For the purpose of higher education, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) defines a disability as a significant impairment of one or more major life activities. Major life activities include but are not limited to: performing manual tasks, walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing, digesting, sleeping, and learning. ADA requires reasonable accommodations to address major life activities as a way to overcome barriers that limit opportunities for otherwise qualified individuals with disabilities. Examples of reasonable accommodations include: extended test time, low distraction testing, preferential seating, use of assistive technology, and housing modifications. Recommended interventions include: tutoring referrals, referrals for service, and case management services.
To determine the eligibility of educational accommodations, appropriate documentation is required. Documentation presented must be written and signed by a qualified educational, medical, and/or mental health provider (including their professional credentials and contact information), and include the following:
Educational and/or treatment records (i.e. 504 Plan, IEP, medical records, etc.) may also be provided, but does not serve as a substitute for a written letter or evaluation completed by a qualified provider.
If eligibility criteria are met, accommodations are activated. Notification is sent via email to the student and the faculty of the student’s current course load. It is advised that the student meet with each instructor to discuss the implementation of their accommodations for the semester. The student is encouraged to contact the Office of Accessibility Resources with any questions and/or concerns regarding their accommodations. Please Note: Accommodations must be activated each semester with the Office of Accessibility Resources.