Clarkson College is committed to providing equal access to educational opportunities to otherwise qualified persons with disabilities. The Americans with Disabilities Act (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 major life activities, 2) has a record of such an impairment, or 3) is perceived by others as having such an impairment. In this commitment, the College will provide reasonable accommodations to otherwise qualified individuals provided these accommodations do not: 1) fundamentally alter the nature or operation of the programs, services, or activities at the College, 2) cause undue burden to the College, or 3) pose a direct threat to the health and safety of others.

Procedure for Students Seeking Accommodations

The student must initiate the process of requesting accommodations by contacting the Accommodations Coordinator via email or phone at 2277. Upon receipt of the student's request, the Accommodation 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.

Reasonable accommodations depend upon the nature and degree of severity of the disability. The following guidelines for documentation are suggested to provide adequate information to the Accommodations Coordinator for determination of appropriate accommodation services:

• Evidence that the evaluator has appropriate credentials, training, relevant experience, and no personal relationship to the individual being evaluated.
• A clear current diagnostic statement identifying the disability.
• A description of the diagnostic methodology used such as procedures, tests and dates of administration that should include a clinical narrative, observation, or specific results.
• 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.
• A description of the current treatment, expected progression, and the prognosis and/or stability of the disability.
• 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.

While the ADA requires that priority consideration be given to the specific methods/accommodations requested by the student, it does not imply that a particular accommodation must be granted if it is deemed not reasonable and other suitable techniques are available.

Implementation

Once the intake interview is received, the Accommodations Coordinator will determine eligibility for accommodations, and if eligible, what accommodations are approved. This will be communicated to the student, and if accommodations are approved, the student will receive a Statement of Eligibility (SOE) documenting his/her approved accommodations. The Accommodations Coordinator will schedule an appointment with the student to review the Statement of Eligibility ("SOE") form to ensure the student understands both the faculty and student responsibilities related to the student's accommodations. The student will review, sign, and return the forms to the Accommodations Coordinator. The Accommodations Coordinator will sign the SOE. Upon registration of classes each semester, and with the signed SOE and Release of Information from the student, 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 to present the SOE letter to their appropriate faculty no later than the first weekday of classes. If the student makes changes to 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 business days after receipt of the student's signed SOE and Release of Information. The student is strongly encouraged to communicate with his/her faculty.

The student may appeal this decision with the Accommodations Coordinator.

• 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 then forward the petition to the consult with the Accommodations Committee for review.
• The Accommodations Committee is an ad hoc committee consisting of the Program Director of the acacdemic  program the student is enrolled/intending to enroll in, the Vice President of Operations & Student Affairs, and 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.

If the student needs any changes in accommodations or wants to discontinue accommodations, he/she must contact the Accommodations Coordinator immediately via email or by phone at 402.552.2693.

Timelines for Accommodations

Accommodations are varied, and therefore, the amount of time required to provide accommodations to students also varies. Given that, the following guidelines were established to inform students of the amount of time it may take to arrange for one or more accommodations.

• Generation of Statement of Eligibility (once all documentation is received): three (3) business days
• Notification to faculty of approved accommodations (if accommodations approved prior to the start of the semester): By first day of class
• Notification to faculty of approved accommodations (if accommodations approved after the start of the semester): three (3) business days
• Testing in an alternative location: three (3) business days
• Providing note-taking services: two (2) weeks
• Exam reader or scribe: two (2) weeks
• Modification of classroom facilities: two (2) weeks
• Modification of classroom materials: five (5) weeks
• Sign language interpreter services: six (6) weeks
• Assistive technology: six (6) weeks
• Textbooks in alternate format: eight (8) weeks

Confidentiality

The disclosure of any disability is considered confidential and will be treated in accordance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). Information released to other College employees will be done on a need to know basis and only after the student has signed a Release of Information form.