Faculty / Instructor Info

This guide serves as a foundational resource for faculty to understand and implement student accommodations effectively, ensuring equitable access and success for all students at UMKC.

Faculty Information for Coordinating Accessibility

UMKC is committed to ensuring that all students, including those with disabilities, have equal access to:

• Engage fully in academic and extracurricular activities.
• Access course materials and resources in an equitable manner.
• Benefit from university services and opportunities free of discrimination.

Faculty will be notified of students’ approved accommodations through an official Faculty Notification Letter (FNL), sent via the SAS online system, Roo Access.

Student Accommodation Process

1. Students initiate the process by completing a New Accommodation Application and submitting documentation of their disability.
2. The student meets with an SAS Access Advisor to discuss their needs through an interactive, individualized process.
3. Once accommodations are approved, students must request accommodations for each course every semester through the Roo Access portal.
4. Faculty will receive a Faculty Notification Letter (FNL) via email when a student requests accommodations in their course.

Faculty Responsibilities and Guidelines

• Faculty must review the Faculty Notification Letter (FNL) and implement accommodations in a timely manner.
• Accommodations are not retroactive and only apply from the point of notification forward.
• Confidentiality is crucial—disability-related information should never be discussed publicly or disclosed to others.
• Accommodations cannot fundamentally alter a course, faculty should consult SAS to explore alternatives. 

Common Accommodations and Implementation

Classroom Accommodations

• Notetaking Assistance: SAS has replaced peer notetakers with alternative note-taking technology called Glean. Glean is a secure, cloud-based note-taking application that records audio during classes and generates transcriptions, enabling students to take more effective and personalized notes.

• Flexible Attendance: Some students may require flexibility in attendance due to disability-related symptoms. Faculty and SAS will collaborate to determine reasonable adjustments.

• Breaks During Class: Some students may need to step out periodically due to medical needs. Faculty should support discreet and minimal disruption.

• Use of Technology: Students with specific needs may be approved to use laptops or assistive technology for notetaking and coursework.

Testing Accommodations

Exams are proctored by SAS or otherwise arranged or determined by the specific school or professional program the student belongs to.

• Extended Time: Additional time (typically 1.5x or 2x) may be required for quizzes and exams. Faculty must adjust online exams accordingly.

• Reduced Distraction Environment: Exams can be proctored by faculty or students may request to take their exams in SAS’s Reduced Distraction Room. Instructors will designate their preference and upload their test guidelines in the Faculty / Instructor Portal.

• Assistive Technology: Some students may use text-to-speech or speech-to-text software for exams. These students will use SAS's Private Room for testing.

• Breaks During Exams: Short breaks may be permitted during assessments.

Deaf and Hard of Hearing Accommodations

• Sign Language Interpreters or Captioning Services: Faculty may need to coordinate seating and visibility for interpreters or enable captioning for online content.

• Closed Captioning: All multimedia content used in courses must include captions. Faculty should work with SAS for assistance.

• FM Systems: Some students may require instructors to wear a microphone transmitter to enhance auditory access.

Alternate Format Materials

Course materials may need to be converted to alternative formats such as digital text or enlarged print. If needed, the Faculty Notification Letter (FNL) will include a description.

Service Animals and Emotional Support Animals

• Service Animals (typically dogs) are permitted in classrooms and must be under control of the handler.

• Emotional Support Animals (ESAs) are not allowed in academic spaces but may be approved by SAS to be in university housing.

• Faculty may only ask:
  • Is the dog a service animal required due to a disability?
  • What task has the dog been trained to perform?

Faculty Support and Resources

SAS is here to collaborate with faculty and instructors in supporting students. If faculty have questions about accommodations or need assistance, they should contact our office by calling (816) 235-5612, or by email: accessibility@umkc.edu. If faculty or instructors need assistance with exams, or exam scheduling, please email: sasexams@umkc.edu  or visit: Professor Guidelines for additional resources.