Faculty Resoruces

Federal civil rights laws prohibit discrimination on the basis of disability and require colleges and universities to provide equal access to educational opportunities. These laws apply to nearly all institutions of postsecondary education in the United States.

Postsecondary institutions are required to provide reasonable academic adjustments and auxiliary aids when necessary to ensure that students with disabilities are not subjected to discrimination. Institutions are not required to lower or waive essential course requirements, fundamentally alter academic programs, or implement accommodations that would impose an undue administrative or financial burden.

Provide Reasonable Accommodations

Faculty are responsible for implementing approved accommodations outlined in a student’s official Letter of Accommodation (LOA). Accommodations are determined through an interactive process between the student and Student Accessibility Services (SAS).

Recommedned Syllabus Statement

“Students with disabilities who are requesting, or may need to request, accommodations are encouraged to contact Student Accessibility Services (SAS) as early as possible in the term. Students may also communicate with their instructor once accommodations are approved. SAS can be reached at accessibility@gptc.edu or 404-297-9522 ext. 1385.”

Ensure Access to Instruction and Materials

Faculty should ensure that classroom instruction, assessments, and course materials are accessible to all students. This may include flexibility in instructional methods or assessment formats when appropriate.

Maintain Confidentiality

All information related to a student’s disability status and accommodations is confidential. Faculty should store accommodation letters securely and avoid discussing disability-related information in the presence of others who do not have an educational need to know.

While faculty are responsible for maintaining an accessible learning environment, students must initiate accommodation requests through Student Accessibility Services and provide their LOA to instructors. Including an accessibility statement in the course syllabus is strongly encouraged.

Examples of Reasonable Accommodations

Alternative Testing:

• Alternative testing accommodations can be applied to any assessment (quizzes, exams, final exams). Testing accommodations are more commonly referred to as exam accommodations.

Quick Links:

Referring Students to Student Accessbility Services (SAS):

Student Accessibility Services (SAS) is the designated office at Georgia Piedmont Technical College responsible for determining reasonable accommodations and support services for students with disabilities. GPTC is committed to ensuring equal access and opportunity in higher education for academically qualified students with disabilities. Faculty and staff are often the first individuals to whom students disclose health conditions, disabilities, or access-related concerns. To support timely and appropriate referrals, the following resources are provided to assist faculty and staff in connecting students with Student Accessibility Services.

When to Provide a Direct SAS Referral

A direct referral to Student Accessibility Services (SAS) is appropriate if a student discloses any of the following:

• The student shares a disability and/or health condition that is impacting their academic experience (e.g., a student discloses depression, anxiety, a medical condition, or use of medication affecting class performance).
• The student indicates they previously received accommodations or support services in another setting, such as at a previous college or in K–12 education (e.g., extended test time, note-taking support, or other academic adjustments).

Faculty and staff should adjust their language to fit the context of the conversation while remaining supportive and neutral. Below are example talking points and a follow-up email template you may use.

Sample Talking Points (Faculty/Staff)

“Thank you for sharing this information with me. I appreciate you being open, and I want to make sure you have access to the right support. To best assist you, I recommend connecting with Student Accessibility Services. They provide confidential support to students with disabilities and work directly with students to identify access needs and reasonable accommodations. Once accommodations are approved, they will also guide me on how to best support you in the classroom. Would you like their contact information to get started?”

Sample Follow-Up Email Template

Subject: Student Accessibility Services – Support Resources

Hello [Student Name],

Thank you for taking the time to speak with me. It was great learning more about you and discussing your experience in the course.

I wanted to follow up by sharing information about Student Accessibility Services (SAS) at Georgia Piedmont Technical College. SAS supports students with disabilities and health-related conditions by helping identify appropriate resources and reasonable accommodations to ensure equal access to coursework and campus programs.

You may contact Student Accessibility Services directly at:

Email: accessibility@gptc.edu
Phone: 404-297-9522 ext. 1385

Connecting with SAS is confidential and student-driven, and they will guide you through next steps if you choose to pursue accommodations.

Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions related to the course. I’m glad to support you.

Best regards,
[Your Name]

When to Provide a SAS Resource

Not all students who experience academic challenges will require support from Student Accessibility Services (SAS). When you notice a student struggling, engage with them directly in a supportive manner and share information about available campus resources.

Faculty and staff should not ask a student whether they have a disability or whether they need disability-related supports. Instead, provide information about a range of relevant campus resources, including Student Accessibility Services,and allow the student to independently decide whether to pursue support. Students are not required to disclose a disability to you or to SAS.

Student Accessibility Services (SAS) works with students who have a wide range of disabilities and health-related conditions to ensure equal access to academic programs and campus services.

For more information or to connect with Student Accessibility Services: