An individual with a disability is a person who:
- Has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities
- Has a record of such an impairment, or
- Is regarded as having such an impairment
What Does It Mean to Be a Qualified Student with a Disability?
At the postsecondary level, a "qualified student with a disability" is a student with a disability who meets the academic and technical standards requisite for admission or participation in the institution's educational program or activity."
What Should Faculty Do to Ensure Access for Students with Disabilities?
Accommodation letters notify you about the academic accommodations that your DRC-registered students will need to experience full access to learning and engaging on campus. Letters of Accommodation (LOA) are sent via email by the student's access consultant when the student requests via our DRC portal.
Stay Connected with the DRC
We prioritize proactive and regular communication with faculty, as we know faculty are critical partners in the work of access and disability inclusion on campus. Faculty are always welcome to reach out to their student's access consultant to discuss how accommodations work within their particular class.
Student Right to Privacy
Respect the right of students with disabilities to maintain privacy regarding their disability. Requiring a student to disclose a disability is against the law. If you have questions about a student's accommodations, contact the DRC.
Teaching Diverse Students
Syllabus Accessibility Statement
Faculty are strongly encouraged to include the NIU Accessibility Statement for Syllabi on all syllabi. Students have the right to request disability-related accommodations whether or not this statement is on your syllabus.
Learn more about making course content accessible through Blackboard Ally.