Starting with the Summer 2019 semester, SSD is launching the SSD Instructor Web Portal, an online tool to allow instructors to more efficiently manage and provide students’ accommodations. The Instructor Web Portal was developed in collaboration with SSD’s Student and Faculty Advisory Committees and piloted with a select group of instructors during the spring 2019 semester. Summer 2019 is the first semester all instructors at UT will have the option of using the Instructor Web Portal.
Here’s what some of our pilot instructors had to say about their experience using the Instructor Web Portal during the spring 2019 semester:
“I love this portal. It’s so much easier to keep track of everyone and lessens the amount of paper in my office. Just wanted to say thanks!!”
“The SSD instructor portal made it easy for me to access accommodation letters for my students and then schedule time to speak with them about their learning needs. Importantly, this system removes a substantial barrier for many of our students and makes it much easier for them to facilitate communication with their instructors!”
The SSD Instructor Web Portal contains the following modules:
- Accommodation Letters
- Tests and Exams
Instructors can use these online modules to view their students’ Accommodation Letters and/or confirm test reservations for students who have requested space to test at SSD for their class(es). Instructors will receive email notification when student Accommodation Letters have been processed by SSD and are available to be viewed via the Instructor Portal and when students have submitted a request to take a test at SSD.
Instructors should communicate with students about whether or not they plan to use the Instructor Web Portal to coordinate accommodations. Use of the Instructor Web Portal is not required. Instructors should let students know if they still need to deliver a hard copy of the Accommodation Letter (and any associated handouts) or provide test confirmation via the paper form or if the instructor will be accessing this information via the Instructor Web Portal. Students and instructors still must discuss the Accommodation Letter and approved accommodations before accommodations can be provided.
SSD has created several online resources with more information about the features of the SSD Instructor Web Portal. Instructors are encouraged to review the Web Portal Overview, learn about the benefits of the Portal and read the FAQs that are posted on the SSD website:
Instructors who have additional questions about the Instructor Web Portal after reviewing the links above can contact SSD at 512-471-6259 or ssd@austin.utexas.edu . Instructors who have specific questions about student accommodations should contact the Disabilities Services Coordinator listed in the student’s Accommodation Letter.
We hope the Instructor Web Portal will be a useful tool for instructors in managing their students’ accommodations!