Services for People with Disabilities

Transcription

1 WOFFORD COLLEGE Guide t Disability Services Office f Health Services & Cunseling Hugh R. Black Building 864/ / /

2 Table f Cntents Services t Students with Disabilities 3 Supprt Services fr Students 4 Rights and Respnsibilities 5 Disability Services Faculty Students Accmmdatins 7 Abbreviated Prcedure fr Requesting Accmmdatins Changes in Accmmdatin Needs Academic Dishnesty Dcumentatin 8 General Guidelines Guidelines fr Learning Disabilities Guidelines fr Dcumentatin f ADD & ADHD Guidelines fr Psychiatric Disabilities/Psychlgical Disrders Guidelines fr Dcumentatin f Physical Disabilities, Neurlgical Cnditins, r Mbility Impairments Guidelines fr Dcumentatin f Sensry Impairments Guidelines fr Dcumentatin f Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Guidelines fr Dcumentatin f Substance Abuse Disrder Guidelines fr Dcumentatin f Other Nnspecific Disabling Injuries and Cnditins Prcedure fr Obtaining Academic Accmmdatins 15 Testing Accmmdatins 16 Scheduling Testing Accmmdatins Day f Exam Instructins A Final Wrd n Testing Campus Accessibility Needs 17 Parking Academic Buildings & Classrms Residence Halls Service Animals Plicy Cnfidentiality 18 Cnsent fr Reciprcal Release f Infrmatin 19 Grievance Statement 20 11/21/2008 Page 2 f 21

3 Services t Students with Disabilities In accrdance with the prvisins f Sectins 504 f the Rehabilitatin Act f 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Wffrd Cllege seeks t prvide students with reasnable accmmdatins needed t ensure equal access t the prgrams and activities f the Cllege. Wffrd Cllege is cmmitted t prviding qualified students with disabilities equal access and pprtunity t academic curses, prgrams, and activities f the cllege. Our primary bjective is t fster academic excellence, persnal respnsibility, and grwth in students with disabilities. Students in need f accmmdatins shuld self-identify themselves t a staff member in Health Services and prvide apprpriate dcumentatin f their disability r disabilities. Disabilities may include but are nt necessarily limited t, mbility impairments, visual and hearing impairments, chrnic health cnditins, rthpedic impairments, learning disabilities, traumatic brain injury, attentin deficit disrder, learning disabilities, psychiatric disabilities, and substance abuse/recvery. Guidelines n acceptable dcumentatin and services can be fund n line at under Health Services, Cunseling and Disability Services r within this Guide. The Disability Advisry Cmmittee is cmpsed f administrative staff members wh are invlved in facilitating accmmdatins fr students. The Cmmittee is cmprised f representatives frm academic affairs, Aramark (fd service), Residence Life, Student Affairs, Health Services and Cunseling. This cmmittee will review all requests accrding t the nature f the disability. Fr example, if a student is requesting special husing, a representative frm Residence Life will be invlved with crdinating the accmmdatin r assisting with alternative reasnable accmmdatin. All dcumentatin and infrmatin pertaining t a student s disability is cnfidential and will nt be released withut the written permissin f the student. After registering with Disability Services, the Directr r Assistant Directr f Health Services will wrk with the student and The Disability Advisry Cmmittee t identify accmmdatins and services that are apprpriate t the student's needs, academic prgram, and campus life. Students are expected t be actively invlved in the accmmdatin prcess and assume respnsibility fr securing services and accmmdatins. A diagnsis f a disrder in and f itself des nt autmatically qualify an individual fr accmmdatins. In rder t be cnsidered fr accmmdatins, the evaluatin f dcumentatin must clearly shw that the student is functinally limited in relatin t mst peple. The dcumentatin must als supprt the request fr campus and academic accmmdatins. Accmmdatins are designed t meet the student s needs withut fundamentally altering the nature f the Wffrd Cllege s instructinal prgrams. Accmmdatins are determined n an individual basis and vary frm persn t persn. Requests fr exceptins t curriculum plicies r ther academic-related issues are referred t the Registrar f the Cllege and/r the Assistant Academic Dean f the Cllege. Students with temprary impairments shuld als cntact Disability Services t learn abut available supprt services. 11/21/2008 Page 3 f 21

