Accessibility for Faculty
Kent State University is committed to ensuring equal access for students with disabilities. Student Accessibility Services (SAS) is one of the primary resources that helps to fulfill this commitment. By collaborating closely with faculty, together we provide the necessary accommodations and resources to support students throughout their academic journey.
For more information on working with students with disabilities and the benefits of making your class accessible for all, explore the links below.
Accommodations on the Course Accommodation Letter (CAL) are grouped into these categories:
Flex Plan
What is a Flex Plan?
The intent of the Flex Plan accommodation is to assist with sporadic, unpredictable, and severe instances of disability-related flare-ups. It is designed to build in a slight amount of flexibility (e.g., 1-2 additional absences, 1-3 day extensions) to address brief disability impacts. The student’s course accommodation letter (CAL) will designate what type of flexibility is required (i.e. attendance/deadlines, deadlines). SAS determines Flex Plan accommodations on a case-by-case basis using an interactive process that evaluates the barriers to equal access caused by a student’s disability. Students seeking flexibility with practicums, internships, field placements, etc. should consult SAS at least one semester in advance.
What a Flex Plan accommodation is not:
Communication and Retroactive Adjustments:
- Students should request their Flex Plan accommodation and submit their flexibility proposals at the beginning of the semester to allow sufficient time for discussion with instructors and to ensure that appropriate accommodations are in place.
- It is not a substitute for ongoing communication between the student and instructor. Students are expected to follow the agreed-upon Flex Plan parameters and proactively reach out to their instructor when flexibility is needed.
- It is not intended to retroactively excuse missed work or attendance if no prior communication or agreement was made.
Attendance and Absences:
- This accommodation is not intended to comprehensively address situations where a student is unable to attend class or meet deadlines on a regular, ongoing basis.
- It should not significantly alter attendance requirements for a course or be used to facilitate remote participation or asynchronous course completion.
- It does not apply to absences due to routine medical appointments or other situations already addressed under the university’s administrative class attendance and absence policy.
Deadlines and Assignments:
- The Flex Plan accommodation does not offer pre-determined automatic extensions for all assignments, nor does it allow for extensions beyond the end of the semester.
- It does not guarantee extended deadlines for short-turnaround assignments (e.g., daily or next-day tasks), especially when timely submission is critical to the course design or instructional sequence.
- It does not override essential course components as determined by academic departments or instructors.
Group Work and Collaborative Assignments:
- This accommodation generally does not offer flexibility for group work or other collaborative assignments, such as discussion boards, because a student’s individual accommodations should not affect the group's overall progress or the specific learning outcomes of the assignment.
How do students use a Flex Plan accommodation?
- Student requests relevant accommodations in Access KSU.
- Instructor receives CAL via email. Student initiates Flex Plan proposal in Access KSU. SAS reviews the proposal for clarity and appropriate use, then prompts instructor to review the proposal using the Access KSU instructor portal.
- Instructor reviews the proposal and provides feedback. If needed, SAS will facilitate a conversation with the instructor, the student, and relevant academic administrators to identify flexibility.
- All parties receive a copy of the final flex plan agreement.
What should instructors do with this accommodation?
- Instructors should review the Flex Plan proposal and provide feedback to SAS if the student’s request is not reasonable based on the course learning outcomes. SAS can help to facilitate a conversation between the instructor and student if there is disagreement in the amount of flexibility.
- Where possible, instructors should consider alternative methods for assessing learning outcomes. Examples include permitting the student to present directly to the instructor in place of presenting to the entire class or offering an alternate assignment or activity for class participation that would meet the same learning outcomes.
- Students with the Flex Plan accommodation for attendance flexibility do not need to provide medical documentation for disability-related absences. Absences not related to the student’s disability impact are not included in this accommodation.
- Instructors are not required to re-teach material missed due to a disability-related absence. It is the student’s responsibility to follow up with the instructor about any missed content.
- If any amount of flexibility would alter the instructor’s ability to assess course learning outcomes, the instructor should contact SAS to discuss possible options. Relevant academic administrators, such as department chairs, will be included in these discussions as necessary.
Who can assist with this accommodation?
- SAS: Emma Weihe, sasflex@kent.edu. If you are a faculty member at a regional campus, please contact your SAS Coordinator for support.
