Statement of Shared Responsibilities
Implementing disability accommodations is a shared process that relies on communication and collaboration between students, faculty/instructors, and ASC. Understanding your rights and responsibilities helps ensure accommodations are implemented effectively and in a timely manner.
The university, faculty, and staff are obligated under the Rehabilitation Act (Section 504) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to provide reasonable accommodations to students with disabilities.
Contact ASC
Email: unoaccessibility@unomaha.edu
Phone: 402.554.2872
Student Rights and Responsibilities
While students may request accommodations at any point during the semester, accommodations are not applied retroactively. Students who are eligible for academic accommodations must login to send a notification letter to their instructor each semester. Instructors are only able to implement accommodations after they have received a notification letter. By formally sending a notification letter each semester, students help ensure that their approved accommodations are communicated and implemented in a timely manner.
- Participate in higher education if qualified for admission and full participation in all student activities
- Reasonable accommodations, as determined by ASC, if the student has a verified disability
- Confidentiality of all disability-related information
- File complaints or formal grievances if there are concerns about discrimination.
- Provide ASC with the appropriate disability documentation
- Send notification letter(s) to instructor(s) every semester
- Contact each instructor to discuss the approved accommodation(s)
- Notify the instructor and/or ASC if there are difficulties implementing accommodations.
Instructor Rights, Responsibilities, and Limitations
If a student mentions a disability, accommodations, the Rehabilitation Act (Section 504), or the Individualized Education Program (IEP), refer them to ASC. If students have other concerns due to unexpected life events, personal challenges, or other difficulties, refer them to the UNO Care Team.
- Maintain the essential components of their course content
- Verify a student’s eligibility for academic accommodation approved by ASC
- Require students to demonstrate their knowledge of crucial course content
- Discuss concerns about the implementation of an academic accommodation with ASC if the accommodation seems to alter their course fundamentally
- Provide the specified accommodations outlined in the student's notification letter
- Respond to student communication related to approved accommodations in the notification letter
- Work with ASC and students with disabilities to implement reasonable accommodations in a timely manner
Coordinate the student’s exam accommodations in the department, with another proctor, or through the UNO Testing Center
- Notify ASC if there are barriers to providing the student’s accommodations
- Maintain confidentiality following FERPA Guidelines
Instructors do NOT have the right to:
- Deny a student reasonable accommodation(s) listed in their notification letter
- Negotiate accommodations with a student
- Ask a student questions about their disability, including their diagnosis or the nature of their disability
- Ask if the accommodation is necessary
- Request documentation of a disability directly from a student
The Accessibility Services Center (ASC) is responsible for: approving/training registered students on using their accommodations, providing services and accommodation approval in a timely manner, consulting with students and instructors on how to best implement accommodations, and maintaining student confidentiality.
Responsibilities of All Parties
- Executing the implementation plan for accommodations and participate in discussion(s) when necessary
- Keeping a record of the implementation plan for accommodations easily accessible for both student and instructor
- Re-evaluating an appropriate implementation plan with ASC if concerns arise