4 Supprt Services fr Students Wffrd Peer Tutring Prgram Wffrd ffers peer tutring t students wh need help with a curse r curses at n cst. Faculty apprves the student tutrs. Students may arrange peer tutring by ing [email protected]. Wffrd Writing Center Wffrd ffers students the services f a writing center lcated in the Sandr Teszler Library. Students have easy access t library resurces as well as cmputer statins fr internet research and wrd prcessing. The center is staffed by several student tutrs. The purpse f the center is t assist in generating ideas develping and supprting ideas, rganizatin, grammar, punctuatin, and editing t help students imprve their writing thrugh discussin and instructin. The Writing Center is pen Mnday thrugh Friday frm 1:00-4:00 pm. On Sunday, Mnday, Tuesday and Thursday evenings, the center is pen frm 7:00-9:00 pm. The services at the writing center are available at n cst. Academic Advisrs Every student has an academic advisr. Students are assigned an advisr when they enter Wffrd. Prfessrs and staff members serve as advisrs until the student declares a majr. At that time a faculty member in that academic department is assigned as the permanent academic advisr t the student. Advisrs can prvide guidance, infrmatin, and advice. Academic Prblems Students shuld talk with their prfessr abut any prblems they are having in the curse. Prfessrs pst their ffice hurs, and students are welcme t schedule an appintment t discuss cncerns and ther issues abut the curse. Technlgy Help Center The Help Center is available t assist with technlgy-related needs. The Help Center may be reached by dialing HELP (extensin 4357) r by sending an t [email protected]. The Help Center and Cmputer Lab are staffed during the week with expanded hurs during exams. The Help Center is lcated in the Olin Building, secnd flr. Cunseling Services Licensed cunselrs are available n campus t see individuals wh are experiencing persnal, psychlgical, and/r adjustment issues. Cunseling Services is lcated in the Hugh R. Black Building. Individuals shuld cntact Health Services at extensin 4371 r 4373 fr mre infrmatin r t make an appintment. 11/21/2008 Page 4 f 21

5 Rights & Respnsibilities Disability Services Disability Services has the right t: Request and receive current disability dcumentatin that supprts requests fr accmmdatins, and/r auxiliary aids and services; Deny a request fr accmmdatins, and/r auxiliary aids and services if the dcumentatin demnstrates that the request is nt warranted r the student fails t prvide apprpriate dcumentatin; Select amng equally effective accmmdatins, and/r auxiliary aids and services; Refuse accmmdatins, and/r auxiliary aids and services that impse a fundamental alteratin f a Wffrd Cllege prgram r activity. Disability Services has the respnsibility t: Prvide infrmatin t students with disabilities in accessible frmats upn request, within reasnable time frames; Ensure that curses, prgrams, services, activities, and facilities are available and usable in the mst integrated and apprpriate settings; Review requests fr accmmdatins t determine eligibility fr services and nature f accmmdatins; Prvide r arrange reasnable accmmdatins, and auxiliary aids and services; Maintain apprpriate cnfidentiality f recrds and cmmunicatin, and t disclse such infrmatin when permitted by law; Serve as a liaisn between students and faculty; Serve as a resurce n disability issues fr the Wffrd campus cmmunity. Faculty Faculty members have the right t: Identify and establish standards fr curses and academic prgrams; Verify thrugh Disability Services the eligibility fr and nature f accmmdatins befre prvisin f accmmdatins ccurs; Request assistance and resurces frm Disability Services. Faculty members are respnsible fr: Evaluating students slely n the basis f their academic perfrmance; Wrking with the student and Disability Services t ensure the prvisin f reasnable accmmdatins; Fstering an accessible learning envirnment t all learners; Addressing cncerns abut disability accmmdatins with the Disability Services. Students Students with disabilities at Wffrd Cllege have the right t: Equal access t curses, prgrams, services, activities and facilities ffered thrugh the Cllege 11/21/2008 Page 5 f 21

