Policy:

Clarkson College is committed to full compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) as amended (2008), which 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 Clarkson 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. Examples of exam accommodations are below:
   1. Extended time
   2. Reduced distraction
   3. Fidget device
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

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. Use of assistive technology in clinic/lab settings. Examples of available assistive technologies are listed below:
   1. Speech-text software (e.g., CART)
   2. Text enlargement
   3. Alternate format of text
   4. Screen readers
   5. Amplification device/FM system
8. Sign language interpreting
9. Rest breaks to stand up and stretch
10. Adaptive furniture

Procedure:

1. The student will initiate the process for requesting accommodations by contacting [email protected] 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 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 administration dates, 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 expected progression of the current treatment and the prognosis and/or stability of the disability.
   6. Recommendations for accommodations and/or auxiliary aids with rationale. Clarkson College is not obligated 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. Please note that once all the required documentation is received, the Accommodations Office will have up to 14 business days* to review the request and, if approved, provide the student with a statement of eligibility letter.

1. 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, before the approval of accommodations, the Accommodations Coordinator will consult with faculty member(s) 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.
2. Once adequate documentation is received for clinical accommodations, the Accommodations Coordinator will determine if the student is eligible for clinical accommodations and, if so, which accommodations are approved. The Accommodations Coordinator will consult with the Program Director and clinical faculty member(s) 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, and clinical site.
3. The Accommodations Coordinator will meet with the student, in person or virtually, to discuss 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.
   2. If the student has been deemed eligible for clinical accommodations, the student will work with the Program Director and/or the clinical faculty member(s) for the course to coordinate with the clinical site regarding the approved accommodations.
   3. If the Accommodations Coordinator deems the student ineligible, he or she will communicate the rejection in writing to the student. The student may appeal this decision with the Accommodations Coordinator. The appeal process is as follows:
      1. 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. The form is attached below in Appendix A.
      2. Within five (5) business days*, the Accommodations Committee will convene to review the Petition to Appeal an Accommodations Decision. 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.
      3. 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.
      4. The Accommodations Coordinator will notify the student of the Accommodations Committee's decision within five (5) business days*. The Accommodations Committee decision is final.
   4. It is the student’s responsibility to initiate communication with their faculty regarding accommodations in the classroom. The student will be responsible for presenting their SOE letter to their appropriate faculty no later than the first week of classes. If the student changes their schedule, the student must notify the Accommodations Coordinator of said changes. If eligibility is determined after the start of the semester, faculty must be notified by the student within two (2) business days* after receipt of their SOE.
   5. Faculty are required to meet with the student, either in person, by phone, or virtually, to review the approved accommodations.
   6. If there are approved accommodations that may require additional academic preparation (e.g., captioning), the student will notify the appropriate faculty member within a minimum of 14 business days* to allow for adequate time for said preparation.
   7. Once accommodations are approved, upon registration of classes each semester, the Accommodations Coordinator will email the student to verify if they wish to continue with their approved accommodations. If the student elects to continue receiving accommodations, the Accommodations Coordinator will email an updated SOE to the student, the Testing Center (if applicable), and the Program Director.
   8. It is the student’s responsibility to communicate with the Accommodations Coordinator any requests for changes in and/or discontinuation of accommodations.

Non-Disability Related Accommodations

Title IX – Pregnancy and Parental Status Accommodations

The US Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights (OCR) states that Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 is a Federal civil rights law that prohibits discrimination based on sex—including pregnancy and parental status—in educational programs and activities.

Clarkson College supports students with reasonable accommodations who are experiencing pregnancy, loss of pregnancy, undergoing fertility treatments, or experiencing pregnancy-related medical conditions. Reasonable accommodations help students maintain their educational plans while not centrally altering the nature of academic programs or requirements. Commonly, reasonable accommodations may include reasonable break time for lactation in a clean and private space, shifting assignment and exam dates, excusing absences for medical appointments, in some cases, a medical leave of absence, or taking an incomplete in a class and making up the work missed at a later date.

The Deputy Title IX Coordinator

The Accommodations Coordinator serves as the Deputy Title IX Coordinator and is located on the fifth floor of the main Clarkson College building. The Deputy Title IX Coordinator's primary responsibility will be pregnancy or pregnancy-related Title IX items.

Religious Accommodations

Clarkson College welcomes diversity of religious beliefs and practices, recognizing the contributions differing experiences and viewpoints can bring to the community. There may be times when an academic requirement conflicts with religious observances and practices, and Clarkson College is committed to making every reasonable effort to accommodate religious observances. To request a religious accommodation, the student is responsible for contacting the Accommodations Office at [email protected] to review their religious/spiritual accommodation request. Each request will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

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

Click here to view the SW-2 Student Accommodations Form.

8/1/2024