{"id":38,"date":"2026-06-15T14:07:59","date_gmt":"2026-06-15T18:07:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/disability\/?page_id=38"},"modified":"2026-10-14T14:04:42","modified_gmt":"2026-10-14T18:04:42","slug":"facilitating-resources","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/disability\/faculty-staff\/facilitating-resources\/","title":{"rendered":"Facilitating Resources"},"content":{"rendered":"

Implementing accommodations is a shared responsibility between students, faculty, staff, and Disability & Access Services. The resources below are designed to provide practical guidance for facilitating approved accommodations and creating accessible learning environments.<\/span><\/p>\n

Whether you have questions about implementing a specific accommodation, preparing accessible course materials, administering an accommodated exam, or navigating a disability-related concern, these resources can help. DAS is also available to consult with faculty and staff when additional guidance or support is needed.<\/span><\/p>\n

If you would like to request a training with DAS, please reach out to access@bu.edu<\/a> and we can coordinate a time.<\/p>\n

Faculty and Staff Rights and Responsibilities<\/h5>
<\/p>\n

Faculty and other teaching professionals have the right to:<\/span><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Hold all students to the same essential course requirements and behavioral expectations.<\/b> Accommodations are intended to provide equitable access to the course and do not require faculty to waive essential academic or program requirements.<\/span><\/li>\n
  2. Receive information regarding students’ approved accommodations.<\/b> DAS provides faculty with information about approved accommodations and guidance regarding their implementation. Faculty are not entitled to information about a student’s diagnosis, medical history, or other confidential disability-related information beyond what is necessary to facilitate the approved accommodation.<\/span><\/li>\n
  3. Provide input regarding the implementation of an approved accommodation.<\/b> Faculty may work with DAS to determine how an accommodation can be implemented effectively within the context of a particular course, assignment, or activity. Faculty may not independently deny or discontinue an accommodation approved by DAS.<\/span><\/li>\n
  4. Raise concerns with DAS about the implementation or appropriateness of an approved accommodation.<\/b> Faculty should contact DAS if they believe an accommodation may interfere with an essential course requirement, learning objective, program requirement, technical standard, or otherwise cannot be implemented as approved. DAS will work with the faculty member and student, as appropriate, to review the concern and determine an appropriate course of action.<\/span><\/li>\n
  5. Consult with DAS regarding disability-related questions or concerns.<\/b> Faculty are encouraged to contact DAS when they have questions about accommodation implementation, accessibility, or how to address a disability-related concern in their course.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Faculty and other teaching professionals have the responsibility to:<\/span><\/p>\n

      \n
    1. Provide approved accommodations in accordance with the student’s accommodation letter.<\/b> Faculty may implement accommodations directly, coordinate implementation through appropriate teaching staff, or consult with DAS when assistance is needed.<\/span><\/li>\n
    2. Ensure that teaching staff involved in the course are informed of relevant approved accommodations.<\/b> Faculty are responsible for communicating accommodation-related information to Teaching Assistants and other teaching professionals who are involved in instruction or accommodation implementation, as appropriate, and ensuring that they have access to the information necessary to facilitate approved accommodations.<\/span><\/li>\n
    3. Maintain the confidentiality of disability-related information.<\/b> Faculty should only access and discuss information necessary to facilitate a student’s approved accommodations. <\/span>Faculty should not ask students to disclose their diagnosis, medical condition, symptoms, medical history, or other disability-related information.<\/b> If additional information is needed to understand or implement an accommodation, faculty should contact DAS rather than seeking medical or diagnostic information directly from the student.<\/span><\/li>\n
    4. Contact DAS with questions or concerns about an accommodation.<\/b> Faculty should not independently modify, deny, or discontinue an approved accommodation. If questions arise about the scope, implementation, or impact of an accommodation, DAS is available to consult with faculty and assist in determining an appropriate approach.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

      Getting Started: Receiving an Accommodation Letter<\/h5>
      <\/p>\n

      When you receive an accommodation notification from DAS:<\/span><\/p>\n

        \n
      1. Review the student’s approved accommodations.<\/b> Focus on the accommodations listed in the student’s letter and how they apply to your course.<\/span><\/li>\n
      2. Consider course-specific implementation.<\/b> Some accommodations may require advance planning, particularly for exams, labs, field experiences, presentations, or other activities with unique requirements.<\/span><\/li>\n
      3. Communicate with the student as appropriate.<\/b> Students and faculty may discuss practical aspects of implementing an accommodation, but students are not required to disclose their diagnosis or medical information.<\/span><\/li>\n
      4. Maintain confidentiality.<\/b> Accommodation information should only be shared with individuals who need the information to assist with implementation.<\/span><\/li>\n
      5. Contact DAS with questions or concerns.<\/b> DAS can assist when an accommodation is unclear, presents an implementation challenge, or may interact with an essential course requirement.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

        Important: Faculty Do Not Need to Know a Student’s Diagnosis<\/b><\/h3>\n

        Faculty are provided with information about a student’s approved accommodations, not their diagnosis or medical history. Faculty should not ask students to disclose their diagnosis, symptoms, medical history, medications, or other medical information.<\/span><\/p>\n

        <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

        Specific Accommodation Implementation\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n
        Extended Time on Exams<\/h5>
        <\/p>\n

        Faculty should:<\/span><\/p>\n