Services and Accommodations

Services and Accommodations

Consultation

The Student Disability Specialists are available during office hours to assist students in accessing reasonable accommodations and in determining which accommodations are appropriate. The nature and extent of a student's physical/medical disability must be documented by a physician or health care professional. The presence of a specific learning disability must be documented by a psychologist or learning disabilities specialist. Students with psychological/emotional disabilities can obtain documentation from either a psychiatrist or a licensed psychologist. Students are required to meet with a Student Disability Specialist each semester to discuss accommodations for the current semester. If a student has not identified to the office by providing documentation of his/her disability and consented to the limited sharing of information regarding the disability, she/he will not be eligible to receive accommodations. Students, parents, faculty and staff members are encouraged to call at any time to discuss issues related to students with disabilities.

Advocacy

In compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the Student Disability Specialists will act as advocates to insure that all students with disabilities have access to the programs and activities for which they are otherwise qualified to participate.

Referral for Testing

A significant discrepancy between a student's knowledge of the course material and his/her ability to demonstrate that knowledge may indicate the presence of a specific learning disability. Although no psychoeducational testing is administered on campus, faculty members may refer students to the Office of Student Disability Services if they have concerns about the student's academic performance. The Student Disability Specialist will meet with the student and conduct an initial screening to determine if the student should be referred for psychoeducational testing.

Testing Accommodations

Alternative testing arrangements can be made either directly with individual faculty members or with the Office of Student Disability Services. Faculty members are responsible for accommodating students with disabilities in the administration of pop quizzes, homework, in-class essays, etc. In cases where specialized testing arrangements are required (i.e., use of a word processor), the Office of Student Disability Services will provide the accommodation. Faculty members are responsible for delivering the exams to the Office of Student Disability Services.