Confidentiality            

The information a student shares with faculty about his or her disability is confidential information and must be treated as such.  Avoid discussing disability issues in front of the class or in the presence of other students.  Information about a student’s disability should not be shared with other faculty members or staff, unless they have a specific need to know. [1]

In some cases, the student’s disability is obvious.  Other students have hidden disabilities, which they may or may not choose to reveal.  While some students have become comfortable with their differences and are able to discuss their needs easily, others are still in the process of adjusting.  Your sensitivity to their dilemma is appreciated.  They must, however, self-disclose that they have a disability before being accommodated.

Whether or not students with a disability prefer to discuss the nature of their particular disability, their challenges, or personal history with their instructors is entirely up to them.  They are NOT required to tell you specifics about their disability when they self-disclose a need for accommodations, having already done this with the Disability Services Coordinator.