An Inclusive and Accessible Syllabus

• The syllabus should include a statement regarding support for students with disabilities, see examples below.
• The syllabus should be provided in a simple document format such as directly in Canvas using the Rich Content Editor (RCE) or Word for increased accessibility. PDF's are more difficult to make accessible and should not be used as a format for a syllabus.
• The syllabus and textbook information should be posted online for students to see at least 6 weeks prior to the start of the semester. 
• Textbooks and course packets often need to be converted into alternate formats for students with disabilities. Unfortunately, the conversion process can take weeks or months to complete. Placing orders as early as possible helps provide enough time to have alternate formats ready by the start of the course.
• Textbook ISBN (International Standard Book Number) should be included in the syllabus.
• Textbooks should be made available at the University Libraries course reserves and this information should be posted on the syllabus.

One aspect of creating an inclusive and welcoming classroom is including a statement in your syllabus that addresses students with disabilities. Below are two examples. Please be sure to include one of these statements, or something similar, in all your course syllabus.

SAMPLE SYLLABUS STATEMENT 1

Rutgers University welcomes students with disabilities into all of the University's educational programs. In order to receive consideration for reasonable accommodations, a student with a disability must contact the appropriate disability services office at the campus where you are officially enrolled, participate in an intake interview, and provide appropriate documentation: https://radr.rutgers.edu/student/documentation-guidelines-and-principles. If the documentation supports your request for reasonable accommodations, your campus’s Office of Disability Services will provide you and your instructor with a Letter of Accommodations. Students should then have a discussion with their instructor and/or ODS when appropriate regarding implementation of the accommodations.  If you believe you have a disability and need academic accommodations, please complete the registration form (https://webapps.rutgers.edu/student-ods/forms/registration).

SAMPLE SYLLABUS STATEMENT 2

Rutgers University is committed to the creation of an inclusive and safe learning environment for all students, and welcomes students with disabilities into all the University's educational programs. The Office of Disability Services (ODS) is responsible for the determination of appropriate accommodations for students who encounter barriers due to disability. Once a student has completed the ODS process (registration, initial appointment, and submitted documentation) and reasonable accommodations are determined to be necessary and appropriate, a Letter of Accommodation (LOA) can be requested and will be sent to the student and instructor. This should be done as early in the semester as possible as accommodations are not retroactive.  Students should then have a discussion with their instructor and/or ODS when appropriate regarding implementation of the accommodations. More information can be found at https://radr.rutgers.edu/student/aboutODS. If you believe you have a disability and need academic accommodations, please complete the registration form (https://webapps.rutgers.edu/student-ods/forms/registration).