In keeping with The New School's policy of providing equal access to individuals with disabilities, instructors are strongly encouraged to include a statement on their syllabus informing students that academic accommodations can be provided on the basis of disability if the student follows the protocol described. The following statement contains all of the elements that should be present. Instructors may want to make changes based on style preference or particular course content. Instructors who need consultation in further developing this statement can contact the director for Disability Services. It is strongly recommended that you also read this statement to the students at the start of each semester when reviewing course policies. Early intervention can make all the difference in helping students achieve academic success. It also shows that the instructor has made a good-faith effort to inform students of their rights and responsibilities in this area and that this effort was made in a timely manner.
Suggested Statement
Students Disability Services (SDS) assists students with permanent or temporary disabilities in need of academic and programmatic accommodations as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) and Section 504 of the Federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973.
Students with a disability who may need academic accommodations must contact SDS. To register with SDS and begin the request for accommodations, please complete the Disability Self-Identification Form or contact SDS by email at [email protected].
Please note that faculty do not work unilaterally with students to provide accommodations. Accommodation information for instructors must be provided before any arrangements are made through an SDS Accommodation Letter. Students with attendance and/or deadline flexibility needs must contact me to discuss this in advance, so that we can establish guidelines (and include SDS as needed).