6 Equal pprtunity t learn and receive reasnable accmmdatins, and/r auxiliary aids and services; Infrmatin available in accessible frmats. Students with disabilities have the respnsibility t: Meet qualificatins and maintain essential institutinal standards fr curses, prgrams, services, activities, and facilities; Identify themselves as individuals with disabilities when requesting an accmmdatin and seek infrmatin, cunsel, and assistance as necessary; Dcument disability accrding t established guidelines; Fllw published prcedures fr btaining reasnable accmmdatins, and/r auxiliary aids and services. Students are advised t: Meet with each f their prfessrs t discuss the testing and academic accmmdatins that they anticipate needing fr each class as utlined in the prcedure; Self disclse their disability status t faculty and staff when apprpriate; Exercise self-advcacy t meet their disability-related needs; Cmmunicate with Disability Services n their academic and persnal prgress. 11/21/2008 Page 6 f 21

7 Prcedure fr Requesting Accmmdatins Students shuld fllw these steps fr requesting accmmdatins: Cmplete and submit a Request fr Disability Services Frm Submit dcumentatin (see guidelines) Sign Cnsent fr Reciprcal Release f Infrmatin Frm Allw at least ne week fr Disability Services t review dcumentatin Meet with a staff member t review the prcedure and accmmdatins Changes in Accmmdatin Needs Students are entitled t request additinal accmmdatins r academic adjustments during the curse f the semester, r at any time during their enrllment at Wffrd Cllege. If an adjustment in accmmdatins is necessary, the student shuld: Cntact Disability Services at the earliest indicatin f accmmdatin adjustments; Wrk with Disability Services fr apprpriate changes t accmmdatins, academic adjustments, and/r auxiliary aids and services; Submit dcumentatin t substantiate requests fr new accmmdatins; Allw at least ne week fr the crdinatin and prvisin f new accmmdatins r mdificatins t existing accmmdatins. Academic Dishnesty Students registered with Disability Services are expected t uphld Wffrd Cllege s Hnr Cde and abide by the Cde f Student Rights and Respnsibilities. Any actins that cmprmise academic integrity r the Cde will be referred t the Dean f Students and/ r the Dean f the Cllege fr apprpriate disciplinary actin. General Guidelines fr Dcumentatin t Receive Accmmdatins Sectin 504 f the Rehabilitatin Act and the ADA allw clleges t require disability dcumentatin t verify the need fr accmmdatins. Disability Services has established the fllwing guidelines fr dcumentatin: Dcumentatin must be recent, (within three years) in rder t assess the current impact n academic functining. Dcumentatin must be cmprehensive and establish clear evidence f a significant impact n academic functining. Dcumentatin must be relevant t requested accmmdatins. Dcumentatin must be frm a medical r ther licensed prfessinal. Please refer t specific guidelines fr each type f disability. Please nte that a student s Individualized Educatinal Plan (IEP) is nt sufficient dcumentatin fr academic accmmdatins given in cllege. If the riginal dcumentatin is incmplete r inadequate t determine the extent f the disability r reasnable accmmdatin(s), the Cllege has the discretin t require additinal dcumentatin. 11/21/2008 Page 7 f 21

8 Guidelines fr Dcumentatin f Learning Disabilities The fllwing guidelines are prvided t assure that dcumentatin is apprpriate t verify eligibility and is supprtive f requests fr reasnable accmmdatins, academic adjustments, and/r auxiliary aids n the basis f a specific learning disability. Qualificatins f the Evaluatr Prfessinals cnducting assessments, rendering diagnses f learning disabilities, and making recmmendatins fr apprpriate accmmdatins must be qualified t d s. Cmprehensive training and direct experience with an adlescent and adult learning disabled (instead f LD) ppulatin is essential. Cmpetence in wrking with culturally and linguistically diverse ppulatins is als essential. The name, title, and prfessinal credentials f the evaluatr, including infrmatin abut license r certificatin (e.g., licensed psychlgist) as well as the area f specializatin, emplyment and state in which the individual practices, shuld be clearly stated in the dcumentatin. Currency f Dcumentatin The prvisin f all reasnable accmmdatins and services is based upn assessment f the impact f the student s disabilities n his/her academic perfrmance at a given time in the student s life. Therefre, it is in the student s best interest t prvide recent and apprpriate dcumentatin relevant t the student s learning envirnment. In mst cases this means testing that has been cnducted within the past three years. If the dcumentatin is utdated r inadequate in scpe r cntent, it may be necessary t update the evaluatin reprt r request clarificatin r further infrmatin. Substantiatin f the Learning Disability A single test, an individualized educatin prgram (IEP) r a 504 plan are nt cnsidered sufficient fr the purpse f diagnsis. Instead, the student s dcumentatin shuld cnsist f a cmprehensive assessment battery that includes: diagnstic interview, assessment f aptitude, academic achievement, and infrmatin prcessing with test scres and a specific diagnsis Clinical Summary A diagnstic summary based n a cmprehensive evaluatin prcess is a necessary cmpnent f the reprt. A clinical summary shuld include recmmendatins f specific accmmdatins. A summary must include a demnstratin f the evaluatr s having ruled ut alternative explanatins fr academic prblems as a result f pr educatin, pr mtivatin, and/r study skills, emtinal prblems, attentin prblems, and cultural/language differences. 11/21/2008 Page 8 f 21

