Skip to content Skip to main navigation Report an accessibility issue

Updates Regarding Transition to Online Courses

Student Disability Services is committed to assisting students and faculty in ensuring the continued provision of disability-related accommodations as courses are transitioning to an online format. Both students and faculty are encouraged to contact SDS for guidance on the application of approved accommodations in their courses. Please note that this information will be updated frequently as we learn more about the nature of courses available to students.

For the most common accommodations and how to implement them in an online environment, visit Accommodation Implementation.


SDS and Virtual Instruction FAQs

Student FAQ:


Yes, SDS is still operating Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. All appointments and services will be conducted via Zoom or phone until further notice. Documentation should be emailed, faxed, or mailed; SDS will be unable to proctor exams while virtual instruction is in place at UTK. The Assistive Technology Lab, Study Areas and Testing Center within the office are closed.

If you have questions or concerns, please contact the office by phone 865-974-6087 or email at sds@utk.edu. Individuals who are Deaf or Hard of hearing may also contact SDS by videophone at 865-622-6566. Additionally, you are welcome to email your assigned Accommodations Coordinator.



SDS will not proctor exams in the Testing Center for online courses unless the there is an accommodation for assistive technology. Please communicate with your instructors to discuss your exam accommodations in their courses, including extended time and pause time. SDS is available to students and instructors to consult about unique circumstances.

    • Some instructors may opt for alternative assessments (e.g. essays, untimed exams or assignments, etc.) which would not require testing accommodations.
    • If your instructor is creating online timed exams, please notify your instructor if you will need extended time or pause time. Additional time for timed quizzes, tests, and final exams are added in Canvas by the instructor.



You do not need to schedule quizzes, tests, or final exams in the Student Portal to receive testing accommodations. However, the following guidelines outline when to use the Student Portal to schedule an exam at the SDS Testing Center. Arrangements can be made with your instructor, including the instructor providing exam accommodations. Discuss options and specific accommodations with your instructor in advance. For all online timed exams, extended time and pause time should be added by the professor in Canvas.

Schedule in the Student Portal?
Course / Exam Delivery Yes No
Online / online If you have accommodations for assistive technology not available outside the Testing Center. Contact the SDS Testing Center staff to discuss the need to schedule your exams at the Testing Center or virtually. Your instructor should provide testing accommodations for extended and pause time in Canvas. All students taking online exams will identify their own testing space. Please note that alternative location and reduced distraction accommodations apply only when all students are testing together in class in university-provided space.
In-person / online If the instructor is proctoring the online exam in-person in the classroom for all students, or if you have an accommodation for assistive technology. If your instructor is allowing students to take an online exam from anywhere.
In-person / in-person If you wish to take the exam in the Testing Center. If you do not wish to take the exam in the Testing Center.


Typically, Note Takers are only assigned if there are live video lectures that are not recorded for later review. Otherwise, students have full access to the material at all times and can take notes at their own pace, eliminating the need for additional note taking assistance. Additionally, asynchronous courses with no recordings may not warrant a note taker.


The LAAP accommodation will be administered in much the same way for live synchronous class meetings as for in-person.  Please contact SDS if any questions arise about utilizing this accommodation for asynchronous course components.


No, the process is the same; however, requests, receipts, and inaccessible reading assignments and handouts to be converted will be submitted through the Student Portal under Alternative Formats. Receipts must be submitted to receive requested printed material in alternative format. SDS requires at least two weeks’ notice; however, we will do our best to return materials in a timely fashion.


Yes. However, all transit services are operating at a reduced capacity effective March 23rd to align with anticipated rider demand during online learning sessions.  Information about the T Bus, T-Access, and T-Link hours of operations and routes can be found on the Parking and Transit Services website.


SDS is committed to assisting students and faculty in ensuring the continued provision of disability-related accommodations as courses transition to an online format. SDS has created a list of the most common accommodations provided this semester and potential ways to implement them in an online environment. It is important to note that these are suggestions, and an individualized review of the implementation of a student’s accommodations may be required. If you have questions or concerns, please contact your coordinator for guidance on the application of approved accommodations in your courses.


Pin screen allows you to disable active speaker view, which shows the video of the person speaking at that moment. It allows you to only view a specific speaker in a window larger than the other windows.

To pin a video:

      1. Hover over the video until (Mute with 3 dots appear).
      2. Right click on the three dots.
      3. Choose “pin video” from the drop-down menu.
      4. Once you pin a video, you will have to click the bottom of the screen and drag it to make the window larger.

Pinning another user’s video will only affect your local view in the Zoom Room, not the view of other participants and will not affect recordings.


If you are not currently registered with SDS, please follow the steps outlined on the SDS Registration page.

If you are currently registered with SDS, please contact the office (Phone: 865-974-6087; VP: 865-622-6565; Email: sds@utk.edu) or email your Accommodations Coordinator.


Are you looking for a quiet space to study? UTK Libraries offer a variety of designated research, study, workstation, dining, and other areas to support your academic productivity. Explore this valuable resource and Find Your Place to Go Vols!


Faculty FAQ:


We acknowledge the significant effort required to quickly adapt your courses to online instruction. We want to collaborate with you to ensure that access for students with disabilities is maintained through this transition. Some students may encounter disability-related barriers with online instruction or assessment (e.g. students who use assistive technology, students with medical limitations on screen usage). SDS staff are available for consultation regarding best practices and accessibility. (Phone: 865-974-8067; Videophone for individuals who are Deaf or Hard of hearing: 865-622-6566; Email: sds@utk.edu)

Tips to keep in mind as you are creating virtual course content are available on the Explore Access website and DO-IT websites. Additional information about designing accessible courses on canvas, how-to guides, and accessibility checklists, visit OIT’s Accessibility of Learning Materials page.



