FAU Student Accessibility Services (SAS)

Faculty and Staff Guide

Faculty Information for Coordinating Access

Purpose and Rationale (The “Why”)

Disabled individuals must be able to:

Engage in the same activities
Access the same information
Enjoy the same services and benefits as individuals without disabilities

This access must occur:

In an equally effective and integrated manner
With substantially equivalent ease of use
Free from discrimination

SAS aims to create and promote a more accessible and inclusive learning environment for students with disabilities. When access is not available through universal design or the inherent nature of a course, academic accommodations may be necessary.

Professors will be notified of students’ approved accommodations through an Academic Accessibility Agreement (AAA) letter, sent via the SAS online portal.

Overview of the SAS Student Process

The student connects with SAS by completing an online application and submitting disability documentation.
The student is assigned an Accessibility Coordinator and attends an Initial Intake Appointment. During this meeting, the student and Coordinator engage in an interactive and collaborative process to determine appropriate academic accommodations.
After the intake appointment, the student is registered with SAS and accommodations are approved.
Each semester, students must request accommodations for each course through the SAS portal. When a request is submitted, professors are automatically notified by email (sent from accommodations@health.fau.edu ).

General Information for Professors

Once a student requests accommodations, professors will receive an automated email with a link to the Instructor Portal (from accommodations@fau.edu ).
Professors must log in using FAU credentials to review and confirm student accommodations.
Students may request accommodations at any point during the semester.
Accommodations are not retroactive.
Disability-related information must be treated confidentially. Identifying a student to peers or making comments about a student’s disability in class violates the student’s right to privacy.

Reasonable Accommodations

The purpose of SAS is to provide access, not to mandate a specific accommodation in all circumstances. Accommodations are determined based on a student’s functional limitations. SAS does not have detailed knowledge of individual course design.

If an approved accommodation would fundamentally alter the nature of the course, alternative accommodations or means of access should be considered to the extent possible. In these situations, professors should contact the student’s assigned Accessibility Coordinator (listed on the AAA letter).

If a student requests additional accommodations beyond those listed on the AAA, the student, professor, and Accessibility Coordinator will engage in an interactive process to determine feasibility and whether the request would constitute a fundamental alteration of the course.

Common Classroom Accommodations

Audio Notetaking

Accommodation: “Audio notetaking: Student utilizes audio notetaking software or hardware to capture lecture audio.”

Recording lectures allows students to review material they may have missed or not fully understood. Students may use a phone, computer, recorder, or Livescribe smartpen. Placement of the recording device should be discussed with the instructor.

Students should record only during the instructor’s lecture.
Personal class discussions typically do not need to be recorded.
For virtual courses, students may request access to lecture recordings.

Excused Absences Due to Disability

Accommodation: “Excused absences due to disability. Student may make up missed assignments, quizzes, and exams. Allowed absences are determined on a course-by-course basis (typically 50% more than the course attendance policy). SAS will notify faculty when this accommodation applies.”

Some disabilities may result in episodic absences due to symptom exacerbation or hospitalization.

Students must contact their Accessibility Coordinator for each disability-related absence.
The Accessibility Coordinator will notify the professor.
This accommodation applies only to the missed class session and associated assessments.
Professors determine makeup work timelines and should coordinate directly with the student.
Implementation in online courses is determined on a case-by-case basis.

Breaks During Class

Accommodation: “Breaks as needed during class.”

Some students may need brief breaks to manage disability-related symptoms, medications, or physical discomfort. Students are encouraged to take breaks in the least disruptive manner possible.

Preferential Seating

Accommodation Examples: “Seating in front,” “Seating in back,” “Seating near exit.”

This accommodation may be necessary in courses with assigned seating or limited seating availability. In most cases, students choose their own seats.

Use of Laptop or Tablet for Note-Taking

Accommodation: “Use of laptop or tablet to take notes in class.”

Students who have difficulty with handwritten notes due to a disability may use electronic devices for note-taking. This accommodation may also support audio notetaking.

Extensions on Assignments

Accommodation: “Extension on assignments if needed due to disability. Requests must be submitted through SAS at least 24 hours prior to the deadline.”

Students must email the professor and Accessibility Coordinator at least 24 hours before the assignment deadline.
SAS will provide official confirmation to the professor.
The length of the extension is determined by the professor.

Deaf and Hard of Hearing Accommodations

Students with hearing loss may require different supports depending on individual needs. Faculty will be notified via the AAA letter if an interpreter or captionist is assigned.

Real-Time Captioning (C-Print)

Accommodation: “Real-time captionist will accompany student to class.”

A captionist types spoken content into a laptop visible to the student.
For online courses, faculty may be asked to add the captionist to Canvas.

Sign Language Interpreter

Accommodation: “Sign language interpreter will accompany student to class.”

Interpreters typically stand near the front of the classroom.
In advanced courses, interpreters may request course materials in advance.
For online courses, faculty may be asked to add the interpreter to Canvas.

Closed Captioning for Audio and Video

Accommodation: “Closed captioning for all audio and/or video presentations.”

Faculty are responsible for ensuring that all required multimedia content is captioned.

Videos should be reviewed for accessibility before the semester begins.
SAS or OIT can assist with captioning, depending on video length and format.

FM Systems

Accommodation: “Use of FM system in class.”

Faculty wear a microphone/transmitter provided by the student.
The system transmits audio directly to the student’s hearing device.

Common Testing Accommodations

Exams taken at SAS should be scheduled for the same date and time as the in-class exam unless the exam time falls outside SAS office hours.

Extended Time

Accommodation: “Extended time for exams and quizzes.”

Applies only to timed assessments.
Does not apply to take-home exams.
For online exams, professors must manually apply extended time.
For in-person exams, students must schedule testing with SAS unless the professor agrees to proctor with accommodations.

Distraction-Reduced Testing Environment

Accommodation: “Distraction-reduced setting for in-person assessments.”

A distraction-reduced setting is a quiet space with minimal interruptions. This may include a conference room, office, or the SAS Testing Center.

Maximum of five students per testing room.
Professors choosing to proctor must coordinate with SAS to ensure appropriate conditions.

Audio Exams (Text-to-Speech)

Accommodation: “Use of assistive technology to have exams read aloud.”

SAS provides text-to-speech software compatible with Honorlock and LockDown Browser. For online exams, students may use approved software independently.

Breaks During Exams

Accommodation: “Allow one 10-minute break for every full hour of testing.”

For online exams, professors must add extra time to account for breaks.
Students may take breaks as needed during the exam.
Students must remain on camera during breaks unless otherwise approved.

Use of Calculator

Accommodation: “Calculator for math-related exams.”

Calculators are permitted as long as they do not perform the functions being assessed. Typically limited to four-function calculators.

Use of a Computer for Exams

Accommodation: “Computer for essay exams” or “Computer for exams.”

Students may use a computer at the SAS Testing Center or an instructor-approved personal device. SAS computers support assistive technology and restricted internet access when required.

Service Animals and Emotional Support Animals

Service Animals

Service animals are permitted in classrooms and are not listed on accommodation letters.

A service animal is a dog individually trained to perform tasks directly related to a person’s disability.

Faculty may ask only the following questions when the need is not obvious:

Is the dog a service animal required because of a disability?
What work or task has the dog been trained to perform?

A service animal may be excluded if it poses a direct threat, is out of control, or has a history of disruptive behavior.

Emotional Support Animals (ESAs)

Emotional Support Animals are not trained to perform specific tasks and are generally limited to residence halls. ESAs are not permitted in classrooms.