Syllabus Statements

Accessibility statements, or embedding accessibility in your inclusive statement, on your syllabus can help to:

• Signal to all students in a course (not just those with disabilities) that you welcome discussion about individual differences in learning, encountered barriers, and ways to maximize access.
• Send a message that you value an inclusive learning environment.
• Open the door to communication and help students feel more comfortable approaching you.
• Normalize the accommodations process as just another part of the course.
• Inform students about college procedures and available resources.
• An inclusive “accessibility” statement:
• Recognizes disability as an aspect of accessible and inclusive learning environments.
• Places emphasis on inclusive course design.
• Empowers the student and faculty member to work together to find solutions, involving the Accessible Education office when needed or desired.

Sample Statement

Virginia Tech is committed to creating an inclusive learning environment where all students have equitable access to educational opportunities. If you anticipate or experience barriers in this course due to a disability—including, but not limited to, chronic health conditions, mental health conditions, learning disabilities, mobility disabilities, sensory disabilities, ADHD, or other disabilities—I encourage you to connect with Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD).

SSD works collaboratively with students to determine reasonable accommodations that provide equal access while maintaining the essential learning outcomes and academic standards of the course.

If you have not yet connected with SSD, you may contact their office at 540-231-3788, ssd@vt.edu, or visit ssd.vt.edu for more information about the accommodation process.

If you have received an SSD accommodation letter, please meet with me privately as early in the semester as possible so we can discuss how your accommodations will be implemented in this course. Accommodations are not retroactive, and reasonable advance notice is needed to coordinate them. In most cases, this means providing at least three (3) business days' notice for routine accommodations and ten (10) business days' notice for final exams.

I value creating a classroom environment where all students can fully participate and succeed, and I welcome conversations about how to support your access to this course.