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Workplace Experience

How to support Access Center efforts and students requiring accommodations

Learn more about the student-referral process and how to include helpful information in course announcements.

white keyboard with three blue buttons with icons of wheelchair logo, an ear with sound waves coming out to replicate hearing aid, and a person walking with a mobility cane.

Faculty and staff members are critical partners in connecting students to the myriad supportive services available across Metropolitan State University of Denver, such as the Access Center, which offers a variety of support services for students with disabilities, including facilitating accommodation requests and offering referrals.

Accommodation Notification Letters

Students registered with the Access Center are responsible for requesting Accommodation Notification Letters each semester. Accessibility coordinators began sending accommodation letters to students and professors Aug. 12. To help students feel welcome, faculty members are encouraged to send a quick reply to the student acknowledging receipt of the accommodation letter and inviting students to meet if they would like to discuss their accommodations.  

“The Access Center has been meeting with first-year and transfer students all summer to get accommodations approved for the fall 2024 semester,” said Melissa Cermak, associate director of the Access Center. “While faculty members will see many emails from the Access Center regarding students’ accommodations, please remember that students can and do register with our office throughout the year.”

Referrals to the Access Center 

“While the Access Center partners with the offices of Admissions and Orientation, Transfer and Reengagement to get the word out about services, there are always students who are unfamiliar with these services,” Cermak said.  

When a student discloses that they have a disability or need accommodations related to a disability (and are not currently registered with the Access Center), it is the responsibility of the faculty or staff member to make a referral to the Access Center. The employee should direct the student to contact the Access Center at 303-615-0200 or [email protected] to schedule an initial appointment. 

“In addition, faculty members can create a welcoming learning environment by making sure to include information about accommodations and Access Center services in their syllabus,” Cermak said. “Or consider going the extra step of making a verbal mention about accommodations and supports during class or making a class announcement in Canvas during the first weeks of the semester.”  

Check out the Access Center’s Faculty & Staff tab. 

Contact the Access Center at 303-615-0200 or [email protected] for more information.