9 The summary must include an indicatin f the substantial limitatins t learning r ther majr life activity presented by the learning disability and the degree t which it impacts the individual in the learning cntext fr which accmmdatins are being requested; The summary must include an indicatin as t why specific accmmdatins are needed and hw the effects f the specific disability can be accmmdated. The summary shuld include any recrd f prir accmmdatin r auxiliary aids, including any infrmatin abut specific cnditins under which the accmmdatins were used (e.g., standardized testing, final exams). Recmmendatins fr Accmmdatins The diagnstic reprt shuld include specific recmmendatins fr accmmdatin as well as an explanatin as t why each accmmdatin is recmmended. The specific recmmendatins shuld be supprted by specific test results and/r the clinical bservatins f the evaluatr. 11/21/2008 Page 9 f 21

10 Guidelines fr Dcumentatin f ADD & ADHD The fllwing guidelines are prvided t assure that dcumentatin is apprpriate in rder t verify eligibility and is supprtive f requests fr reasnable accmmdatins, academic adjustments, and/r auxiliary aids n the basis f a diagnsed attentin deficit/hyperactivity disrder. Qualificatins f the Evaluatr Prfessinals cnducting assessments, rendering diagnses f ADD/ADHD and making recmmendatins fr apprpriate accmmdatins must be qualified t d s. The diagnsing prfessinal(s) shuld have expertise in diagnsing attentin deficit/hyperactivity disrders in adults and diagnsing ther psychiatric disrders that might be cnfused with AD/HD. Diagnsis f AD/HD shuld be made by prfessinals, such as a neurlgist, psychiatrist, licensed clinical r educatinal psychlgist, licensed psychlgical examiner, r a cmbinatin f such prfessinals. Definitin Wffrd subscribes t the definitin f attentin deficit/hyperactivity disrder and the diagnstic criteria fr it expunded in the Diagnstic and Statistical Manual f Mental Disrders: Furth Editin (DSM-IV). DSM-IV establishes a new name fr the disrder, calling it Attentin- Deficit/Hyperactivity Disrder (AD/HD) and distinguishes between three types: the type primarily characterized by inattentin (difficulty sustaining attentin t task), the type primarily characterized by hyperactivity-impulsivity (excess fidgeting r talking, r difficulty in refraining frm saying r ding whatever cmes t mind) and the cmbined type, which is characterized by inattentin and hyperactivity-impulsivity. Criteria Wffrd subscribes t the fllwing criteria, stated in DSM-IV, which must be met in rder fr a diagnsis f AD/HD t be made: the persn must display a persistent pattern f inattentin and/r hyperactivity-impulsivity that is mre frequent and severe than is typically bserved in individuals at a cmparable level f develpment ; sme hyperactive-impulsive, r inattentive symptms that cause impairment must have been present befre age 7 years ; sme impairment frm the symptms must be present in at least tw settings (fr example, in the academic setting and at hme); there must be clear evidence f interference with develpmentally apprpriate scial, academic, r ccupatinal functining ; and the disturbance is nt better accunted fr by anther diagnsis (fr example, autism, schizphrenia, chrnic depressin, chrnic anxiety, a dissciative disrder, r a persnality disrder) Currency f dcumentatin Dcumentatin must be current, reflecting evaluatin prvided within the past year. The assessment f AD/HD shuld be current, preferably within three years f the student s request fr disability services. Because the prvisin f all reasnable accmmdatins and services is based upn assessment f the current impact f the student s disability n his/her 11/21/2008 Page 10 f 21