Faculty may access all spring 2020 accommodation letters via the Faculty Portal.



SDS will not proctor exams in the Testing Center for online courses. Extended time on quizzes, tests, and final exams as an accommodation generally only applies to traditional, time-limited exams. If you decide to offer alternative means of assessment (e.g. essays, non-timed exams, project work), then a student’s extended time may no longer be applicable. We encourage you to speak with registered students if that is the case.
Students will be responsible for securing an alternative location or reduced distraction environment for their exams. However, students with assistive technology accommodations, or accommodations that cannot be provided in an online format, have been asked to contact SDS as soon as possible. Instructors should contact SDS as well to discuss the course and testing accommodations.
Please communicate with your students to discuss their exam accommodations in your courses. SDS is available to instructors and students to consult.


Instructors are responsible for adding additional time to timed quizzes, tests, and final exams in Canvas. Instructions for adding additional time can be found on the Canvas Guides page. You may also contact OIT for additional assistance.
Prior to making time allotment adjustments, please confirm how much extended time each of your students should get for their exams. You can confirm an individual student’s extended time multiplier by logging into the Faculty Portal, checking their Faculty Accommodations Letter email, or contacting SDS.


Since it is not possible to pause the clock on timed, online exams, additional time for breaks must be included in order to accommodate the potential need to address symptoms while testing. As such, instructors will be adding an additional 25% more testing time for students who have the pause time accommodation. The 25% is calculated on the base testing time and will be added even if the student also has extended testing time. For example, a student with pause time and 50% more testing time, should receive 75% more testing time. With that in mind, assuming a 50-minute exam, such a student would have received an additional 25 minutes in class, but now they should receive an additional 37.5 (or 38) minutes.


The LAAP accommodation will be administered in much the same way for live synchronous class meetings as for in-person.  Please contact SDS if any questions arise about utilizing this accommodation for asynchronous course components.


Students will submit requests for printed materials in alternative format through the Student Portal under Alternative Formats. Instructors may submit inaccessible materials that need to be converted for the student through the Faculty Portal under Alternative Formats. SDS requires at least two weeks’ notice; however, we will do our best to return materials in a timely fashion. .


Recorded videos posted to the class must be captioned in advance. Contact SDS at altmedia@utk.edu for assistance with your course components. Once received, the materials will be placed on the production queue. We recognize that the turnaround time will be very short and are working with captioning vendors to expedite the process.


Depending on how you choose to conduct class, online courses may present challenges for students who are Deaf or hard of hearing. Please consider the format of your online course and follow the instructions below.

 

Asynchronous classes with recorded lectures

If you choose to record and post media in lieu of virtual meetings, all videos made available to students should be captioned before being released on Canvas.

SDS will add captions to media that is not accessible. Please contact at altmedia@utk.edu for assistance with your course components. Once received, the materials will be placed on the production queue. We recognize that the turnaround time will be very short and are working with captioning vendors to expedite the process. We anticipate the demand for captioning to increase, so we ask a request that you notify us as early as possible. Files can be shared via OneDrive or the Vault.

Please note that auto-generated captions alone, using automatic speech recognition systems are often incorrect and should be avoided. However, Canvas Studio allows for auto captioning with the possibility to edit said captions. Instructions on how to utilize this feature is available on the Canvas Community Page.

 

Synchronous classes with recorded lecture

If a class is recorded live and then posted for students to view later, the video will need to be accessible during the recording and post-production.

      • The interpreter’s video feed will need to be included in the recording, so the student may access it after the course meeting.
      • Methods used in the past include spotlighting the video (see spotlight video) feed of the interpreter to ensure their window remain as part of the main screen. This will ensure that the student has access to the lecture.
      • SDS will need access to the zoom link so the interpreters can join the lecture when it begins.

For additional guidance, please contact Heather Webb at SDS.

 

Synchronous classes without recorded lectures

If a class is live and not recorded:

      • SDS will need access to the zoom link so the interpreters can join the lecture and interpret as if they were in the classroom.
      • Students can manipulate the video of the interpreter to enlarge it as necessary. (See how to pin a video).

For additional guidance, please contact Heather Webb at SDS.


Spotlight video puts a user as the primary active speaker for all participants in the meeting and recordings. The host is the only person that can spotlight a video.

 

To Spotlight a video:

      1. Hover over the video until (Mute with 3 dots pops up).
      2. Right click on the three dots.
      3. Choose “Spotlight Video” from the drop-down menu.
      4. Please note that spotlighting a video changes the view for ALL

Please note that spotlighting does not prevent faculty for sharing items on the screen. The interpreter’s video feed will remain on the main screen although in a smaller window.


Pin screen allows you to disable active speaker view, which shows the video of the person speaking at that moment. It allows you to only view a specific speaker in a window larger than the other windows.

To pin a video:

      1. Hover over the video until (Mute with 3 dots pops up).
      2. Right click on the three dots.
      3. Choose “pin video” from the drop-down menu.
      4. Once you pin a video, you will have to click the bottom of the screen and drag it to make the window larger.

Pinning another user’s video will only affect your local view in the Zoom Room, not the view of other participants and will not affect recordings.


Typically, Note Takers are only assigned if there are live video lectures that are not recorded for later review. Otherwise, students have full access to the material at all times and can take notes at their own pace, eliminating the need for additional note taking assistance. Additionally, asynchronous courses with no recordings may not warrant a note taker.


Yes, please refer any student who may need assistance based on the impact of a disability to SDS. The process to register with SDS remains unchanged. However, meetings will be held virtually.