7.1 General Student Policies
7.1.3 Services for Students with Disabilities
7.1.3.1 Identification
The director of academic support services for students with disabilities
oversees the provision of services to students with disabilities. Services
are provided on a case-by-case basis. Students may identify themselves
in a number of ways. First, the director sends a letter to all incoming
students inviting them to disclose information related to disability.
Second, the Supplemental Data form, the Health Certification form and
the Housing Preference form contain optional questions about disabilities
requiring accommodations. If a student discloses a disability on any of
these forms, the director is notified and contacts the student. Third,
faculty may refer students whom they suspect have a disability to the
director. Faculty members generally make such referrals when there is
a significant discrepancy between the student's apparent knowledge of
the course materials, and his/her ability to demonstrate that knowledge.
All students receiving academic adjustments/ auxiliary aids and services
are required to meet with the director at the beginning of each academic
term.
7.1.3.2 Academic Adjustments/Auxiliary Aids
and Services/Academic Accommodation Policy for Students with Disabilities
To allow auxiliary aids and services to be obtained or appropriate academic
adjustments to be made by the start of the academic term, the student
or prospective student who believes that he/she will need an academic
adjustment/auxiliary aids and services must complete and return the Request
for Academic Adjustment/Auxiliary Aids and Services form with documentation
of their disability to the director as soon as possible and at least 6
weeks before the first day of classes. Such notice will allow the student
and the College a reasonable amount of time to determine whether the requested
academic adjustments/auxiliary aids and services are necessary to permit
the student to engage in class work desired and to identify the resources
necessary for any auxiliary aids and services, etc. Failure to provide
documentation within this time frame will result in the college not being
able to guarantee the delivery of a written Academic Adjustment/Auxiliary
Aids and Services Plan at the beginning of the semester. Typical academic
adjustments/auxiliary aids and services include but are not limited to:
- permission to tape record class lectures;
- note taker services;
- extended time for in-class exams;
- referral for content-area tutoring;
- re-scheduling of class venues to accessible locations.
In cooperation with other College offices the director also helps facilitate
access to non-academic programs, services, and activities for students
with disabilities. Typical non-academic modifications include but are
not limited to:
- modifications to residence hall rooms (e.g., installing visual fire
alarms and door buzzers, shower benches, and ramps);
- allowances for certified service animals;
- snow removal;
- early class registration to ensure availability of accessible classrooms;
- coordination of dining services for students with special dietary
needs;
- re-scheduling of student activity venues to accessible locations.
The director will evaluate documentation and in consultation with the
student, determine what academic adjustments/auxiliary aids and services
are appropriate. The director will issue a written Academic Adjustment/Auxiliary
Aids and Services Plan, signed by the director or assistant director,
for each appropriate area, including the library and other facilities,
describing the academic adjustments/auxiliary aids and services. The College
will provide appropriate academic adjustments/auxiliary aids on a case-by-case
basis and will not necessarily incorporate all requested academic adjustments/auxiliary
aids and services. Faculty and other College personnel will only provide
academic adjustments/auxiliary aids and services in accordance with this
policy. Faculty, other college personnel, and students with questions/concerns
with respect to the accommodations identified by the director are encouraged
to contact the director to determine a comparable accommodation that guarantees
the student equal access to Ithaca College programs and activities. In
the case of the faculty member. If there is no resolution to the issue
after meeting with the director, the faculty member's department chair
and then the dean will be consulted, as appropriate. In the case of other
college personnel, attempts to resolve the issue will be made in consultation
with the person’s immediate supervisor. Ultimately, final decisions
relative to accommodations will be made by the Affirmative Action Office
in consultation with the director, college counsel and provost, as appropriate.
Students are encouraged to discuss adjustment plans with involved faculty
and staff early in the semester. Ithaca College will provide appropriate
resources to college personnel to ensure compliance with this policy.
7.1.3.3 Documentation
It is the responsibility of the student requesting academic adjustments/auxiliary
aids and services to provide documentation including, but not limited
to:
- Documentation not more than three years old prepared by a professional
qualified to diagnose disabilities. Such professionals include, but
are not limited to those appropriately certified or licensed as a physician,
educational diagnostician, learning disability specialist or psychologist.
- Documentation including testing procedures followed, the instruments
used to assess the disability, the test results and the interpretation
of the results.
- Documentation specifying recommended academic adjustments/auxiliary
aids and services.
- Documentation, which must be as comprehensive as possible, reflecting
the individual's present achievement level.
- Documentation including test results for at least the following characteristics;
intelligence, vocabulary, reading rate, reading comprehension, memory
and processing skills.
- Students with certain disabilities may be required to provide additional
testing or appropriate documentation of the disability as determined
by the director.
All information submitted concerning the disability is confidential and
shared only on a need to know basis within the college. |
