Faculty Guidance | Student Access Office

We partner with faculty to provide reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities, ensuring equal access while maintaining academic integrity.

The Student Access Office (SAO) is Adelphi University’s resource for evaluating student accommodation requests and assisting campus partners with implementing appropriate, reasonable accommodations pursuant to federal law (including the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973). As an institute of higher education, Adelphi’s academic programs, courses, services, facilities and activities must be accessible to students with disabilities.

Disclosing a disability and requesting accommodations are personal decisions for each student. The best way for Faculty to support our students with disabilities, especially those that are new to Adelphi, is to inform them of their resources on campus (including the SAO) and encourage them to reach out for assistance if needed.

We understand you may have questions about providing services to students and creating a climate of mutual understanding, appreciation and support throughout the campus. We are here to answer your questions and provide support and guidance to appropriate campus resources.

What are Academic Accommodations?

Academic Accommodations are reasonable adjustments, aides, or modifications that ensure equal access and mitigate barriers related to a student’s disability. If such a barrier exists, Adelphi must offer a reasonable accommodation to mitigate that barrier. Reasonable accommodations are not intended to provide preferential treatment or an unfair advantage—they are intended to “level the playing field”.

In order to use their approved accommodations in a given course, students must complete the mandatory SAO Online Orientation provided by our office that details how their accommodations are to be properly implemented. Students are then required to “self-identify” to their individual instructors by providing a copy of their Letter of Accommodation (LOA), authored by the SAO. Please note that some accommodations require additional training, paperwork and collaboration between Faculty and the SAO.

Syllabus Statement

Please include the following statement in your course syllabus:

“If you require disability-related accommodations for this course, you are encouraged to contact the Student Access Office (SAO) at 516.877.3806 or at sao@adelphi.edu. In support of the most accessible student experience possible, the SAO will work with you to make an individualized assessment of your needs and to eliminate barriers with appropriate, reasonable accommodations.”

Roles and Responsibilities in the Accommodations Process

Include the most up-to-date SAO Accessibility Statement (see above) on all syllabi.
Refer students to the SAO if they self-identify as having a disability and/or a need for accommodations.
- Requests for accommodations must come to the SAO directly from the student; assuming a student has a disability may be perceived as “discriminatory”.
Verify approved accommodations by asking to see the student’s “LOA” (Letter of Accommodation).
Work with the student and the SAO to ensure the provision of reasonable accommodations.
Contact the SAO for assistance, clarification, or verification whenever needed

Professors have the right to choose the format, modality and content when designing their course; reasonable accommodations cannot fundamentally alter the structure or modality of any course or its requirements.
Professors have the right to enforce the Student Conduct Policy regardless of a student’s disability status.

Meet the qualifications and maintain essential institutional standards for courses, programs, services, activities and facilities.
Properly notify instructors of approved accommodations in a timely manner (either at the beginning of the semester, or as soon as possible upon SAO approval).
- Students self-identify by providing their formal Letter of Accommodation (LOA) to faculty, staff or administration as needed.
Follow policies and procedures for utilizing their approved, on-file accommodations which are outlined in student’s mandatory Online Orientation.

Students have the right to receive reasonable accommodations on the basis of a disability once approved by the Student Access Office. Once approved, students have the right to use or not use their accommodations depending on the course, environment or circumstance.
Students have the right to fully participate in the Adelphi coursework and activities for which they are qualified, regardless of disability status.
Students have the right to privacy (under FERPA); their information regarding their accommodations/disability status cannot be shared with anyone outside of the SAO.

Ensure equal access to all Adelphi University programs, activities, services, and facilities for students with documented disabilities, pursuant to federal civil rights law.
Act as the sole entity at Adelphi University qualified to approve and advise on reasonable accommodations.
Ensure compliance with federal law and Adelphi University policy while upholding academic standards and integrity.
Assist students in requesting/utilizing accommodations.
Assist faculty and staff in implementing students’ approved accommodations.