As classes move online next week, faculty may rely more on written content, online examinations, web meetings, recorded lectures, and other media content. It is important that students with accommodations communicate with their instructors and to the Office of Accessibility Services (OAS) to provide feedback regarding their needs in the online classroom environment.
Be aware that switching to an online classroom environment may mean that your accommodations change, as follows:
- Certain accommodations may need to be implemented differently in an online classroom, based on the nature of instruction
- Certain accommodations may require additional communication
- Some accommodations may no longer be appropriate/applicable to the online classroom
- Some accommodations may already be built into the design of the online course
- Some accommodations will continue to be provided without any significant changes
While accommodations may be requested at any time during the semester, they do not apply retroactively to past work.
The following information pertains to accommodations generally, but all students should speak with instructors to see how their accommodations will be implemented specifically in the online environment.
- Alternative Formatting of Readings: Students who need assistance receiving their alternative-format readings should contact WVU_Access@mail.wvu.edu if they need assistance using Kurzweil.
- Testing Accommodations: Students who receive extended time for tests, quizzes, and exams should continue to receive this accommodation in the online classroom. Faculty have been provided information on how to implement this accommodation.
If a student has been authorized to receive test questions verbally (rather than in writing), this accommodation can be provided via video call, telephone call, use of document reading technology, or by providing an audio recording of questions and any multiple-choice answers. Please discuss these options with your instructor.
If a student has been authorized to provide answers to questions on tests, quizzes, or exams verbally, this accommodation can be provided via video call, telephone call, audio recording, or speech-to-text technology. Human scribes are not available for online classes. Please discuss these options with your instructor.
Provision of a reduced-distraction testing environment does not apply to online courses; however, students are encouraged to find a quiet place for study in their home environments.
- Notetaking: Notetaking may be provided in a variety of ways online. For courses with live lectures, notetakers can continue to upload notes following class sessions. In other cases, instructors may elect to provide students with access to additional PowerPoint slides and other written notes. Please discuss these options with your instructor.
- Transcribing: Students who receive real-time transcribing can continue to receive this service remotely, as applicable, in an online classroom environment. Transcribers will reach out with additional information.
- Interpreting: Students who receive real-time interpreting can continue to receive this service remotely, as applicable, through Zoom. Interpreters will reach out with additional information.
- Closed Captioning: Students who receive closed captioning accommodations for course media will continue to receive this service for videos and other media shown online.
Faculty will avoid linking evaluative activities (e.g. quizzes, response papers, message board posts, etc.) to course media without first allowing ample time for captions to be created.
As classes migrate online, students with questions or requests regarding captioning and interpreting are encouraged to contact Jason.Kapcala@mail.wvu.edu at the Office of Accessibility Services or to call 304-293-0458.