Disability Services

A qualified professional must provide documentation and interpretation which clearly identifies and explains the applicant's disability.

Applicants with learning disabilities should submit the results of recent (no more than two years old) tests of:

• Aptitude/Cognitive Ability: The preferred instrument is the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS III). The results of Woodcock Johnson III Tests of Cognitive Abilities, Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC-III), or Stanford Binet Intelligence Scale IV are also acceptable.
• Achievement: Assessment in the following areas is required
  • Reading (decoding, rate, and comprehension)
  • Mathematics (calculations, reasoning, and algebra)
  • Written Language (spelling and written expression)
• Other: Pertinent diagnoses or recommendations from other evaluations as needed.

Students with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder need to provide the following documentation:

• A specific diagnosis that conforms to the most recent publication of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) of the American Psychiatric Association for Attention Deficit Disorder, with or without hyperactivity.
• Current functional limitations on major life activities, resulting from the Attention Disorder.
• Evidence to support the functional limitations derived from Aptitude/Cognitive Ability and Achievement testing as described in the previous paragraph related to applicants with learning disabilities.
• Requested accommodations; additional information (optional): Tests of information processing, clinical observations/interview, teacher observations.
• Other pertinent diagnoses or recommendations from other evaluations that may be needed.

Students with a sensory, physical, or psychological disability must meet the following documentation requirements:

• Documentation must be completed by a professional qualified to diagnose the nature and extent of the disability.
• Documentation from a professional must be no more than one year old.
• Documentation must contain a specific diagnosis, state major life activities limited by the disability and resulting functional limitations, and list prescribed medications.
• Documentation must include recommendations regarding accommodations; and
• Other pertinent evaluations as needed.

At the beginning of each semester, a student who is registered with the Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD) should contact the OSD for an updated Accommodation Plan (AP) Examples of accommodations include: extended time on tests, use of a note sharer, and recording of lectures.

Once the AP is completed and approved by the student and the OSD, faculty can be informed of the accommodations they can expect to be utilized by the students. Students should provide a copy of the AP to their professors.

By contacting the OSD each semester and informing the professors in a timely manner, students who need accommodations will be supported for academic success. Any student who has concerns about the provision of reasonable accommodations should first contact the Office for Students with Disabilities.

A student should first attempt to resolve his or her complaint informally by meeting with the Assistant Director of the Student Success Center/Office for Students with Disabilities when the accommodation-related concerns arise. If the grievance is not resolved informally then the student has the right to invoke the appropriate formal grievance procedure detailed below.

If you wish to file a formal grievance, you may do so by submitting a written and signed grievance to the Director of the Student Success Center within 10 working days of the Assistant Director’s decision regarding the Informal Grievance Procedure. The Director of the Student Success Center will assess the formal complaint and review all necessary information. Relevant information may be requested from involved parties. The Director of the Student Success Center will issue a written finding to the student upon completion of the review within 10 working days of the receipt of the formal grievance and supporting documentation. If you disagree with the determination, you may submit a written and signed appeal within 10 working days of the receipt of the Director’s written decision to the Vice President of Academic Affairs. The Vice President of Academic Affairs will make a determination on the appeal within 20 working days and inform the student in writing of the outcome.