Reasonable accommodations are determined through the interactive process, which includes students’ disability disclosure, submission of relevant documentation and an access interview with a DSS staff member. This is a collaborative process between the student, DSS, and the faculty.
Eligibility
- Eligibility for accommodations is based on a student's documented disability.
- Under the ADA, an individual with a disability is a person who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits a major life activity (such as seeing, hearing, learning, reading, concentrating, or thinking) or a major bodily function (such as the neurological, endocrine, or digestive system).
- In accordance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973and the Americans with Disability Act (ADA), students seeking reasonable accommodations for a disability are responsible for self-identifying and self-advocating.
What are accommodations?
- According to the American Psychological Association, “Accommodations are modifications or adjustments to the tasks, environment, or to the way things are usually done that enable individuals with disabilities to have an equal opportunity to participate in an academic program or a job.”
- The term accommodation under ADA titles II and III, which dictate educational settings, is referred to by the term “modification. “
- Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 uses the terms “ academic adjustments and “auxiliary aids.”
When are accommodations not reasonable?
Under the ADA, an accommodation is considered unreasonable if it is:
- A fundamental alteration or lowering of academic standard.
- An undue burden (financially) and/or workload.
- A personal service such as personal aide.
- A direct threat to the health and safety of others.