- Canvas How-To: Extend an Assignment Due Date
- The Center for Teaching and Learning can consult with faculty who want more guidance on building flexibility into their courses without lowering academic standards.
Alternative Formats
What are alternative format accommodations?
Alternative format accommodations are intended to provide access for students with print-based disabilities, including visual and learning disabilities. These accommodations are determined based on individual needs after a review of relevant documentation and student information. SAS provides electronic versions of print-based materials, including textbooks, and will edit electronic document files to ensure accessibility based on individual student need.
- E-text: This accommodation is appropriate for students whose disability requires an audio form of written materials. SAS will provide students with an electronic copy of any required course materials; students must purchase any textbooks or materials that are not provided by the instructor or the university.
- Enlarged Print: This accommodation is appropriate for students whose disability requires enlarged text for printed items. Where possible, this accommodation is provided electronically through digital materials that can be enlarged on a computer screen. Items that cannot be enlarged digitally may be enlarged manually and provided on paper. Students may need to utilize the CCTV to enlarge maps, models, or other detailed documents. If a hard copy of materials is necessary for in-class participation, students should alert SAS as soon as possible.
- Braille: In some circumstances, printed materials that cannot be made accessible digitally may be converted to Braille or tactile format. SAS will work with the student to provide these materials as needed.
How do students use an alternative format accommodation?
- Students are responsible for acquiring textbooks and other course materials that are not provided by the instructor or the university prior to receiving the appropriate alternative format of that item.
- Students are responsible for identifying and using the appropriate technology needed to utilize all accommodations, including a device and screen reader or text-to-speech program. SAS is not responsible for training students to use this technology but can provide suggestions for training resources and free or low-cost software options.
What should instructors do with this accommodation?
Provide all materials electronically as early in the semester as possible. SAS may retrieve materials from your Canvas course if editing is required or will contact the instructor for specific information.
Who can assist with this accommodation?
- SAS: Eileen Mlachak, emlachak@kent.edu. If you are a faculty member at a regional campus, contact your SAS Coordinator.
- Canvas How-To: Adding Course Content to a Module
- Digital Accessibility: How to Create Accessible Documents
- Training: Equal Access Academy; Individual, email Doug Flower at dflower7@kent.edu.
Classroom Access
What are classroom access accommodations?
Classroom access accommodations may be required for students whose disability impacts their ability to listen to lectures, participate in class discussions, utilize existing classroom furniture, or otherwise interact with course material within the classroom. This includes a wide variety of physical, medical, psychological, and learning disabilities. These accommodations are determined based on individual needs after a review of relevant documentation and student information. Many of these accommodations are things students will utilize on their own as needed
Descriptions for each accommodation are detailed on the student's course accommodation letter. Click here for more information about the presentation and group work/participation accommodation.
How do students use a classroom access accommodation?
Students provide the necessary technology to utilize classroom access accommodations and may utilize laptops, tablets, or phones for the purposes of taking notes, recording lectures, or viewing course materials.
What should instructors do with this accommodation?
Speak with the student prior to class to understand how they would like to utilize their classroom access accommodations. Many of these accommodations are facilitated by the student and require no action on the part of the instructor.
Who can assist with this accommodation?
- SAS: Any Access Advisor, sas@kent.edu or 330-672-3391. If you are a faculty member at a regional campus, contact your SAS Coordinator.
- Canvas Support:
- Training: Equal Access Academy
Communication Access
What are communication access accommodations?
Communication access accommodations are intended to provide access for students whose disabilities impact communication, particularly Deaf/Hard of Hearing students and those with Auditory Processing Disorder. These accommodations are determined based on individual needs, including students’ preferences and history of accommodation. Access advisors consult with the Speech and Hearing Clinic to interpret audiograms and better understand the appropriate devices and services to accommodate students.
- ASL Interpreters: This accommodation is appropriate for Deaf/Hard of Hearing students whose primary language is American Sign Language. SAS will coordinate ASL interpreters for students for academically required activities, such as classes, internships, and other experiential learning associated with a course or program of study.
- Real-time Transcribing: This accommodation is appropriate for Deaf/Hard of Hearing students who do not rely on ASL. SAS will coordinate real-time transcribing accommodations for academically required activities, such as classes, internships, and other experiential learning associated with a course or program of study. Instructors may be asked to wear a microphone and may be asked to repeat questions asked by other students.
