University of North Texas 
List of Questions
General Questions
- What are the rights and responsibilities of a UNT student with a disability?
- What are the rights and responsibilities of an instructor when working with students with disabilities?
- Why does an instructor have the responsibility to make reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities?
- How are appropriate accommodations for a student determined?
- If an instructor feels that a particular student may have a disability, to where should he or she refer the student?
Student Disruptions or Failing
- What if a student with a disability is disruptive in class?
- What if a student with a disability is failing?
Specific Accommodation Provision
Faculty Feedback
Resources
Answers
What are the rights and responsibilities of a UNT student with a disability?
Students with disabilities have the right to equal access to all courses, programs, activities, services, and facilities offered at the University of North Texas (UNT). UNT students are also entitled to reasonable accommodations. Students have the responsibility to provide documentation of their disability (or disabilities) according to the Office of Disability Access' (ODA) guidelines and to register with the ODA if they would like to receive accommodations. After registering with the ODA, if students would like to request accommodations in one or more of their classes, students have the responsibility of requesting their letters of accommodation via AIM. After the letter has been requested, ODA will send the letter of accommodation to their instructor and the student will be copied. Students then have the responsibility to meet with their instructor to confirm receipt of the letter of accommodation and discuss with their faculty how the accommodations will be met in that specific class.
An instructor has the right to confirm a student's request for accommodations and to ask for clarification about a specific accommodation with the Office of Disability Access. Instructors do not have the right to refuse to provide an accommodation or to review a student's documentation including diagnosis and private health information. Instructors have a responsibility to work with the Office of Disability Access in providing reasonable accommodations, keep all records and communications with students confidential, and to refer a student to the ODA who requests accommodations but is not currently registered. Instructors do not have to provide accommodations for students not registered with ODA.
After receiving the letter of accommodation, if the faculty member believes that the accommodation is a fundamental alteration to the course, per UNT Policy 16.001, faculty will need to consult with the student's ODA Coordinator. The Coordinator will work to support the faculty in discussing fundamental alterations according to federal law and if necessary, discuss alternative accommodations to meet the student's individual access barriers.
An instructor has the responsibility to make reasonable accommodations because accommodations make it possible for a student with a disability to overcome barriers enabling the student to communicate what he or she knows. At the University of North Texas, we strive to support all of our students and provide the most caring environment possible. This is in alignment with several of our Core Values as well, including We Care and Better Together.
The instructor also has a legal responsibility to provide appropriate accommodations in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.
How are appropriate accommodations for a student determined?
To determine appropriate accommodations for a student, the student must submit documentation (consistent with ODA guidelines) to the ODA. The student will be assigned a Coordinator within our office to review the student's application, documentation, and narrative provided by the student in their Registration Meeting. The Coordinator will then determine appropriate accommodations based upon the substantial limitations of the student. There are certain accommodations which our office refers to Case Management and Review Committee, an internal committee. This is to ensure that we are reviewing the accommodation request from all perspectives, especially accommodation requests that tend to be more time intensive or complex for faculty.
If an instructor feels that a particular student may have a disability, they should refer the student to the ODA. Faculty can simply give the student ODA's contact information or if they would like, they can email the ODA at Disability@unt.edu with a CC to the student to help with the virtual introduction.
What if a student with a disability is disruptive in class?
A student with a disability who is disruptive in class should be treated as an instructor would treat any student who is disruptive in class. If an instructor feels that there is a disability-related reason for the student's behavior, the instructor can discuss this with the student's Coordinator in the Office of Disability Access to determine if there is a solution to the problem or strategies for addressing the behavior. The Dean of Students (DOS) office also has a reporting mechanism via report.unt.edu to aid in addressing disruptive students. The DOS and ODA offices work together closely to support both students and faculty in these situations.
What if a student with a disability is failing?
It is important for instructors to remember that providing reasonable accommodations to a student with a disability does not guarantee success in the course. Our role is to provide access. Students with disabilities may not master the course material, just like any other student. Students with disabilities have the same right as other students to fail as part of their educational experience.
Upon successful registration for accommodations, the student will receive an Eligibility Letter via email. This letter states all of the accommodations which the student has been approved for. It is then the responsibility for the student to go into AIM and specify which accommodations they feel are necessary for each individual class they desire accommodations in. However, before the student is able to request their letters of accommodation each semester, the student is required to sign one or more e-agreements on AIM which state they understand their rights and responsibilities for receiving accommodations. If the student is approved for specific accommodations, such as Alternative Testing or Communication Access services, they will also have a specific e-agreement for these accommodations.
Faculty will receive the letter of accommodation (also known as the Faculty Notification Letter) for each class in which the student requests accommodations. This letter will detail all of the accommodations the student is requesting for that specific class. The descriptions on the accommodation letter the faculty receive are identical to the descriptions on the Eligibility Letter which the student receives upon registration with the ODA.
If faculty would like to review the e-agreements which students fill out, based on the individual accommodations the student is approved for, faculty may review them here (hyperlinked).
If a faculty member has feedback for the ODA, what is the best way to communicate that?
The ODA always welcomes feedback from all UNT community members! Each academic year, the ODA has an open Faculty Survey (2023-2024 hyperlinked) via Qualtrics, which we encourage faculty to complete. These results are reviewed about once or twice per month. Faculty are also encouraged to reach out to the student's ODA Coordinator. Finally, Jessica Stone (Director) and Randi Johnson (Associate Director) always welcome the opportunity to meet in person, via phone, or via Zoom/Teams to learn from faculty regarding their experiences, questions, or concerns. We take faculty feedback seriously as they are an absolutely essential partner. While we are a Student Affairs office, we serve faculty just as much in this role and look forward to partnering with them each day.
Where can I get forms and publications provided by the ODA?
Visit the ODA Forms page for downloadable copies of common forms and guides. Instructors may also want to review the online Faculty Resource Guide.