Faculty & Departmental Resources

Under both the Americans with Disabilities Act, as recently amended, and Section 504 of the 1973 Rehabilitation Act, a reasonable accommodation is considered to be a modification or adjustment to a course, program, service, or facility, which ensures that a qualified student with a disability is not excluded, segregated, or otherwise treated differently.

• Reasonable accommodations are tailored adjustments that level the playing field.
• Reasonable accommodations must not compromise essential functions of the course or program.
• Reasonable accommodations are individually determined after review of medical documentation and an interactive needs assessment between an RCPD Ability Access Specialist and the student.

An accommodation would not be considered reasonable if it:

• Fundamentally alters the essential nature of the course, curriculum or program
• Constitutes services of a personal nature (such as private tutoring)
• Results in an undue administrative or financial burden for the institution
• Results in posing a direct threat to the health or safety of self or others

MSU Web Accessibility

As instructional spaces and programmatic offerings are increasingly online experiences, it is vital that these offerings are designed in ways that facilitate full inclusion by people who use assistive technologies. Disabilities affect online information access in varying ways. MSU has adopted policies, resources, and guidance that help ensure accessibility. 

Assistive Listening Devices

• Types of assistive listening devices
• How to obtain and utilize them on campus

VISAs - Faculty Perspective

• Learn the appropriate process when a student presents a VISA
• Watch the YouTube video to see an example scenario

MSU Inclusive Guide: Disability

How the university communicates about people with disabilities, including accessibility practices, can create a more inclusive campus experience for many Spartans.

Best Practices: Accommodations for Students with Disabilities

Guidelines for professors and teaching assistants to consider when interacting with students with disabilities. Note, this document discusses person-first language as a primary way of acknowledging a person with a disability. More recently, identity-first language is preferred by some people and groups ("disabled person", "autistic person", etc.). Everyone has their own preference.

Students with Disabilities - The MSU Approach for Inclusion

• An overview of the MSU approach for inclusion of people with disabilities
• Addresses questions frequently asked by new faculty

Association on Higher Education and Disability (AHEAD) Statement on Language

There are two prevalent ways that we identify with disability in language: person-first and identity-first. Both options have implications for how we think about disability.

The Courtesy Rules of Blindness

Model Statements

For use in syllabi & program or event announcements

Testing Accommodations: A Message From the Provost

Just over 4% of the MSU student body registers with the RCPD after documenting a disability that affects major life activities. Approximately 70% of these students experience some requirement for modification to the typical testing experience. Many instructors erroneously interpret the VISA as evidence that testing cannot occur in their classroom or under their direct control. The Office of the Provost provides guidance on testing accommodations. 

RCPD Alternative Testing Guidelines

In alignment with the Provost's expectations for accommodated testing, RCPD provides guidance for faculty and students.

*Health and safety emergencies should be handled by dialing 911

The act of violence on MSU’s campus on Monday, February 13th has shaken our community to its core. The University is providing resources for students, faculty, and staff in need of additional support during this difficult time. You can find a list resources for your students here. The return to academics is a daunting experience for many students and we have heard concerns about being in-person. Interim Provost Thomas Jeitschko has provided guidance for faculty indicating that while classes should be taught in the modalities originally scheduled, faculty are encouraged to make allowances for individual student needs. This flexibility is meant to provide students with the time needed to adjust and begin healing.

The Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities (RCPD) is sensitive to student concerns around returning to campus. Concerns around safety and security are valid and should be addressed by administration, MSU Police and Public Safety, and within the classroom setting. This is not specifically a disability issue and as such, disability accommodations are not the appropriate venue for students expressing a need for flexibility or remote participation as a result of the campus shooting. Students experiencing grief are encouraged to take advantage of the University’s Grief Absence policy which allows for additional time off of up to two weeks. Students are also encouraged to consider use of the University’s Medical Leave policy if they are understandably unable to return to campus or resume classes this semester. To get started on a medical leave option, contact the Office of Student Support and Accountability (OSSA). Students registered with RCPD experiencing an exacerbation of symptoms as a result of the collective trauma are encouraged to make use of approved accommodations as needed.

Michigan State University and the surrounding community have numerous resources for individuals who are in crisis. You may contact a resource for yourself or another community member who you believe may need assistance. See our Crisis & Emergency Resources page for more information.

If you are an MSU faculty/staff and have a student in crisis who you believe needs assistance, please consider the following resources. MSU RCPD does not provide 24-hour service and RCPD staff may not be able to immediately respond to communications via voicemail or email.