Faculty will receive a Faculty Notification Letter via email from SSD once the students have submitted their requests to our office.The letter will state that the student is registered with the SSD office, has a verified disability, and needs accommodations in the classroom. Because the fact that the student has a disability is confidential, it's a good idea to make an appointment with the student to discuss the student's needs privately and to decide how effective and efficient arrangements can be made.

If a student informs the faculty  of a disability but the faculty member did not receive an notification email from SSD, it may be that he/she has not registered with the office or has not submitted a request so a letter can be produced. Please inform the student about the SSD office and remind him/her to request accommodation letters. The letter assures the faculty member that the student has a disability and that the accommodations he/she is requesting are, in fact, valid and necessary. Included with the letter are information sheets describing the specific accommodations needed.

Depending on the type of disability, a student may need extended time or a quiet place for exams. Testing accommodations may also be needed if the student requires a reader or scribe. As a service to the students as well as to faculty, the SSD office provides the location and proctors for these exams. The procedure for using testing accommodations is as follows:

• The student will submit an Alternative Testing request via their mySSD portal.
• Prior to any exams, quizzes, or finals we ask that the faculty member fill out the Testing Agreement Form.  The link to this form can be found on the “Faculty Notification Letter” that faculty members received via email or can be accessed in the mySSD Faculty Portal.
• If we have not received the exam prior to the scheduled date, the faculty member will receive a reminder via email.  All exams can be uploaded through the mySSD Faculty Portal or the faculty member can choose to deliver the exam directly to the SSD office.  We are located in the Library(South), room 1202.
• Once the exam is completed, the faculty member will receive a notification via email.
• SSD will return the completed exam the same day or the following morning by courier to the faculty member’s department mailbox.
• Security and complete confidentiality of each faculty member’s test materials are assured at all times.
• Students are expected to take exams at the same time that the classroom exam is scheduled unless arrangements have been made with the faculty member. It may be necessary to reschedule an exam if the extended time would mean that the student would miss another class or if the class meets at a time that the SSD office is not open.
• If the faculty member has any questions about testing accommodations, please contact the Alternate Testing Services Coordinator, Anna Morales, at 559-278-2811.

Yes. SSD will no longer be sending courtesy emails, reminding faculty of the time extension for virtual/online courses for students. Although we encourage students to send an email reminder to the professors, we ask that you take a proactive approach and extend the time in Canvas in advance.  The time extension can be found in the Faculty Notification Letter or on your mySSD Faculty portal. 

Yes.   The SSD guidelines and procedures are meant to be between the SSD office and the student.  As a public institution, we are still required to ensure the students receive their approved academic accommodations. 

Students have the right to privacy in disability matters, and their confidentiality must be maintained. They are not obligated to share a diagnosis, prognosis, or any other details specific to their disability. Disclosure of the student's disability can only be made by the student or with the student's permission. Legally, all information related to the disability and the individual with a disability legally must remain confidential.

If a faculty member is approached by a student who wants to discuss the accommodations listed on the letter from SSD, please be sensitive to the confidential nature of this information and arrange to meet with the student privately.