As a student with a disability, you have certain rights and responsibilities when it comes to ensuring equal access at a postsecondary institution. The U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights has put together a pamphlet outlining the rights and responsibilities of students with disabilities. You can find this document online or order a free copy at the following link: Students with Disabilities Preparing for Postsecondary Education: Know Your Rights and Responsibilities.
Teh Center for Accessibility and Disability Resources (CADR) has put together a document regarding rights and responsibilities that are specific to students using accommodations at NDSU. Students who register with CADR are asked to review and acknowledge their understanding of these rights and responsibilities through the Bison Accessibility Portal in order to facilitate the process of receiving and using accommodations at NDSU. Students with disabilities who know their rights and responsibilities are much better equipped to succeed as students seeking a higher education degree.
As a registered student with CADR it is important to understand your rights and responsibilities related to using your accommodations at NDSU. Follow up with your Specialist if you have questions after reviewing this document.

Student Rights

1.    It is your right to have equal access to your educational experiences at NDSU. It is your right to use individualized accommodations to remove or reduce disability-related barriers you experience in your classroom or learning environment.

2.    It is your right to decide if and when you will use your accommodations each semester. Accommodation Letter(s) will be sent to your professor(s) through email when you select your accommodations for each class each semester. It is strongly recommended that you meet with your professor to discuss how your accommodations will be implemented in each class.  Accommodations will not apply to any coursework that takes place prior to the Accommodation e-mail being sent to the instructor. Accommodations are not retroactive.

3.    It is your right to request adjustments to your accommodations at any time. All requests will be reviewed by your disability specialist and approved, as appropriate, in order to ensure equal access. Changes made to accommodations will be in effect after an updated Accommodation Letter (e-mail) is delivered to your instructor(s).

4.    It is your right to have your disability kept confidential as the law allows. CADR will not share information regarding your disability with any faculty, staff, parent, or other entities unless you have completed a Release of Information and given permission to do so or there is an explicit need to know.

5.    It is your right to have your approved accommodations provided to you free of charge, as mandated in the Americans with Disabilities Act. DS will never charge you for your accommodations.

Student Responsibilites

1.    Each semester, it is your responsibility to log into the Bison Accessibility Portal and select the accommodations you want for each class. Accommodations become effective on the date the Accommodation Letter (e-mail) is sent to your instructor(s). Accommodations are not retroactive. 
2.    It is strongly recommended that you speak with your professor to discuss how your accommodations will be implemented in their class.
3.    It is your responsibility to read each class syllabus and talk with instructors about the ways in which the course structure and essential requirements may impact the use of your accommodations.
4.    It is your responsibility to report problems to your Accessibility Specialist regarding instructors who are not providing accommodations appropriately. This should be done in a timely manner, during the semester the problem is occurring, and not after assignments were due, exams given or after grades have been given for the course.

Notetaking Accommodations

Notetaking accommodations supplement in-class learning and are not a substitute for attending class. Notetaking accommodations may not be provided for classes which you do not attend.

Testing Accommodations

If you have testing accommodations, it is your responsibility to discuss testing accommodation options with your instructors. Instructors who would like you to test in the Center for Accessibility and Disability Resources, will need to submit exam information at least 5 BUSINESS DAYS prior to the exam. All exam/quiz appointments must be scheduled at least five business days in advance through the Bison Accessibility Portal and final exam appointments three weeks in advance (15 business days). 

Texts in Alternative Formats

If you have texts in alternative format as an accommodation, you must submit an online request for any materials you need in an alternative format. All requests must include a receipt showing the purchase of the requested books/materials required in an alternative format. Requests for Alternative formats should be submitted four (4) weeks, prior to the beginning of the semester. These timelines will provide the Center for Accessibility and Disability Resources with sufficient time to contact instructors and other alternative media resources in order to request a copy of the text for scanning. If a copy of the text is available through any of these sources, the text will be processed into the requested format, and CADR will notify the student when the text is available.

Deaf/Hard-of-Hearing Services

Requests for interpreter and/or live captioning (CART or Typewell) services should be completed immediately following your registration for classes in order to assure these services can be provided on the first day of class.