UNC Chapel Hill: Disability Services: How We Can Help

Faculty Information

The administration of examinations is the responsibility of the faculty and course instructors. Students with disabilities may require accommodations to ensure they have equal access to the examination process. If at all possible, faculty is encouraged to proctor their own examinations in the event there are clarifying questions. As some recommended accommodations my cause an inconvenience for the faculty to proctor an examination, the Department of Disability Services will assume this responsibility for the faculty.

Student Information
Students will communicate with each faculty member regarding the need for alternative examinations.

I. Testing modifications may include the following:

Accessible Medium
Test will be transcribed into Braille or large print. In some instances, students' responses may be in Braille. Braille responses will be transcribed into print without errors in spelling, syntax or grammar corrected. (Braille answers will be returned with printed answers.)
OPTSCAN “Bubble Sheet” - students may respond to the questions on examinations/quizzes and the responses will then be transcribed on the OPTSCAN sheet. The original response sheet will be returned to the instructor.
Computer responses- For a variety of reasons, due to the impact of a disability/medical condition, the use of a computer with or without adaptive software may be necessary to provide access for a student to independently complete examinations.

- The use of spell or grammar checker is a common “accommodation” for some students. It is the responsibility of faculty, however, to determine if technical standards require the student to demonstrate proficiency without assistance.

- Internet access will be allowed by permission of the faculty member.
Dictated/Oral examinations
1. If A., B., or. C is not feasible/possible options, the student may dictate to an amanuensis (scribe) who will enter the responses to examination/quiz questions on the computer or the examination form (e.g. calculation, graphing, etc.) The student will be responsible for all spelling, grammar, and syntax. The amanuensis cannot be any person who has worked with the student as a reader, tutor, note-taker or study assistant in the course for which the examination/quiz is offered.
  Other than those stated acceptable by the course instructor, the only notes a student may use are those dictated to an amanuensis for outline purposes after reading the examination questions. All notes will be returned with responses.
2. Oral examinations may be permitted when technical criteria (spelling, grammar, punctuation, syntax) are not at issue. All oral responses must be recorded as proof the examination was completed and to serve as evidence in the event of a grade appeal. This option requires faculty approval.
Approved Materials Some examinations require/permit the use of reference materials, class notes and/or calculators. The faculty member will be asked to approve any of the above.
Extended Time- Extended time for examinations/quizzes is a reasonable accommodation for some students for a variety of reasons. The appropriate time extension will be determined on an individual basis. Unless, unusual circumstances prevail, generally, time and one half (1 ½ X) or double time (2X) are sufficient to meet most access issues.

MWF classes 50 minutes @ 1 ½ X = 75 minutes @ 2X = 100 minutes

TTh classes 75 minutes @ 1 ½ X = 115 minutes @ 2X = 150 minutes

If quizzes/examinations are not scheduled for the entire class/final examination time, extended time will be calculated based on the time provided to the class.

Extended time does not guarantee that a student can complete an examination, unless that expectation is extended to the rest of the class
Proctored Examinations
1. All examinations will be taken at the regularly scheduled class time.
  If a conflict exists because of a class following the regularly scheduled class, then:
  
  The examination will begin the class period prior (if possible) to the regularly scheduled time, or
  1. The examination will be taken the same day, at the first available time slot, or
  2. Occasionally, a time conflict may arise and the examination will be taken in two (2) parts at different
  3. times on the same day. This option will be provided only after consultation with the faculty.
  4. If the examination is to be taken on any day other than the regularly scheduled time, the student must provide written permission from the faculty member for each examination.
  5. Faculty have the option to provide an alternate examination in the event of any of the above, however, the examination cannot be of greater or lesser difficulty than the original examination and must cover the same material.
    
    For options a) & b) the faculty will be consulted as to possible preferences.
    
    A student who misses a scheduled examination will be required to reschedule with their faculty member* as Disability Services cannot excuse an absence from an examination. All examinations/quizzes will be returned to the faculty noting the student’s absence at the prescribed time.
    *The Department of Disability Services will continue to be available to proctor any re-scheduled examinations.
2. Honor Code – for examinations taken at times other than regularly scheduled, the following Honor Code statement will be provided:
  
  “I understand that taking an exam before others carries with it the responsibility, under the Honor Code, of ensuring confidentiality of the exam. My signature indicates that I agree that I will not in any way, make known to any other person, any portion of the content of this exam until all students in the class have taken the exam.”
  
  In the event of suspected cheating, Disability Services will report the incident to the Student Attorney General and faculty in charge of the course.
3. Unless verified by Disability Services, tardiness of a reader, tutor or note- taker employed by the student is not reasonable justification to warrant delay of an examination.
4. A student who is late for an examination must finish the test in the time remaining. Extended time is calculated from the scheduled start time of the test.
5. Breaks for rest, nourishment and medical maintenance issues are included in the extended time determination.
Location - Proctoring
Students are encouraged to take examinations with the faculty member and class so they may have direct access for clarification of questions. If for any reason, the faculty is unable to provide recommended accommodations, Disability Services will proctor the examination at the Student Academic Services Building (SASB).
Examination Deliveries/Returns
1. Electronic -
  Faculty Notification
  Two days prior to a scheduled examination the course instructor will be notified by email of Disability Services availability to proctor an examination. The email will provide a link https://disabilityservices.unc.edu/dropbox for faculty to send (as an attachment) the examination and additional instructions. Faculty will be notified that the examination has been received.
2. In Person -
  1. The student will bring the envelope to the class, receive final instructions, and bring a copy of the examination to the Disability Services, in the sealed, initialed envelop.
  2. The Disability Services representative will come to the faculty/departmental office, or classroom to pick up the examination.
  3. The faculty may, at their convenience deliver the envelope to Disability Services, located in Suite 2126 Student Academic Services Building.
3. Return of Examinations -
  As soon as possible at the conclusion of the examination activity, the examination will be returned:
  1. Electronically to the faculty or designee,
  2. In the sealed and signed/initialed test envelop to an office/department designated by the faculty.
  3. The faculty or their designee may, at their convenience pick the envelope up at Disability Services.

Questions, comments? Email us at disabilityservices@unc.edu
(919) 962-8300