Right of Students with Disabilities (Policy SW-2)

The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) as amended (2008) defines a person with a disability as any individual who (1) has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more life activities, (2) has a record of such an impairment; or (3) is perceived as having an impairment. Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 states that no “otherwise qualified person” with a disability can be excluded from, denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity within an institution that receives Federal financial aid. Collectively, these Federal statutes require institutions of higher education to provide equal access to educational opportunities to otherwise qualified individuals with disabilities provided that such accommodations do not: 1) fundamentally alter the nature or operation of the College’s programs, services, or activities, 2) cause undue burden to the College, or 3) pose a direct threat to the health and safety of others.

To be eligible for disability services, students must have a disability as defined by the ADA (as amended) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Clarkson College relies on the student’s self-report and documentation from a qualified, licensed professional when determining accommodations. It is the responsibility of the student to request accommodations through the Academic Compliance Office and to participate in the interactive process for the determination of reasonable accommodations. Students have the choice of whether to utilize approved accommodations.

Types of Accommodations (including, but not limited to):

Academic

  1. Exam accommodations. Exam accommodations include extended time, reduced distraction, and fidget devices.
  2. Notetaking services
  3. Recording of lectures
  4. Access to lecture slides
  5. Printed materials in alternate formats
  6. Assistive technology
  7. Sign language interpreting
  8. CART/Transcription
  9. Pregnancy accommodations (Title IX)

Clinical

  1. Altered schedule for a clinical clerkship
  2. Preferential location of clerkship
  3. Preferential order of clerkship rotation
  4. Modified attendance
  5. Modified attendance requirements. Examples of potential modified attendance accommodations are below:
    1. Leave from overnight shifts
    2. Release from clinic to attend necessary appointments related to disability
  6. Use of assistive technology in clinic
  7. Sign language interpreting
  8. Rest breaks to stand up and stretch
  9. Adaptive furniture
  10. Use of assistive technology in clinic/lab settings, Examples of available assistive technologies are listed below:
  • Speech-to-text software (e.g., CART)
  • Text enlargement
  • Alternate format of text
  • Screen readers
  • Amplification device/FM system

Procedure:

  • The student will initiate the process for requesting accommodations by contacting accommodations@clarksoncollege.edu or the Accommodations Coordinator at 402-552-6285.
  • Upon receipt of the student’s request, the Accommodations Coordinator will contact the student to obtain a signed student release of information form and an accommodations letter from the student’s licensed health care provider. The following guidelines for documentation are suggested to provide adequate information to the Accommodations Coordinator for the determination of appropriate accommodation services:
    1. Evidence that the evaluator has appropriate credentials, training, relevant experience, and no personal relationship to the individual being evaluated.
    2. A clear current diagnostic statement identifying the disability.
    3. A description of the diagnostic methodology used, such as procedures, tests, and dates of administration, should include a clinical narrative, observation, or specific results.
    4. A description of how the disability substantially limits a major life activity of the student and/or a description of the current impairment and its functional impact.
    5. A description of the current treatment, expected progression, and the prognosis and/or stability of the disability.
    6. Recommendations for accommodations and/or auxiliary aids with rationale. The College has no obligation to adopt recommendations made by outside parties, although they will be considered in determining accommodations.

Additional documentation may be requested, including, but not limited to, educational records, letters from educators, diagnostic reports, letters from health care providers, records of past accommodations, letters or records from local, state, or federal agencies, and/or VA records.  

  • Once adequate documentation is received for academic accommodations, the Accommodations Coordinator will determine if the student is eligible for academic accommodations and, if so, which accommodations are approved. If necessary, prior to the approval of accommodations, the Accommodations Coordinator will consult with the Program Director and/or the faculty member of the academic program/course the student is enrolled/intending to enroll in if there is any question as to whether an accommodation may pose a direct threat to the health and safety of others.
  • Once adequate documentation is received for clinical accommodations, the Accommodations Coordinator will consult with the Program Director and/or the faculty member for the course the student is enrolled/intending to enroll in to determine if there is any question as to whether an accommodation may pose a direct threat to the health and safety of others. Available clinical accommodations may vary based on the relevant program and/or course.

The Accommodations Coordinator will communicate to the student whether he/she has been deemed eligible for accommodations and, if so, which accommodations are approved.

  1. If the student has been deemed eligible for academic accommodations, the Accommodations Coordinator will review the Statement of Eligibility (“SOE”) form with the student to ensure the student understands both the faculty and student responsibilities related to the student’s accommodations. The student will sign and return the forms to the Accommodations Coordinator. The Accommodations Coordinator will sign the SOE.
  2. If the student has been deemed eligible for clinical accommodations, the student will work with the Program Director and/or the faculty member for the course to coordinate with the clinical site regarding the approved accommodations. If the Accommodations Coordinator deems the student ineligible, he or she will communicate the rejection in writing to the student.
  3. The student may appeal this decision with the Accommodations Coordinator. The appeal process is as follows:
    • The student must submit a Petition to Appeal an Accommodations Decision Form to the Accommodations Coordinator within (5) business days of receipt of the denial of Accommodations.
    • Within (2) business days, the Accommodations Coordinator will forward the petition to the Accommodations Committee for review.
    • The Accommodations Committee is an ad hoc committee consisting of the Program Director of the academic program the student is enrolled/intending to enroll in, the Vice President of Enrollment and Retention, the Vice President of Academic Affairs, and a Student Support representative.
    • Within (5) business days, the Accommodations Committee will convene to review the Petition to Appeal an Accommodations Decision.
    • When a decision has been reached, the Accommodations Committee will complete the Petition to Appeal an Accommodations Decision Form and submit it to the Accommodations Coordinator.
    • The Accommodations Coordinator will subsequently notify the student of the decision of the Accommodations Committee, which is final.
  • Upon registration of classes each semester, the Accommodations Coordinator will email the student’s approved accommodations (SOE) letter to the student and the Testing Center (if applicable).
  • The student will be responsible for presenting the SOE letter to their appropriate faculty no later than the first week of classes. If the student changes his/her schedule, the student should notify the Accommodations Coordinator of said changes. If eligibility is determined after the start of the semester, faculty will be notified by the student within two (2) business days after receipt of the student’s signed SOE and Release of Information.
  • The student’s responsible for initiating communication with his/her faculty regarding accommodations in the classroom.
  • If there are approved accommodations that may require additional academic preparation (e.g., captioning), the student will notify the appropriate faculty in a timely manner to allow adequate time for said preparation.
  • The student must respond to email communication from the Accommodations Coordinator regarding continuing their accommodations each semester.
  • The student’s responsible for communicating with the Accommodations Coordinator any requests for changes in and/or discontinuation of accommodations.

Clarkson College reserves the right to ask for additional documentation as needed.