Disability Services FAQs

1. Who is considered disabled?
2. What kind of documentation is needed to verify a disability?
3. What is considered a reasonable accommodation?
4. How do students register with Disability Services and receive accommodations?
5. What procedures must be followed in order for an undergraduate or graduate student to receive exam modifications?
6. What procedures must be followed in order for a law student to receive exam modifications?

Who is considered disabled?

Persons who meet the definition of disabled according to Section 504 of the 1973 Rehabilitation Act and the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act are considered persons with disabilities. That is, a person is considered to have a disability if the individual has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more of the major life activities, has a record of such impairment, or is regarded as having such an impairment. Note: The law includes learning as a major life activity.

What kind of documentation is needed to verify a disability?

The disability documentation must be provided by a qualified professional. The documentation must be current, must provide a clear diagnosis of the disability, and must include sufficient information to determine the extent of the disability and what accommodations are appropriate.

If the documentation provided by the student is incomplete or inadequate, the university reserves the right to require further documentation of the disability. The cost of obtaining documentation is borne by the student. Documentation should include the following:

1. A brief education and/or medical history
2. Formal medical, psychological, neurological, and/or educational assessment data from tests administered and interpreted by a qualified professional.
3. A formal diagnosis of a disabling condition.
4. A description of how the disability affects educational performance or other major life functioning.
5. Recommendations for educational accommodations.

What is considered a reasonable accommodation?

A reasonable accommodation is a modification to a non-essential aspect of a course, program, service or facility which does not pose and undue burden and which enables a qualified student with a disability to have adequate opportunity to participate and to demonstrate his or her ability. Such accommodations are determined on an individual basis depending upon the nature and extent of the disability. However, it is the responsibility of each student with a disability to inform Disability Services of his or her concerns in order to receive the assistance he or she requires.

How do students register with Disability Services and receive accommodations?

Newly admitted students may self-identify with Disability Services by the Special Needs Assessment form provided by Admissions in the acceptance packet. Students may also register directly with Disability Services by contacting the Director or Special Needs Counselor and providing the appropriate information.

Registration with Disability Services is voluntary, but if a student wishes to receive accommodations they must meet with the Director or Special Needs Counselor and provide appropriate documentation. Accommodations are determined on an individual basis in consultation with the student.

What procedures must be followed in order for an undergraduate or graduate student to receive exam modifications?

It is the responsibility of the student to contact Disability Services in a timely fashion if testing or other accommodations are needed.

The Director or Special Needs Counselor must certify the documented disability and resultant accommodations via an accommodation form. The student is responsible for obtaining an accommodation request which is signed by the Director or Special Needs Counselor and the student. Once an accomodation has been certified and to ensure alternative administration of a test, the student must notify Disability Services and their instructor in a timely fashion so that the necessary procedures can be carried out.

Graduate students in the colleges of Business, Humanities and Natural Sciences, Music and Fine Arts, and Social Sciences follow the same procedures as undergraduates in these colleges.

What procedures must be followed in order for a law student to receive exam modifications?

It is the responsibility of the student to contact Disability Services in a timely fashion if testing or other accommodations are needed.

Law students are responsible for providing documentation and obtaining accommodation approval at least six weeks before the final exam period begins. Because law exams are graded anonymously, law students deal directly with Disability Services and do not self-identify to professors regarding exam accommodations.