11 academic perfrmance, it is in a student s best interest t prvide recent and apprpriate dcumentatin. Dcumentatin The fllwing infrmatin shuld be included in the assessment dcumentatin: A clear statement f the DSM-IV diagnsis. The date f the diagnsis. A summary f the prcedures and instruments used t make the diagnsis, including aptitude testing, achievement testing, infrmatin prcessing and behavir rating scale. A summary f evaluatin results, including standardized test scres, if available. A descriptin f past and present symptms that meet the criteria fr diagnsis. Medical histry relating t current use f medicatin and the impact f the medicatin n the student s ability t meet the demands f the academic prgram. Statement f impact and limitatins n the student s academic perfrmance. Recmmendatins fr Accmmdatins The diagnstic reprt shuld include specific recmmendatins fr accmmdatin as well as an explanatin as t why each accmmdatin is recmmended. The evaluatr shuld supprt recmmendatins with specific test results r clinical bservatins. If c-existing learning disabilities r ther disabling cnditins are indicated, further assessment and/r dcumentatin may be required. 11/21/2008 Page 11 f 21

12 Guidelines fr Dcumentatin f Psychiatric r Psychlgical Disabilities The fllwing guidelines are prvided t assure that dcumentatin is apprpriate t verify eligibility and is supprtive f requests f a need fr reasnable accmmdatins, academic adjustments, and/r auxiliary aids n the basis f a diagnsed psychiatric r psychlgical disability. Qualificatins f the Evaluatr A diagnsis by a licensed mental health prfessinal including licensed clinical wrkers (LCSW), licensed prfessinal cunselr (LPC), psychlgists, psychiatrists r neurlgists is required. The diagnstician shuld be an impartial individual wh is nt a family member f the student. Currency f dcumentatin Dcumentatin must be current, reflecting evaluatin prvided within the past year. Dcumentatin A clear statement f disability, including the DSM-IV diagnsis and a summary f present symptms; A summary f assessment prcedures and evaluatin instruments used t make the diagnsis and a summary f evaluatin results, including standardized r percentile scres; A cmplete descriptin f any cunseling, specific therapies, and current prescriptin medicatins and any side effects, which wuld cmprmise academic functining; Medical infrmatin relating t the student s need, t include the impact f medicatin n the student s ability t meet the demands f the pstsecndary envirnment; and A descriptin that specifies hw an individual s psychlgical disrder impacts upn his r her perfrmance in the academic cntext. Recmmendatins fr Accmmdatins Summary f apprpriate accmmdatins at the pst-secndary level. These recmmendatins shuld be supprted by the diagnsis. Guidelines fr Dcumentatin f Physical Disabilities, Neurlgical Cnditins r Mbility Impairments Students requesting accmmdatins n the basis f mbility, systemic r disease-related disabilities must prvide dcumentatin frm a licensed medical prfessinal qualified t diagnse and treat the cnditin that includes: An identificatin f the disabling cnditins(s). An assessment f the functinally limiting manifestatins f the cnditin(s) relevant t academic functining r participatin in any aspect f cllege life. Hearing Impairments & Deafness Guidelines fr Dcumentatin f Sensry Impairments Students wh are deaf r hard f hearing must prvide dcumentatin which is current within the last three years cnsisting f: An audi lgical evaluatin and/r audigram; and An interpretatin f the functinal implicatins f the diagnstic data, and the impact n academics; and A list f accmmdatin needs. 11/21/2008 Page 12 f 21