- Closed-Captioned Videos: This accommodation provides captions to videos used for instruction. SAS will coordinate this accommodation by working with instructors to identify videos and provide captioned versions prior to the video being shown in class or posted online.
- FM Units: This accommodation provides students with an FM unit to amplify sound directly into an earpiece worn by the student. The unit is provided by SAS at no cost to the student. Instructors may be asked to wear a microphone and may be asked to repeat questions asked by other students.
How do students use a communication access accommodation?
Students are responsible for getting necessary technology from SAS for classroom use, as well as for communicating with SAS about any concerns.
What should instructors do with this accommodation?
- Wear a microphone or transmitting device whenever requested.
- It can be helpful to repeat questions asked by other students so that the question can be heard. Speak directly to students, rather than interpreters.
- Share course materials to assist with preparation for service providers. Add interpreters and transcribers to Canvas courses as requested. If a textbook is needed, SAS can provide it.
- Assist the student and interpreter(s) in finding the best location in the classroom. If additional furniture is needed to accommodate interpreters, contact SAS as soon as possible.
Who can assist with this accommodation?
- SAS: Eileen Mlachak, emlachak@kent.edu. If you are a faculty member at a regional campus, contact your SAS Coordinator.
- Canvas How-To: Adding an Announcement
- Digital Accessibility: Kaltura Reach Captioning Tool
- Training: Equal Access Academy; Individual, email Johnny Rocco at jrocco2@kent.edu.
Testing Services
What are testing accommodations?
Testing accommodations are designed to provide equal access to the opportunity to demonstrate course knowledge. Testing accommodations may be required for students whose disability impairs their ability to take exams or quizzes using the standard conditions of the classroom. Testing accommodations apply to traditionally-timed assessments, including exams, quizzes, and finals.
Students with exam accommodations can use the SAS testing center, an alternative location arranged with the instructor, or have the accommodations implemented within the Canvas course. Instructors may be asked to proctor exams for classes that fall outside of the SAS testing hours unless students are permitted to take the exam at a different day and time.
Descriptions for each accommodation are detailed on the student's course accommodation letter. Click here for more information about the memory aid and calculator accommodations.
How do students use testing accommodations?
- Students should communicate with their instructor about if or how they plan to use their testing accommodations.
- When testing in SAS:
- Students are responsible for scheduling their exams in SAS at least three business days in advance.
- Students are expected to take their exams at the same day and time as the class unless written permission from the instructor is provided.
- Students should bring their own materials, including pens/pencils, calculators, blue books, or computers. Students may be responsible for using their own laptop if personal laptops are being used for testing in the classroom.
- All personal items, including phones, smart watches, and headphones, must be turned off and placed in a locker. Exams may be stopped if SAS suspects that students are utilizing prohibited items.
What should instructors do with this accommodation?
- When testing in SAS (at the Kent campus):
- At least one day prior to the exam, send exams and exam instructions to SAS using the Access KSU instructor portal.
- Exams may also be delivered in person to University Library Suite 100. If exams are delivered in person, instructors must still complete the exam instruction form via Access KSU to ensure SAS has all necessary proctoring information. Exams will be returned through the Access KSU instructor portal or may be picked up in person at SAS.
- When testing on Canvas:
- Ensure extended time has been added for each assessment.
- If a student’s accommodation requires them to test in SAS, instructors may be asked to turn off Proctorio settings for that student.
- When proctoring exams:
- Ensure students have all accommodations as specified in their course accommodation letter, including an appropriate location.
- When testing in SAS (regional campuses):
- Consult with your regional SAS Coordinator to get details about testing at your campus.
Who can assist with this accommodation?
- SAS: Patti Marcum, pmarcum@kent.edu. If you are a faculty member at a regional campus, contact your SAS Coordinator.
- Online Proctoring Support: Review guidance and tutorials for administering online proctoring, including Proctorio. Note: Students cannot use Proctorio at SAS. If accommodations require students to test in SAS, you may be asked to remove your exam from Proctorio for that student to facilitate SAS proctoring the exam.
- Canvas How-To:
- Giving Extra Quiz Time to Certain Students
- Add Extra Time on All Assessments At Once For Certain Students
- The Center for Teaching and Learning has many educational resources that explore varied teaching and assessment methods.