Your Interactive Accommodations Process – On-Demand Training

Utilize Documentation & Interviews to Improve Access

Institutions often receive a variety of documentation from students used to verify the authenticity of their disability and need for accommodations. Without proper documentation, students may experience delays in receiving necessary accommodations. Engaging students in an “interactive process” when requesting a need for accommodations makes the approval for accommodations equitable and holistic. Although it is critical for disability services offices to glean reliable information from vetted medical or educational documentation, it is equally valuable to include information of historical value through an interview or intake survey with the student. 

Our expert presenter will discuss the interactive process and how this engagement creates a greater opportunity for student autonomy, the ability for students to openly voice concerns and the chance for students to form a supportive relationship with disability services. If adjustments are needed at a later date, conflicts with a faculty member arise, or referrals for other support services are needed, the student is more likely to circle back to disability services for assistance. This reduces barriers to access and equity. 

Topics Covered

Gain crucial, actionable takeaways that will help you: 

• Engage students in the interactive process to help ensure legally mandated accommodations are easier for students to access.
• Identify sufficient documentation, know when it is reasonable to ask for more documentation, and how to request such documentation with given timelines.
• Communicate the needs of the disability services office with students requesting accommodations more effectively.
• Understand when it is appropriate to put “temporary accommodations” (as well as defining who is responsible) in place and to create timelines for follow-up/re-assessment if needed.
• Identify changes you can make to reduce barriers to access and equity in your disability services office and at your institution.
• Feel confident in making decisions regarding reasonable accommodations. 

Presenter

Veronica Willis-Oldham, M.A., is a native of Kentucky and a two-time Alum of Western Kentucky University. She serves as the Assistant Director of the WKU Student Accessibility Resource Center which is the point of contact for students to initiate the process for securing ADA related accommodations at WKU.
Click here for full bio.