I am uncomfortable with a requested accommodation/I believe an accommodation is not appropriate, do I still have to provide it?

We Have Legal Obligations to Students

Federal and state law and SMCCCD policy state that the institution has to provide equal access. In the area of academic accommodations, the role of EAC is to assist the college and instructors in meeting their legal obligations to students with disabilities. 

If an instructor receives an accommodation form and doesn’t understand or disagrees with the accommodation, it is the instructor’s professional responsibility to contact EAC  to discuss the issue. 

Accommodations cannot be used lower academic standards or make a "fundamental alteration" to the program. The instructor, EAC coordinator, Division Dean, and other parties as appropriate must work together to determine whether an accommodation constitutes a lowering of academic standards or fundamental alteration of the program. If an accommodation is found to lower academic standards or is a fundamental alteration of the program, the parties must work together with the student to determine an appropriate alternative accommodation to address the student's educational limitations. 

Disallowing the accommodation or telling the student, “You don’t need this,” or “I don’t believe in learning disabilities,” is illegal and puts the college and district at risk of legal action.

EAC staff are here to discuss situations with you as they arise. Although accommodations must be provided if needed to compensate for a disability, the delivery of accommodations often involves a creative process. We invite you to join us in collaboration and creative problem solving so that all students in your class have equal access to your instruction.

 

Source: https://alameda.peralta.edu/student-service/dsps/dsps-faculty-handbook/ Links to an external site.