Stanford
Office of Accessible Education

Faculty & Teaching Staff Role

Stanford University is committed to supporting a diverse community that includes students with disabilities, and to meeting its obligations to such students under the law.  The Office of Accessible Education (OAE), a unit within Student Affairs, provides academic and other accommodations for students with disabilities.  To assist students to be able to participate in the various programs, services, and activities of the institution, and in order to meet the University’s legal obligations, the OAE requires the support, cooperation, and partnership of faculty, other teaching staff, and administrators within the University community.

Accommodation Process

  • The student initiates the process by providing to the Office of Accessible Education (OAE) documentation of his or her disability.
  • The OAE then determines what academic accommodations and services are needed by the student based on that documented disability, and in the context of the specific classes the student is taking. The OAE's recommendations are embodied in an Accommodation Letter, which the student then provides (in confidence) to the teaching staff.
  • The teaching staff then works with the student and the OAE in implementing and/or modifying the recommended accommodations.
  • Academic accommodations are determined on a case-by-case basis. Please note that academic modifications should in no way compromise the essential elements of a course. More information is available at Determining Essential Requirements for Courses/Programs.
  • Teaching staff should consult with OAE before making a determination that academic accommodations and services embodied in an Accommodation Letter would compromise the essential elements of a course and cannot be implemented.

A key point here is that the faculty members should not seek to make arrangements on their own to accommodate student disabilities.  If a student approaches you for a disability-related accommodation, please refer him or her immediately to the OAE. Students who believe they have been denied access to services or accommodations required by law, have the right to use the established grievance procedure and its remedies:  ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act)/Section 504 Grievance Procedure (Student) | Stanford University