CAS Information

TESTING MODIFICATIONS POLICIES

Students with disabilities are required to perform the same tasks as every other student in the class. If an adjustment (such as extending the time to take a test) would fundamentally alter the course objectives, the request may be denied.

• Students seeking extra time to complete tests must submit a signed faculty notification form.
• The professor and program personnel determine whether extending the time limit substantially alters the program standards.
• Unless otherwise specified, students requesting extended test time will not receive more than twice the allotted time to complete the test.
• Unlimited time is not permitted.
• Amount of time to complete test, including extended time, begins at the time test is scheduled – not when the student arrives to start the test.
• The test may be scheduled to coincide with the class meeting time only; instructor’s permission to schedule at any other time is required.
• When scheduling a test, there MUST be at least one full school day between when you notify the Center for Accommodative Services and professor and the time of the test; the deadline is 5:00 Friday for any Monday test.
• No unauthorized electronic devices, such as cell phones, iPods, laptops, etc., are allowed in the testing room. Possession of one these devices is a violation of academic integrity and subject to Student Code of Conduct.
• All memory devices used in the testing process will be supplied by the Center for Accommodative Services (i.e., you cannot bring in your own memory stick or flash drive!)

KURZWEIL PERSONAL READER (KPR)

Kurzweil 3000 is text-to-speech software that scans and reads any printed text out loud.  The Kurzweil 3000 may be used to read tests, journal articles, handouts, and chapters in books. Kurzweil Educational Systems

CLASS NOTES

Students with disabilities who require help with class notes use the Sonocent Note-Taker Recorder Program.  To begin using the software, students must watch the 20-minute Webinar training session video.  Once the training session is completed, students are provided with a link to download the program onto their personal laptop and the License Key.  Students must agree to, and sign, the Audio Recording Policy.

Sonocent Recorder is a free app for Android and iOS devices, but cell phone use of this app will be at the discretion of each professor.

Students must stay in contact with the CAS office for the first two weeks of using the software.  Any issues will be addressed during this time period and full activation of the software license will be granted through the end of the semester.  Each semester, the license is re-issued upon request.

POLICY ON RECORDING CLASS LECTURES

The Center for Accommodative Services may recommend that a student with a qualifying disability be permitted to audio record class lectures as an academic adjustment. Use of audio recording class lectures is subject to the following conditions:

1. Recordings of class lectures are only for the student’s personal use in study and preparation related to the class.
2. The student may not share these recordings with any other person, whether or not that person is in his/her class.
3. The student acknowledges that the recordings are sources, the use of which in any academic work is governed by rules of academic conduct at Paul Smith’s College.
4. The student agrees to destroy any recordings that were made when they are no longer needed for his/her academic work.

Students who have been granted permission to audio record class lectures as an accommodation must agree in writing to abide by each of these provisions by signing the Audio Recording Policy.

EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMALS (ESA)

College Emotional Support Animal (ESA) Reasonable Accommodation

• Policy
• Request Form

MEDICAL ACCOMMODATIONS

Medical Housing

• Procedures
• Housing Request Forms
  • Single Room Request
  • Emotional Support Animal Request
• Consent for Release of Information
• Medical Documentation Needed
  • Medical Single Room Documentation
  • Emotional Support Animal Documentation

Medical Withdrawal

• Medical Withdrawal Checklist
• Medical Withdrawal Request Form
• Consent for Release of Information
• Request for Documentation
• Letter to Physician or Mental Health Professional
• Medical Re-Entry Documentation

CONFIDENTIALITY POLICY

1. You sign a written waiver or give verbal permission to the learning specialist to speak with someone else on your behalf (eg. parents, faculty members, health service, personal development counselor, learning resource center, etc.)
2. If someone contacts us from the office referring you to the CAS, it is our policy to let them know that you have come for an appointment.
3. You are in danger of doing harm to yourself or others. In these instances whatever steps are necessary to protect the individuals involved will be taken.
4. The director of Educational Resources provides supervision to the learning specialists at Paul Smith’s. The director of Educational Resources and other professional staff may be consulted regarding any advocacy or educational matters as necessary. Student identity will be kept confidential.
5. The learning specialists may discuss or share information with your professors and parents as necessary only when you sign a waiver. The Buckley Amendment is a short name for a federal law known as the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), which became law in 1974. It gives all parents of students under 18 years of age, and all students over 18 or attending post secondary schools, the right to see, correct and control access to student records.

INFORMED CONSENT

RELEASING CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION

AFFIRMATIVE ACTION OFFICER

SECTION 504/ADA COMPLIANCE OFFICER

Section 504/ADA Compliance Officer – Coordinator of Accommodative Services Paul Smith’s College (518) 327-6415

EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMALS (ESA)

College Emotional Support Animal (ESA) Reasonable Accommodation

• Policy
• Housing Accommodations Application