13 Visual Impairments & Blindness Students requesting accmmdatins n the basis f lw visin r blindness must prvide dcumentatin f an cular assessment r evaluatin frm an phthalmlgist, r a lw-visin evaluatin f residual visual functin. The dcumentatin shuld be current within the last three year, and it must include: An assessment f functinally limiting manifestatins f the disabling cnditin, the impact n academics; A list f accmmdatin needs. Speech Impairments Students requesting accmmdatins n the basis f a speech/language disability must prvide written dcumentatin f the disability diagnsed by a qualified prfessinal trained in this area (e.g., physician, speech/language pathlgist, neurlgist, etc.). The dcumentatin shuld be current within the last three years and include the fllwing: A summary f the varius evaluatin tls used in determining the specific disability; A summary f present symptms and hw these symptms affect the student s functining, specifically in relatin t the pstsecndary envirnment; A list f suggested accmmdatins. Guidelines fr Dcumentatin f Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Students requesting accmmdatins n the basis f a traumatic brain injury (TBI) must prvide dcumentatin by a neurpsychlgist/neurlgist. The dcumentatin must include: A thrugh neurpsychlgical evaluatin which includes assessment f the areas f attentin, visual perceptin/visual reasning, language, academic skills, memry/learning, executive functining, sensry, mtr, and emtinal status. Evidence f current impairment. A histry f individual s presenting symptms and evidence f behavirs that significantly impairs functining. A clinical summary which indicates the substantial limitatins t majr life activities psed by the disability and describes the extent t which this limitatin wuld impact the academic cntext fr which accmmdatins are being requested. Guidelines fr Dcumentatin f Substance Abuse Disrder Students requesting accmmdatins n the basis f a substance abuse disrder must prvide dcumentatin a medical r ther licensed prfessinal, such as a psychlgist. It must include the fllwing: Dcumentatin verifying the cmpletin f substance/alchl abuse prgram. Dcumentatin that describes the nature f the addictin, the treatment curse, and plans fr cntinued treatment. Dcumentatin that indicate the mediating side effects f the treatment, such as medicatins. Dcumentatin that validates the requested accmmdatins 11/21/2008 Page 13 f 21

14 Guidelines fr Dcumentatin f Nnspecific Disabling Injuries and Cnditins Nnspecific disabling injuries include but are nt limited t all chrnic health cnditins (asthma, diabetes, sickle cell anemia, etc.), rthpedic injuries r impairments (recvery frm ankle surgery, brken hand, etc,), r any ther cnditin which substantially limits a student s participatin academically. Students requesting accmmdatins n the basis f nnspecific disabling injuries and cnditins must prvide dcumentatin which includes: A descriptin frm a medical r ther licensed prfessinal listing the nature f the cnditin including infrmatin pertaining t the histry, expected curse f treatment, and limitatins resulting frm the cnditin r treatments. An assessment f the current (less than three years ld) impact n the student s academic functining. Cmprehensive infrmatin that establishes clear evidence r a significant impact n the student s academic functining. Data which validates the requested accmmdatins. 11/21/2008 Page 14 f 21

15 Prcedure fr Obtaining Academic Accmmdatins A student wh desires any type f accmmdatins based n a diagnsed disability shuld fllw the prcedure utlined belw each academic term. Since the prcess f prviding accmmdatins invlves assessing the student s needs fr specific curses, it is necessary t review and revise the student s accmmdatin plan n a semester-by-semester basis. All accmmdatin requests must be submitted in a timely manner; therefre, students shuld initiate the accmmdatin planning prcess immediately after pre-registratin. Step 1: Students must submit a Request fr Disability Services Frm and prvide current dcumentatin (within three years) f their disability and accmmdatin needs as determined by a qualified medical r ther licensed prfessinal evaluatr t Disability Services. Guidelines fr dcumentatin are available thrugh Disability Services r nline. Requests and dcumentatin will be reviewed in a timely manner. If dcumentatin is nt available, students can still schedule a meeting t discuss their accmmdatin requests. Step 2: Once a student s dcumentatin has been reviewed, a Disability Services staff member will make an appintment with the student t discuss the accmmdatins and t determine a supprtive plan fr the semester. It is the student s respnsibility t bring t the appintment his/her classes schedule and the names f the prfessrs fr thse classes. Relevant infrmatin such as yur educatinal histry and past accmmdatins will be discussed. Step 3: At the cnclusin f the appintment, frms utlining the accmmdatins will be sent t the prfessrs thrugh campus mail. Students will receive a verificatin letter thrugh indicating the date the frms were sent t yur prfessrs. Step 4: Within 2-3 days after receiving this verificatin letter, students will need t schedule a cnvenient time t meet with their prfessr t discuss the specific accmmdatins. Step 5: Bth the student and the prfessr(s) will sign and retain a cpy f the accmmdatin frm. It is the student s respnsibility t return the white cpy f the accmmdatin frm t Health Services/Disability Services within 10 wrking days f the riginal meeting. 11/21/2008 Page 15 f 21

