Teaching Tip: Syllabus Disability Statement

Here’s something we hope you’ll include on each syllabus, a statement about disability:

Under the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Vocational Rehabilitation Act of 1973, all students, with or without disabilities, are entitled to equal access to the programs and activities of Fordham University. If you believe that you have a disabling condition that may interfere with your ability to participate in the activities, coursework, or assessment of the object of this course, you may be entitled to accommodations. Please schedule an appointment to speak with someone at the Office of Disability Services (Rose Hill - O’Hare Hall, Lower Level, x0655 or at Lincoln Center – Room 207, x6282).

The Office of Disability Services (ODS), headed up by Carolyn Mooney (mooney@fordham.edu), works with students, faculty, and staff to ensure appropriate services for students with disabilities. Fordham University will make reasonable accommodations, and provide auxiliary aides and services to assist otherwise qualified students who self-identify as having a disability in achieving equal access to its programs, services, and facilities.

It is essential that students who ask for accommodations have registered with the Office of Disability Services. Until a student self-identifies as having a disability and presents an academic accommodation letter written by ODS on ODS letterhead, faculty should not provide any academic accommodations to that student.

ODS staff abides by specific confidentiality standards when working with students with disabilities, but they can and do answer many kinds of questions that faculty have regarding accommodations and ways to work with students with disabilities without breaching confidentiality. They look forward to your call!