Resources for Providers of Disability Services, Higher Education Staff, & Administrators

Reopening Resources

A statement by scholars in the Accessible Campus Action Alliance about equity in re-opening and defining "at-risk" students, faculty, and staff.
CDC guidance for higher education institutions, including information about re-opening consideration. AHEAD members highlight specific safety considerations.
COVID-19 resources and guidance about re-openings, from the American College Health Association.
How re-openings may reinforce systemic racism in higher education.
Sample re-opening policies from the University of Washington.
To better communicate with students and get feedback, Northern Arizona University Disability Resource Office sent a survey to all students with disabilities, asking what they may need for next semester. Also consider doing a virtual listening/sharing circle, or simply send out an e-mail asking students to let you know what they need and if they have feedback about services.

Sample policy language about reopening (not intended as legal advice)
- Sample policy language from Purdue University about adjustments for students in the fall of 2020, if they are attending courses in person or online and consider themselves "at risk".
- Sample policy language from Portland State University about people not being able to wear masks
- Sample policy language from The Ohio State University about any disability services policy changes for students or faculty.
- Sample letter from Elm College to faculty explaining policies and communication with the disability services professionals.
Look at the NCCSD's COVID-19 resources for students and resources for faculty - there is a list of questions students may ask. This can help you create resources or policies that can answer their questions. It is ok to say that policies may change at any time because information about the coronavirus is constantly evolving, and then institutions are evolving, as well. It's also ok to tell students some information is not available yet (and when it is likely to be available).

Information about COVID-19 and employees (including employees with disabilities) from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).
The Wage and Hour Division of the US Department of Labor is providing information on common issues employers and workers face when responding to COVID-19, including the effects on wages and hours .worked under the Fair Labor Standards Act and job-protected leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act.
OSHA has issued guidance on preparing workplaces for COVID-19 – Developed in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to help employers respond in the event of coronavirus in the workplace.
COVID-19 Webpage – Provides infection prevention information specifically for employers and workers
Resources to help faculty teach and work during any kind of "disruption" like COVID or a flu epidemic - from Southern Methodist University (faculty and staff should also check the human resources and information technology pages for their institution, as well as the faculty teaching & learning/professional development center.

Check out the NCCSD's crisis resources, designed specifically for people with disabilities, including the number for a SAMHSA Disaster Distress Hotline and the National Disability COVID-19 Healthcare Support and Advocacy Hotline.
NAMI information about mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic, with some resources in Spanish. SAMHSA has also created tips for supporting your mental and behavioral health right now, including how to deal with social distancing and isolation.
The American Psychological Association has numerous resources about COVID and stress, parenting, compassion fatigue, self-care, and post-COVID psychological effects.
Information and strategies from the JED Foundation.
Remember that students may be experiencing trauma, and marginalized and oppressed students may be further marginalized and oppressed during a pandemic. Be sure to also look at our resources for (and about) people of color and COVID-19

Information about protecting students' rights, from the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) at the US Department of Education.
Guidance and information about college student rights during the pandemic, from Disability Rights Texas
Information about COVID-19 and college accommodations (from Accessible College).

The American Psychological Association has resources about how online assessments work - this may be helpful for adjusting documentation policies, or telling students what they can expect.

An article about post-COVID recoveries and possible temporary or long-term disabilities, from The New York Times.

Facts and guidance about COVID-19 and animals from the CDC - for developing policies about emotional support animals and service animals.
Jane Jarrow of DAIS compiled questions and advice from disability services providers about maintaining access during the pandemic.

A short webinar about online education and web accessibility from the Office for Civil Rights at the US Department of Education.
Information about free resources, assistive technology, and making online courses more accessible, from McGill University.
If you are an AHEAD member, there are webinars designed specifically for disability services providers figuring out accommodations for online courses.
Information from the National Federation of the Blind about rights of college students in accessible online courses.
Information from the National Deaf Center about providing online accommodations to Deaf and hard-of-hearing students and how Deaf students are affected by the pandemic, as well as a tip sheet from the New York Deaf-Blind Collaborative about providing safe low vision and tactile interpreting.
Need to learn about Canvas or Blackboard? We've found some videos on YouTube that are captioned. They don't have audio description, but the narrators do a pretty good job of saying what things look like and where they are on the screen.

Basic facts about the ADA and coronavirus.
NCCSD's general COVID-19 information for people with disabilities may help you answer COVID-19-related disability questions.
General information about COVID-19 for higher education staff and administrators, from EDUCAUSE.

A letter from the US Department of Education about stereotyping, bullying, and harassment of people of Asian descent during the pandemic.
Information for students wanting to study in the UK
See what disability professionals are doing in the UK, as most work with administrators on re-opening issues.