16 Scheduling Testing Accmmdatins T schedule testing accmmdatins, a student registered with Disability Services must discuss test and exam accmmdatin with his/her prfessr(s) t determine the time, date, and place f tests and exams. If a test r exam is t be administered by Disability Services, students must cmplete the Alternate Testing Site frm n the Disabilities website. The Alternate Testing Site frm must be submitted t Disability Services n later than tw days prir t the examinatin date. If the prfessr reschedules the exam, students must ntify Disability Services t reschedule the testing. If students are sick r unable t take the exam at the scheduled time, Disability Services requires students t speak t the prfessr in rder t schedule a make-up exam. Students must cntact Disability Services abut their inability t take an exam prir t the scheduled exam time. Make-up exams are nly given with permissin f the prfessr. Day f Exam Instructins Students review frmat f the examinatin with the prctr. Students ask questins directly t the prctr. Students take examinatin accrding t apprved testing accmmdatins. Leave backpacks, cell phnes r laptps utside f the testing rm. Accmmdative Testing Accmmdative testing allws the student t take his/her exams in an alternative envirnment, r in an alternative frmat. Accmmdative testing des nt alter the cntent f the exam. Students with disabilities are held t the same standards that students withut disabilities are. Students using accmmdative testing with Disability Services are expected t uphld the integrity f the exam. Shuld that integrity be cmprmised in any manner, students will be referred t the Dean f the Cllege fr disciplinary actin. 11/21/2008 Page 16 f 21

17 Meeting Accessibility Needs n Campus Parking Handicapped parking permits are available thrugh the Disability Services. These permits d nt eliminate the need fr a student t have a regular parking permit fr his/her vehicle. Students must cmplete a request frm fr a handicapped parking permit and submit medical verificatin frms t Health Services even if the student pssesses an fficial handicapped-parking permit issued by a cunty/state. The dcumentatin shuld include the timeframe fr which the permit is being requested. When a Temprary Handicap Permit is issued t a student, he r she must place it n the driver s side f the frnt dashbard. A cpy f the temprary parking permit will be sent t the Campus Safety Office fr the Cllege recrds. All ther frms and dcumentatin will be filed in the student s permanent medical recrds. Academic Buildings and Classrms Staff members in Disability Services and Academic Affairs may rganize classrm lcatins t accmmdate students with temprary r permanent disabilities. Students must: Ntify Disability Services f their classrm accessibility needs three weeks prir t the start f each academic term. Prvide infrmatin regarding their limitatins with: Desks r table tps Seating Stairs and/r elevatrs Specific cllege buildings Residence Halls and Apartments Students wh require mdificatins t their rms n campus r need special husing arrangements shuld cntact the Directr f Health Services t btain the guidelines fr Special Husing Requests. Students must submit dcumentatin t the Directr f Health Services by the deadline impsed by the Residence Life Office. The dcumentatin will be reviewed by a staff member in Health Services and submitted t the Directr f Residence Life. Students will be ntified f their husing accmmdatin by the Residence Life Staff. Service Animals Plicy In accrdance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), service animals are permitted in cllege facilities. Technically speaking, a service animal means any guide dg, signal dg r ther animal individually trained t d wrk r perfrm tasks fr the benefit f an individual with a disability. Examples f the functins f service animals include but are nt limited t: guiding individuals with impaired visin, alerting individuals with impaired hearing, prviding minimal rescue r prtectin wrk, pulling a wheelchair r retrieving drpped items. Therapy r cmpanin animals are nt service animals and are nt cvered under ADA. T wrk n campus, a service animal must be specifically trained t perfrm a service functin. Furthermre, the animal shuld wear a harness, cape, identificatin tag r ther gear that readily identifies its wrking status. Service animals whse behavir pses a direct threat t the health r safety f thers may be excluded regardless f training r certificatin. 11/21/2008 Page 17 f 21

18 Cnfidentiality Disability Services is respnsible fr maintaining cnfidentiality f student recrds and may nt release any part f the dcumentatin withut the student s infrmed and written cnsent. A prfessr des nt have the right t ask a student abut the nature f his r her disability. A student may disclse the nature f his/her disability if he/she wishes t d s. Cpies f disability dcumentatin can be prvided nly with a written release signed and dated by the student. A cnsent frm is printed n the fllwing page. It must be nted that under the Family Educatinal Rights Prtectin Act (FERPA), certain administratrs in the Student Affairs Department are permitted access t this infrmatin in cases when appeals are made. Disability related dcumentatin and infrmatin is managed very carefully and is accessed by authrized ffice staff nly. Disability Services will nt disclse a student s disability status, r any infrmatin abut a student s disability, withut his r her express, written cnsent. 11/21/2008 Page 18 f 21

