At DSS, our goal is to provide everyone with the tools and information needed to support students with disabilities effectively. Through our faculty and staff portal, you can access resources, training materials, and connect with DSS coordinators to discuss best practices and accommodations. You will find guidance on university policies, instructional strategies, and support services aimed at fostering an inclusive learning environment. Additionally, we offer information on professional development opportunities, campus resources, and regulatory compliance to help you navigate your responsibilities. DSS is here to support your efforts in ensuring equal access and success for all students.
The accommodation process is meant to be collaborative among the student, faculty, and DSS. Please contact DSS as soon as possible to discuss any concerns about the student’s accommodations.
Accommodation notifications are intended to make you aware of your legal responsibilities as an educational instructor at a Title IV and ADA-compliant university. You are responsible for providing all accommodations listed in the notification in accordance with DSS procedure.
Notify DSS of any concerns about a student’s accommodations as soon as possible. The accommodation process is meant to be collaborative between student, faculty, and DSS to maintain both course objectives and a student’s opportunity for success.
Work with DSS before implementing any additional steps or processes for students to access accommodations. Please contact your student’s DSS coordinator if you have questions or concerns about how to successfully implement accommodations so that they reduce barriers to access in your class.
Please provide proctoring instructions, exam details, and electronic or physical exam copies to the DSS Testing Center at least two days in advance.
Notify DSS immediately if you feel the accommodation may have a substantial impact that fundamentally alters the course or learning objectives.
Suggest reasonable alternative options to the recommended accommodation when appropriate.
Maintain confidentiality of the student’s disability status and their accommodations. Please Note: students are not required to disclose specific details of their disability.
Include a statement regarding DSS in your class syllabus (UW Regulation 6-809). Please refer students needing accommodations to visit with our office in Knight Hall, Room 109; they can also contact us at udss@uwyo.edu or 307-766-3073.
Concerns for students not necessarily related to their disability accommodations may be directed to UWYO Cares. When making a report, please specify if the concern is regarding academics, or a safety/well-being concern.
All students who manage symptoms of a diagnosis are encouraged to connect with Disability Support Services, regardless of whether they utilize formal accommodations. However it should be noted that notification from DSS is required for exceptions to University policy and the provision of academic accommodations by faculty. Accommodations cannot be implemented retroactively. It should also be noted that accommodations that require additional communication between faculty and student will not be implemented until the student sends their DSS coordinator a written copy of the established implementation plan.
Interested in learning more? View our general descriptions of accommodations below, explore answers to our frequently asked questions, or learn more about Navigating Accommodations. Still have questions? Contact our team!
Testing accommodations apply to all formative or summative assessments whether it is a midterm, final, or in-class quiz. Generally speaking, if an assessment is timed in any way, students are entitled to use their testing accommodations. Common test accommodations include but are not limited to: extended time, testing in the least distractive environment possible, testing in a separate location, and breaks.
Coordinating test accommodations is a joint endeavor between DSS (Disability Support Services), faculty and students.
The Ellbogen Center for Teaching and Learning (ECTL) can assist with online exam accommodation implementation.
In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504), the Disability Support Services (DSS) provides ASL interpreter services for any eligible student, employee, or visitor.
Flexible Attendance/ Assignment Due Dates:
Flexible attendance is a reasonable accommodation for students who manage diagnoses that include an inability to plan for symptomology such as chronic conditions. The accommodation is to ensure that students experiencing an unexpected “flare up” are not penalized for missing a class or handing in information late.
The assumption behind this accommodation is that students are attending class regularly and completing assigned work (including starting long-term assignments), and that they are able to submit their work to date when a flare up occurs and need a short period to manage recovery. This is not the same as a faculty approved incomplete.
It is important that students understand this, and that should they find themselves consistently missing classes, they should contact their DSS coordinator immediately to determine options. Missing multiple classes can constitute a fundamental alteration.
While they are not required to notify us of an absence, it is in the student’s best interest, should faculty concerns arise at a later date.
Once these accommodations are determined to be reasonable through conversation between student and their DSS coordinator, accommodation notifications will be sent out and students will be asked to talk with their faculty about the flexible attendance accommodation. DSS coordinators can share effective approaches and create a talking point sheet for the student. Students will then need to confirm the parameters of the accommodation as agreed upon with faculty. DSS coordinators are encouraged to reach out to faculty to address any concerns or questions regarding the implementation of the accommodation.
Alternative Format Policy:
Alternative formats of texts are available for students. For audio versions of texts, DSS encourages students to access publisher provided versions of texts books and the library. However, should an audio version of the text not be available, DSS can assist with accessing materials. Additionally, for students who use access software, DSS is able to create versions of the text to support use on these platforms.
Faculty are encouraged to employ best practices when providing class materials to students by utilizing in-class microphones, closed captioning in videos, and PDFs that are screen-reader compatible.
Note-taking Services:
For multiple reasons, students may need to reference class lectures and materials to ensure full access to their education. To support students, we first recommend they research available audio recording devices from smart pens to software that records lectures and supports the taking of notes. These options engage students in continuing to develop skills while also providing a lifelong option for retrieving and processing information. DSS has licenses for Glean that can be shared with students for the duration of an academic year.
We can also ask faculty to provide materials such as presentations with the student, that may not otherwise be shared.
While we can certainly work with faculty and students to secure notetaking from a classmate, this option is often the least efficient. Having a note taker does not relieve a student with a disability from attending class, participating, taking their own notes and meeting other course responsibilities.
Learn more about note-taking resources.
Knight Hall 109 | Dept. 3135
1000 E. University Avenue
Laramie, WY 82071
Phone: (307) 766-3073
Email: udss@uwyo.edu
Fax: (307) 766-3298