Faculty Responsibilities
- As an employee of Rio Hondo College, which has compliance obligations under federal laws, the faculty member shares the responsibility to provide reasonable academic adjustments for students with disabilities. The faculty member is a partner in helping to meet the needs of the qualified student with a disability and participates in the development of academic adjustments for their students.
- Confidentiality: Students with disabilities are protected under Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and the civil rights laws. At no time should the faculty make any statements or implications that the student is any different from the general student population.
Teaching Students with Disabilities
Students bring a unique set of strengths and experiences to college, and students with disabilities are no exception. While many learn in different ways, their differences do not imply inferior capacities. There is no need to dilute curriculum or to reduce course requirements for the disabled student. However, special accommodations may be needed, as well as modifications in the way information is presented and in methods of testing and evaluation. Faculty will be aided in these efforts by drawing upon the student’s own prior learning experiences, using available college and department resources, and collaborating with the campus Disabled Student Programs & Services (DSPS).
The faculty member should make an announcement at the beginning of the term inviting students with disabilities to schedule appointments. If you suspect that a student has a disability, discuss the question with the student. You may find such an approach awkward, at least initially, but the end result will be extremely beneficial if the student’s condition is made known at the very outset.
