For Faculty/Staff

Information for Faculty

Faculty FAQ

What are academic accommodations and why are they important?

Academic accommodations are adjustments made to ensure that students with disabilities have equal access to educational opportunities. They are vital to uphold diversity, equity and inclusion in the learning environment.

What is my role in providing academic accommodations?

Your role is to implement the accommodations established by ADR. This might include providing extended testing time or other adjustments to the learning environment

How do I provide exam accommodations, such as extended time or a separate testing location?

You can work with your department chair to arrange for a suitable location and timing for accommodated students.

When a student exceeds a reasonable number of absences provided by the attendance consideration accommodation, what steps should be taken?

If a student is absent for more than 2 class sessions beyond the quantity allowed in the syllabus, the instructor should contact ADR to advise.

If there is a student issue connected to an agreed upon accommodation, can we reference a student’s accommodation(s) to the Dean?

Accommodations are confidential under FERPA law. If an issue arises involving a student’s accommodation plan, faculty should speak with ADR directly.

What should I do if students request accommodations that are not included in their ADR notification letter?

Faculty are only required to provide accommodations that have been approved by the ADR office. If a student is requesting accommodation directly from the faculty member, the faculty member may refer the student to ADR for approval.

Are there any accommodations I am not required to provide?

Accommodations approved by the ADR are legally binding. In cases where faculty feel that an accommodation fundamentally alters the requirements of a course, they are encouraged to reach out to ADR to address their concerns.

Can I ask a student about their disability or request documentation directly from them?

Faculty members are not to ask students about their specific disability. Medical documentation is kept confidential to the ADR office, and faculty should never request any medical information from the student.

What should I do if a student is not utilizing their accommodations appropriately?

Faculty should consult with the student to communicate expectations for utilizing accommodations. If this is not effective, faculty can reach out to ADR for additional support.

How can I uphold confidentiality in the classroom for students with accommodations?

Faculty should ensure that any discussion of a student’s accommodations occurs in private. Under no circumstances should a faculty member share a student’s accommodation information with other students.

Exam Information

Communication is the key to a successful collaboration between instructors and students and the ADR.

We highly encourage instructors and students to take the time at the beginning of each semester to discuss the required exam accommodations and determine if the student will use the ADR, or if the instructor will be able to provide the requested accommodation(s) in another setting (such as the classroom, a conference room, in an office or online).

Students- please note that we encourage you to take your exams with your instructors who are able to respond to questions you may have while you take your exams. ADR staff cannot tell you if there is a typo, or respond to any questions you have regarding the exam.

We are not a drop-in testing center.

If a faculty member is not able to provide their student a testing accommodation, and or the student would like to take a test at the ADR, we require 5-business days to coordinate staff to proctor and oversee the testing process.

  1. Student must email the ADR by using a Wellesley College email to make the request for ADR to proctor.

  2. The email should copy the instructor, who must agree to the date and time.

  3. The instructor is asked to please coordinate with ADR to pick/drop of the exam, provide instructions on the length of time the test should take (ADR will calculate time and a half or double time).

  4. Student and faculty must receive a confirmation of the test accommodation before sending students and tests to the ADR.  

*Students who have not made an appointment or followed our procedures will not be accommodated. 

Important note for Fall Final Exams 2023

  • Please schedule all your exams now so that you don’t miss the scheduling deadline and risk taking a final exam without accommodations.

  • The deadline for scheduling all end of semester exams and finals is November 1st, 2023, 5:00 pm. Due to space limitations and staffing, we cannot accommodate you if you contact us after the deadline.****

  • You will be provided ample opportunity and reminders to schedule your final exams by October 1st. 

For Final Exam Week, please note that due to space and staff needs the standard start times for Accessibility and Disability Resources during final exam week will be: 8:30am, 11:30am, 2:00 pm.