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ODS Early Self-Identification Policy To all students with disabilities who are registered with ODS: In an effort to foster better communication between students with disabilities and their instructors, we have established a policy re: self-identification for students who anticipate needing any type of classroom and/or test accommodations at any point during the semester. Although most ODS students self-identify their disabilities and related needs to their professors at the beginning of each semester, other students wait until a failed first midterm or when they start having difficulty meeting their regular academic responsibilities. By encouraging open communication at the very beginning of the semester, students and faculty will have an opportunity to establish an early and ongoing dialogue on disability-related strategies and accommodations which can then be responded to during the semester. Initiating the self-disclosure process during the first weeks of the term can then serve as a type of insurance policy for each student. If accommodations are utilized, prior planning and discussion have already taken place; if the student decides not to use accommodations, the instructor is nevertheless aware of the possibility that accommodations may be requested at some later point, on an as-needed basis. Early self-identification is particularly helpful for students with chronic illnesses who may be feeling well at the beginning of the term, but may experience flare-ups of their condition as the semester progresses. In addition, opening the door to a disability discussion can be quite beneficial for students since many Barnard faculty members have had past experience with student disability needs and concerns and can offer valuable tips and suggestions. Since test accommodations are requested and negotiated at the beginning of each semester, students should first visit each class, obtain a copy of the syllabus with course requirements, and then schedule a brief check-in meeting with either Susan or Okie. After a discussion of which (if any) test and/or course accommodations would be helpful, students will then take an ODS-signed Test Accommodations Form (TAF) to their instructor/s for discussion and signature.
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