
ADA Compliance Officer for Employment
diversity@ucsc.edu

What are faculty responsibilities for providing accommodations?

If a student gives you a DRC Accommodation Authorization, you are responsible for providing the identified accommodations listed under “Faculty.” If you have questions or concerns about a particular accommodation that has been authorized, contact the student’s DRC Coordinator whose name is printed on the Accommodation Authorization.

Students with disabilities should be held to the same standards as other students. If you believe an accommodation fundamentally alters the essential requirements of the course, be sure to discuss this with the DRC Coordinator.

If a student asks you for a course-related accommodation, but s/he is not qualified with the DRC, you are not obligated to provide an accommodation. Please refer the student to our office so that we can assist them with their needs.

Important points to remember:

The student’s disability and affiliation with the DRC is confidential.
It is recommended you make this announcement at the first class: “If you qualify for classroom accommodations because of a disability, please submit your Accommodation Authorization from the Disability Resource Center (DRC) to me during my office hours in a timely manner, preferably within the first two weeks of the quarter. Contact DRC at 459-2089 V, 459-4806 TTY.” This statement should be included in your course syllabus as well.
Clearly communicate any accommodation needs and procedures to T.A.’s who are teaching sections for your class.

Types of disabilities

The DRC serves students with a wide variety of disabilities. However, there are five general categories. Students with learning and psychological disabilities comprise the largest disability groups we serve. To learn more about learning disabilities or other conditions go to the Family Village Library.

You can also read up on disability news at:

Tips for working with students with disabilities

DO-IT's Strategies for Accessible Teaching

Exam accommodations

Notetakers

DRC students who are authorized for notetaking services might ask you to make an announcement in class to recruit a notetaker. Please remember that the student’s affiliation with the DRC is confidential. Any announcement should not reveal the identity of the DRC student requesting the service.

The following information should be included:

It is a paid position
Anyone interested needs to contact the DRC right away to fill out an application
The DRC typically hires only one notetaker for each class (usually the first one who applies)

Note: Notetaking services are designed to supplement the student’s class attendance, not to replace it.