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Instructor guides, FAQs, consultation, trainings, and more.
These resources are here for instructors to support them in their role when it comes to providing accommodations. Getting students equal access to their education through accommodations is a collaborative effort between the McBurney Center staff, the students seeking accommodations, and their instructors. We offer instructor guides, FAQs, consultation, trainings, and more.
An important distinction: Accommodations do not ensure success in your class – they are not shortcuts or lowering the standards of the course. Accommodations provide equal opportunities to pursue learning.
Instructor Portal
The “Instructor Portal” is the application for instructors of record to review accommodation requests, called Student Accommodation Letters, submitted from students in their classes. It can be accessed through the McBurney Connect page by selecting the “Instructor Portal Login” and logging in using your NetID. More information is available in the Instructor Portal FAQ.
Instructor Guides and Training
The Instructor Guide to Student Accommodations, launched in 2024, is a four topic resource for both new and current instructors, including faculty, instructional staff, and TAs. It can be completed from start to finish, or instructors can reference it as they have questions.
Limited Flexibility Accommodations are designed to address the impact of a brief, intermittent, and unpredictable disability-related flare that interferes with course activities on a standard timeline. The Limited Flexibility Accommodations Guide is designed to help instructors navigate these accommodations.
Instructor Frequently Asked Questions
We understand that the process of providing student accommodations can be daunting at first, and we are here to help. Here are some answers to the questions we frequently get asked at the McBurney Center:
Additional Training for Instructors and Departments
The McBurney Center also provides department and group trainings, both virtually and in-person, for those who are looking to learn more. That information can be found on our Accessibility Resources for Departments page.
If instructors have any specific questions or would like more guidance about a specific accommodation request, they should contact the Access Consultant listed on the student’s accommodation letter. Otherwise, they can always contact us directly.
Sample Syllabus Statement for Instructors to Use
Instructors are strongly encouraged to include this written statement in their syllabus and verbally reference it when presenting the course standards to their classes. In addition, instructors should add information regarding how they prefer students to contact them regarding accommodation requests (e.g., email, office appointment, etc.). Please note that communication via email may be more effective for some students whose disability impacts communication abilities (e.g. autism, anxiety).
More information about course syllabi can be found on the Office of the Provost’s Teaching and Learning website on the Course Syllabi page.
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Sample Syllabus Statement
The following syllabus statement can be found on the Teaching and Learning website on the Course Syllabi page.
The University of Wisconsin–Madison supports the right of all enrolled students to a full and equal educational opportunity. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Wisconsin State Statute (36.12) and UW–Madison policy (UW-855) require the university to provide reasonable accommodations to students with disabilities to access and participate in its academic programs and educational services. Faculty and students share responsibility in the accommodation process. Students are expected to inform faculty of their need for instructional accommodations during the beginning of the semester, or as soon as possible after being approved for accommodations. Faculty will work either directly with the student or in coordination with the McBurney Disability Resource Center to provide reasonable instructional and course-related accommodations. Disability information, including instructional accommodations as part of a student’s educational record, is confidential and protected under FERPA.
Information about Peer Notetaking Accommodations
The Peer Notetaking Accommodation is now coordinated through McBurney Connect, including recruitment of notetakers and posting notes for eligible students. Occasionally, the McBurney Center staff will contact instructors to assist in recruiting a notetaker. If a student is interested in becoming a notetaker, please have them complete the very short notetaker application through McBurney Connect.
Note that many students are now using technology based notetaking accommodations instead of peer notetakers.
