ANSWERS TO YOUR COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS
-
WHAT IS THE ROLE OF THE
DISABILITY SERVICES OFFICE ON CAMPUS?
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WHAT IS A “REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION?”
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WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR SERVICES?
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DO INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES HAVE
TO PAY FOR SERVICES AND ACCOMMODATIONS?
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DO STUDENTS NEED AN APPOINTMENT TO RECEIVE SERVICES FROM THE
DISABILITY SERVICES OFFICE?
-
WILL THE INFORMATION PROVIDED BY THE STUDENT TO THE
DISABILITY SERVICES OFFICE REMAIN
CONFIDENTIAL?
WHAT IS THE ROLE OF THE
DISABILITY SERVICES OFFICE ON CAMPUS?
The Disability Services Office coordinates all accommodations
for students on campus. The coordinator of Disability
Services
works with students on an individual basis to review
documentation to establish whether a student is disabled,
identify
needed, reasonable accommodations, and assist in following
the procedures outlined in this Handbook.
The Disability Services Office is also a resource for faculty
and staff. The DSO offers a proctoring service for testing
accommodations. This service is available for faculty who
are not able to provide accommodations. In addition, the
coordinator of Disability Services is available for
consultation on a case-by-case basis. Finally, the
Disability Services Office
works directly with Physical Plant to provide accommodations
that may require physical adaptations to the campus
environment. Faculty and staff who are impacted by
accommodations will be notified as needed.
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WHAT IS A “REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION?”
Reasonable accommodations allow students with disabilities
to maximize their potential by overcoming disability-related
barriers and functional limitations, without requiring a
substantial change in curriculum or alteration of a
significant element of
the University's academic program. Reasonable accommodations
may include direct services, academic adjustments, or
physical accessibility. An accommodation is not considered
reasonable and does not have to be made if the person with a
disability poses a direct threat to the health or safety of
others, or if the requested accommodation would impose an
undue
burden on the University.
The determination of whether a request constitutes a
“reasonable accommodation” may be impacted by the specific
nature of
the course for which the student requires accommodation.
Any concerns regarding the reasonableness of an
accommodation should be addressed through discussions
between the Disability Services Office, the faculty member
who is
teaching the course in question, and the student who is
requesting an accommodation.
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WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR SERVICES?
Full-time and part-time undergraduate and graduate students
with documented disabilities are eligible for services
provided by
the Disability Services Office and reasonable accommodations
from the University.
Types of Disabilities:
Physical Disabilities: This category includes, but is not
limited to, students with hearing impairments, visual
impairments,
mobility limitations, and individuals with chronic illnesses
such as Fibromyalgia, Multiple Sclerosis, Muscular
Dystrophy,
HIV/AIDS, and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, whose impairments
create a substantial limitation on a major life activity.
Learning Disabilities and Attention Deficit Disorder: This
category includes, but is not limited to, students with
impairments
that impact auditory processing, visual processing,
short-term and long-term memory, attention, comprehension,
and/or fine
and gross motor integration, whose impairments create a
substantial limitation on a major life activity.
Psychological Disabilities: Individuals with chronic mental
disorders or long-term anxiety disorders may be eligible for
services
from the Disability Services Office, if their impairments
create a substantial limitation on a major life activity.
Temporary Disabilities: Although these students are not
afforded the same rights as those with permanent
disabilities, the
University is committed to working with these students to
help them succeed without fundamentally altering the
requirements
of a course or program. Students who may fall into this
category are students with recent head trauma, an extended
non-chronic illness, or students undergoing treatment, e.g.,
Chemotherapy.
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DO INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES HAVE
TO PAY FOR SERVICES AND ACCOMMODATIONS?
While the University provides reasonable accommodations to
students at no cost, students are required to work with the
Disability Services Office to obtain funding from outside
agencies, when necessary.
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DO STUDENTS NEED AN APPOINTMENT TO RECEIVE SERVICES FROM THE
DISABILITY SERVICES OFFICE?
Yes. The first step to opening a file in the Disability
Services Office is to schedule an appointment with the
coordinator of
Disability Services.
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WILL THE INFORMATION PROVIDED BY THE STUDENT TO THE
DISABILITY SERVICES OFFICE REMAIN
CONFIDENTIAL?
Yes. All information is maintained as confidential to the
extent required by the Family Educational Rights and
Privacy Act
(FERPA). When a student requests an accommodation, the
administrators and faculty involved will be notified of the
nature of
the student's disability (if necessary) and possible
accommodations with the student's permission.
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