19 WOFFORD COLLEGE Disability Services 429 Nrth Church Street Spartanburg, Suth Carlina CONSENT FOR RECIPROCAL RELEASE OF INFORMATION I,, authrize Disability Services at Wffrd Cllege t release infrmatin t and receive infrmatin frm the fllwing ffices and/r individuals. This infrmatin will be used fr the purpse f verifying my disability and the specified accmmdatins that have been r will be put int place t supprt me, as well as ther relevant infrmatin that may be necessary t assist me. My initials indicate my cnsent. INITIAL Prfessrs Faculty Advisr Financial Aid regarding schlarship eligibility and ther financial aid cncerns Registrar regarding curse withdrawals and ther eligibility cncerns Campus Safety regarding evacuatin assistance Residence Life fr special husing requests Cunseling Services Health Services Parents: Other administratrs wh may have the need t knw infrmatin. Infrmatin will nt be released withut cnsent unless federal r state law requires it. I understand and agree t the prvisins listed abve. I understand that I can amend, change r cancel this agreement at any time thrugh written ntice t Disability Services. Cnsent t expire n: / / Student Signature: Date: Staff Signature: Date: 6/2006/EDW 11/21/2008 Page 19 f 21

20 Grievance Prcedure fr Students with Disabilities Wffrd Cllege has adpted an internal grievance prcedure prviding fr prmpt and equitable reslutin f cmplaints alleging any actin prhibited by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Sectin 504 f the Rehabilitatin Act f 1973, as amended (29 U.S.C. 794). Sectin 504 states, in part, that n therwise qualified handicapped [sic] individual shall, slely by reasn f his r her handicap, be excluded frm the participatin in, be denied the benefits f, r be subjected t discriminatin under any prgram r activity receiving federal financial assistance Written cncerns shuld be addressed t: Elizabeth Wallace Directr f Health Services Wffrd Cllege 429 Nrth Church Street Spartanburg, SC She can be reached at (864) r [email protected] A cmplaint shuld be filed in writing t the Directr f Health Services. It must cntain the name and address f the persn filing it and a brief descriptin f the alleged vilatin. The Dean will send the grievance prcedures t the persn(s) filing the cmplaint. The Dean will ntify the Academic Dean f the Cllege f the cmplaint. The Dean f the Cllege and the Assciate Dean will review the cmplaint. If apprpriate, the Directr f Health Services will cnduct an investigatin f the facts f the cmplaint. Shuld the cmplaint be made against a Cllege emplyee, Human Resurces will be ntified and will participate in the investigatin. The Cllege will cnduct a thrugh investigatin, affrding all invlved persns and their representatives an pprtunity t submit evidence relevant t a cmplaint. Accmmdatins (if any) recmmended by Wffrd Cllege Disability Services, established by the student s dcumentatin, will cntinue while a cmplaint is under investigatin and pending. A written respnse t the cmplaint and a descriptin f the reslutin, if any, will be issued by the Directr f Health Services. A cpy f the respnse will be given t the cmplainant n later than five business days after reslutin. The Directr f Disability Services will maintain recrds fr Wffrd Cllege relating t the cmplaints filed. The right f a persn t a prmpt and equitable reslutin f the cmplaint filed hereunder will nt be abrgated by the persn s pursuit f ther remedies such as the filing f a Sectin 504 r ADA cmplaint with the respnsible federal department r agency. Using this grievance prcedure is nt a prerequisite t the pursuit f ther remedies. In the event a frmal cmplaint is filed with an entity utside the Cllege, the Dean f the Cllege shall be ntified and given cpies f the cmplaint prir t any investigatin n campus. 11/21/2008 Page 20 f 21

21 These rules will be cnstrued t prtect the substantive rights f interested persns, meet apprpriate prcedural standards and assure that Wffrd Cllege cmplies with the ADA, Sectin 504 and their implementing regulatins. 11/21/2008 Page 21 f 21