Resources for Faculty

The purpose of this site is to offer resources for faculty in providing accommodations to students with disabilities. This site contains links to University of Iowa resources, best practice models, and legislative information.

University of Iowa Resources

ICATER Online Survey Accesibility Checklist
A resource to provide suggestions on how to ensure online surveys are accessible to users.

Office of Equal Opportunity and Diversity(EOD) 

The following are publications from the Office of Equal Opportunity and Diversity to aid faculty and staff on providing accommodations to students with disabilities.

• Accessibilty Statement: Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to attend all University of Iowa-sponsored events. If you are a person with a disability who requires an accommodation in order to participate in this program, please contact (the sponsoring department or contact person*) in advance at (telephone number*).
• Assisting Students with Disabilities: A Guide for Faculty and Instructors providing additional background and helpful detailed information.
• How to Assist People with Disabilities. What does the ADA mean for your University department? This guide takes a who, what, why, where, when, and how approach to answer typical questions you or your department may encounter as you're asked to join in the University's overall goal of full participation.
• UI Disability-Related Information and Resources: A list of useful links from  The Office of Affirmative Action (OAA).

Student Disabilities Services
The mission of Student Disability Services (SDS) is to assure access through reasonable accommodations to students who currently demonstrate a condition producing significant functional limitations in one or major life activities.

• Information for Students (new and continuing) on guidelines, services, forms
• Documentation Guidelines These are SDS guidelines used to determine eligibility and service. Very important that students look at these and have appropriate information submitted to SDS prior to or at the beginning of starting school.

Iowa Information Technology Services (ITS) Assistive Technology

The University of Iowa ITS Assistive Technology (AT) Support is charged by the University with implementing various technologies to empower and enable disabled members of the University community. Chris Clark (chris-clark@uiowa.edu) is the accommodations consultant and offers support and training on assistive technology devices.

Best Practice Models

The following links offer in-depth information on providing accommodations to students with disabilities.

Universal Access Project
Students learn differently, depending on their individual preferences, abilities, and disabilities. Using the principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL), instructors can create environments conducive to learning for all students.

University of Washington DO-IT Program
The Disabilities, Opportunities, Internetworking, and Technology (DO-IT) Program serves to increase the successful participation of individuals with disabilities in challenging academic programs and careers such as those in science, engineering, mathematics, and technology.

• The Faculty Room:
  The Faculty Room is a space for faculty and administrators at postsecondary institutions to learn about how to create classroom environments and activities that maximize the learning of all students, including those with disabilities.

Special Needs Opportunity Windows or SNOW
The Special Needs Opportunity Windows or SNOW Project is a provider of online resources and professional development opportunities for educators and parents of students with special needs.