Faculty and Staff Accessibility Resources
The StAAR Center works collaboratively with faculty and staff on supporting students through accommodations for students with disabilities, in addition to academic and writing support for all students.
This resources page is designed to give faculty and staff access to stand-alone resources and tools to use at their convenience.
Supporting All Learners
If you see a student struggling with course material, staying on top of their work, or completing writing assignments, please refer that student to the StAAR Center. We offer a variety of support for students including academic success coaching, peer tutoring, writing support, and specific academic and writing skills workshops. We also have resources specific to graduate students.
As partners in student success, the StAAR Center also asks you to inform your students of our supports, even if they don't appear to be struggling. For example, you can include this StAAR Resource Statement in your class syllabus, in addition to informing students about StAAR in your class and/or office hours.
Supporting Students with Disabilities
The StAAR Center recognizes the pivotal role that faculty and staff play in supporting students with disabilities. The StAAR Center approves accommodations for students which are designed to eliminate access barriers that students experience while at Tufts. To discuss concerns around your students and their accommodations, or for clarification of your responsibilities, please contact us.
As partners in student success, the StAAR Center asks you to inform your students of our resources, even if they don't appear to be struggling. Please include this StAAR Disability Support Statement in your class syllabus, in addition to informing students about StAAR in your class and/or office hours.
Please also review these additional resources:
- Online Course Accessibility Checklist
- Six Habits to Increase Access in Online Courses
- Extended Time for Canvas Assessments (Credit to Florida State University)
- Tufts Digital Accessibility Landing Page
Absences & Extensions
If a student in your course has an accommodation for Additional Absences or Extensions on Course Work, please use the following guides to determine how appropriately implement the accommodations in your course. Be sure to communicate the results with the student by email or in person.
If you have any questions about these guides, or are looking for additional support implementing these accommodations in your courses, please contact us.
Make Your Events Accessible
The StAAR Center is committed to ensuring Tufts events are accessible. Please refer to our Accessible Events Checklist to ensure your next event is accessible for all.
Universal Design for Learning Fellows Program
The Universal Design for Learning (UDL) Fellows Program is a year-long program that provides Tufts faculty with dedicated space and time to infuse the principles of UDL into their courses, with the goal of increasing access for all students. For more information, please contact Kirsten Behling, Associate Dean of the StAAR Center.
Canvas Page
In 2024, the StAAR Center launched a Canvas page designed specifically for faculty and staff. Join this page for resources, guides, and best practices around working with students and the StAAR office around accessibility support.
Campus Partners
Campus Partner Newsletter
Join the StAAR Center's Campus Partner Newsletter for semesterly updates about StAAR, as well as regular resources and information about accessibility on campus.
Accessibility Champions
Each year, the StAAR Center's Accessibility Team formally recognizes campus partners who go above and beyond to center access and inclusion work in their support of students navigating access barriers.
2026 Accessibility Advocate Award Winners
Jake Dempsey, Educational Technology
Laura Generous, Tufts Technology Services
Jefferson Simplice, Auxiliary Services / Transportation
2025 Accessibility Advocate Award Winners
Christina Alch, Perry Doherty, & David Watts, Residential Life
Sue Atkins, Career Center
Aliki Karagiannis, Tufts Global Education
Casey Spicer, Registrar
Pam Thomas, Tufts Technology Services
Additional Resources
Digital Accessibility Policies and Training
Tufts is committed to making online content available to all.
For more information on Tufts' Digital Accessibility Policies please click the appropriate links below:
For training and resources for digital accessibility, please visit the Training and Resources for Accessibility page for faculty and staff.
Career Services Disability Support
Learn how to disclose your disability in a workplace environment.
For additional information, please visit the Career Center or contact Jess White, the Senior Associate Director of Accessibility Services.