Vision

Students with disabilities have a right to equal access to all programs,services,and courses delivered at or of . cially sponsored by Highlands University. They have a right to learn and achieve based upon their innate abilities and they will not be judged solely on the basis of a disability.

Mission and Goals

To sucessfully integrate students with disabilities into the academic and social life of the campus community and ensure university compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. To advo- cate responsibility for an accessible and hospitable learning environment through the removal of informational, physical,and attitudinal barriers. To promote student self-awareness, self-deter- mination, and personal responsibility.

Overview of Services

Disability Services is the primary point on contact for all disability re- lated issues at Highlands University. This includes all branch campuses. At Highlands,Disability Services does not normally provide accommodations directly. Rather, Disability Services coordinates academic accommodations with appropriate university departments and employees; advises faculty, staff,and management on disability issues, and advocates on issues of concern to students with disabilities. Disability Services also advises students on academic,career,and transitional issues and provides referrals where appropriate.

Disability related assistance for employees,including EEO related matters,is handled by Human Resources.

How to Access Services

Disability Services,as the name implies,exists to serve. Students wishing to access services provided by Disability Services must abide by the policy and procedures outlined in this manual. The goal of such policies and procedures is to implement a system and process that promotes the educational success of students while they are at Highlands,is fair for all students,and is consistent with professional and legal guidelines. Students with disabilities are not required to register or identify themselves in anyway unless they wish to receive services. Students requesting academic accommodations must provide current medical documentation of their disability and meet with staff in the Disability Services office. As the area of academic accommodations can become quite complicated,students should refer to the chapter of this handbook dealing with academic accommodations for specic details. Students who wish to receive general academic support such as academic advising,career advising,and so on should contact Disability Services for either an appointment or a referral. Students with a complaint or grievance should follow the directions under the appropriate section in the Disability Services manual.

Customer Service Standards

Student who interact with Disability Services can expect quality services and prompt, courteous assistance. Disability Services is committed to meeting the following customer services goals:

General Standards

All individuals will be treated equally and with sensitivity towards their emotional, psychological, ethnic, and cultural status.

All phone calls and e-mails will receive a response within 24 hours. All letters will receive a response within ten business days of receipt.

Individuals will be seen within 10 minutes of a prearranged appointment. If an appointment needs to be canceled, the student will be notified as soon as possible.

Academic Accommodations

All information will be treated with care and kept confidential consistent with the Family Educational Privacy Rights Act (FERPA) and professional guidelines.

Decisions regarding a student's request for accommodations will be made within one week. If a student does not initially submit complete documentation, Disability Services will work with the student and his or her medical providers in an attempt to assure that the student's paperwork is complete.

The accommodation memo will be sent out to professors via e-mail or letter by the end of the first week of class if the student's class schedule is submitted before the first day of class. Otherwise, the accommodation memo will be sent out within ten business days of the accommodation(s) being approved by Disability Services.

Information Dissemination

Public information will be disseminated in a variety of formats and mediums including writing, orally, electronically, and in formats necessary to meet the needs of students with visual and hearing disabilities.

Prompt and accurate referrals to other individuals, agencies, and/or organizations as necessary to meet the needs of the customer.

Complaints

Individuals who believe that these customer service standards have not been met should notify the Vice President of Student Affairs.

Overview | Accommodations | Scholarships | Disability Interpreting Services | Instructional Design for Faculty

The 2006 Disability Handbook | Disability Services Application (DOC) | Disability Services Brochure (PDF)

Career & Placement | Disability & Testing | Orientation