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Accommodations Provided

Accommodations Provided

Accommodations are provided to meet the requirements of the ADA and Section 504 and to equalize the opportunity for success by minimizing the impact of the disability.

Accommodations provided to students are as varied as the myriad ways people experience disability. All accommodations reflect the reality that two people with similar medical diagnosis may experience their disabilities in unique ways. There is no set of accommodations that apply to every student or every situation. Accommodations provided to a student are based upon the medical documentation provided by the student and, where necessary, discussion with medical providers. Whenever practicable, it is the policy of Accessibility Services to meet with the student and discuss each personal situation before approval of accommodations is made.

Please note that it is the practice at Highlands University to provide in-classroom accommodations to a student on a semester basis. Students are given the latitude to determine whether or not they wish to take advantage of an authorized accommodation at any particular time or place. Students must request accommodations each semester and provide a current copy of their class schedule.

Students are strongly encouraged to meet with their professors to discuss how accommodations will be implemented in their class. Typical accommodations are discussed further in the following section. Please note that tutoring services are never considered an academic accommodation. However, student with a documented disability may take advantage of tutoring services that are provided to all students at Highlands. Accommodations must be within reason and not every request may be filled. The following may be considered unreasonable accommodations: a change in course requirements, fundamentally alteration of the nature of the program, an undue financial or administrative burden, and/or pose an appreciable threat to personal or public safety. The University is not required to provide items that are considered personal that could be needed in accomplishing daily activities both at school and elsewhere, such as a wheelchair, hearing aid, etc.

Testing Accommodations. Testing accommodations are the most frequently requested academic accommodation. Because of its potential impact on academic integrity, it is also the accommodation evaluated most carefully by the Office of Accessibility Services. Even when recommended by medical professionals, requests for testing accommodations are never automatically approved. The Office of Accessibility Services strives to find the level of accommodation that ensures academic integrity while allowing the student a fair opportunity to be successful. Common modifications include extra time for exams, a quiet and separate room for exams, and scribes.

Other accommodations may be made based on the student’s unique situation.
Adaptive Technology. Highlands University supplies appropriate adaptive technology to students with disabilities. Such technology includes CCTVs, hearing equipment, speech-to-text and text-to-speech software, and usable print materials. The main location for this equipment is in Donnelly Library.

Adaptive technology is also located at other places on campus. Contact Accessibility Services for more information. Students with disabilities are not required to register with Accessibility Services to use adaptive technology located in areas generally accessible to the public. However, if students need such equipment as part of an in-class accommodation, they must follow the procedures and meet the deadlines outlined in the Academic Accommodations section of this handbook. If equipment is checked out to a student, that student must assume financial liability for loss or damage to the equipment.

Interpreter Services. Accessibility Services provides sign language services for students who are deaf or hearing impaired. Requests for sign language interpreters must be made through Accessibility Services. Accessibility Services may also assist with coordinating interpreting services for campus functions sponsored by the University. Interpreting services for faculty and staff are the responsibility of the relevant University department. While Accessibility Services recognizes the benefit to the student of using a preferred interpreter, the hiring and scheduling of an interpreter is always at the discretion of the University and the Office of Accessibility Services, and there is no guarantee the student will receive the interpreter of their choice. Students utilizing an interpreter must also follow all relevant procedures outlined in the Interpreter Contract for Students, given to each student when an interpreter is assigned. Interpreters will be assigned accordingly with the resources the University has at that time.

Note takers. Accessibility Services offers note-taking as an accommodation. A pool of prospective note takers will be developed at the beginning of the semester. Note takers will be chosen from this field to fill note taker positions, or a student who attends the same class will be assigned. Accessibility Services does provide carbon copy note-taking paper free of charge to students upon request. Note taking should be viewed by the student as a supplement to their own note taking, note takers are not required to take notes for students during unexcused absences.

Variance from Degree Requirements. The main goal of academic accommodations is to provide the student with the assistance to succeed at the regular University curriculum. However, there are times when the student’s functional limitations may make success in a particular course extremely difficult. In such a case, the student may request a waiver of a University or department course requirement. This is known as an academic appeal. The responsibility for initiating an appeal lies with the student. The student must follow the procedures outlined in the University’s Student Handbook. Accessibility Services can assist and advise the student during the appeals process. However, it is important to realize that Accessibility Services does not approve student appeals. Approval lies with senior administrators in conjunction with faculty advice. Please note that under the law, approval of academic appeals is always at the discretion of the University, assuming the course requirement is valid in the first place.

Handicapped Parking. Accessibility Services does not authorize or issue permits to park in parking spaces reserved for individuals with disabilities. Students parking in reserved parking spaces must possess a state-issued license plate, decal, or placard that identifies them as an individual with a disability. Parking regulations are enforced by University police and complaints regarding code enforcement should be directed to them.
Other. Other accommodations possible include excused absences and lateness to class, priority seating, room reassignments, and large print text.

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