Faculty Resources

Professor working with SDAP scholar in the classroom

As an instructor, you support, encourage, teach, model, challenge, and guide your students every semester. Having a student with intellectual disabilities in your class is no different. Scholars enter college usually with a specific career path in mind and pursue academic courses that align with those career interests.

Scholars work with SDAP staff, graduate students, and their professors to modify assignments and activities to create equal opportunity to learn the material from their courses. When scholars seek to modify an assignment, they, and their academic support, typically meet with the professor to discuss any modifications.

SDAP Academic Supports

Academic supports are provided to assist scholars in the classroom by encouraging participation, helping with class calendars, taking notes, etc. when such support is necessary. These natural supports are peers who work with scholars as needed in class and during academic support sessions.

What SDAP Provides for Instructors

SDAP will work with you in the following ways

  • Maintain a working relationship through regular communication, and field other requests and suggestions from you, the scholars, and academic supports.
  • Modify assignments with your permission and/or make suggestions to best benefit SDAP scholar’s success in the course.
  • Be available to you for questions or concerns. You may speak with the scholar's academic support or you may contact our Assistant Director, Beth Sibley, at 828-262-8390 or sibleyem@appstate.edu.

Guidelines for Instructors

  • Teach your course as you normally would. You are not required to make any changes to your syllabus or teaching style.
  • Provide the academic support who attends class with the scholar access to AsUlearn (we recommend they have the role of Observer), so they can support the scholar. Your participation in the modification of assignments is voluntary but helpful.
  • Allow the scholar to determine whether or not they want to be identified as part of SDAP.
  • Scholars will personally advise you regarding any further in-class accommodations they will need (e.g. 5 minute breaks, standing at desk rather than sitting).
  • Providing the scholar feedback is valuable and important to the scholar’s success.

Additional Resources

  • App State Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning for Student Success - Formerly the Center for Academic Excellence (CAE), the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning for Student Success is the university's comprehensive center dedicated to growing excellence in teaching and learning, leadership, and supporting faculty professional development and student success. The Center provides workshops, courses, learning communities, and resources covering a variety of topics to support faculty at all career stages. 
  • App State Office of Disability Resources Guides for Accommodating Students - ODR offers several resources to assist Appalachian State faculty and instructors in working with students with diverse needs.
  • RCOE Accessibility and Universal Design for Learning Resources - Curated list of resources for faculty in the Reich College of Education.
  • ThinkUDL - Podcast hosted by App State's Lillian Nave, UDL Coordinator in the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning for Student Success, explores the design and implementation of Univeral Design for Learning strategies in post-secondary settings with learner variability in mind.
  • Think College Resource Library: Topic: Academics - Think College is an initiative of the Institute for Community Inclusion at the University of Massachusetts Boston. The Think College Resource Library offers several guides, white papers, videos and tips for faculty and staff members working with students with intellectual disabilities. Resources also include strategies for implementing course accessibility and applying Universal Design for Learning (UDL). 
  • Association of College and University Educators (ACUE) Inclusive Teaching Practices Toolkit - ACUE Toolkit provides resources and strategies for instrutors seeking to enhance their courses through inclusive practices.