Student Accessibility Services
Student Accessibility Services Policy & Procedure Manual
Definitions & Terms
Applicant
Any student admitted to the University and pursuing accommodations for a disability by submitting appropriate application materials to the University Student Accessibility Committee.
Disability
According to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a disability includes any mental or physical impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities. Learning is a major life activity. When a learning disability makes learning significantly harder, it meets the definition of a mental impairment under the law.
Learning Disabilities
As stated by the Americans with Disabilities Act, a learning disability is a neurologic disorder that causes difficulties in learning that cannot be attributed to poor intelligence, poor motivation, or inadequate teaching. Learning disabilities may occur in the following academic areas:
- Language, both spoken and written (often difficulties with reading, writing, and spelling)
- Arithmetic (difficulty in performing arithmetic functions or in comprehending mathematical concepts)
Mental Impairment
A mental impairment includes any mental or psychological disorder, such as intellectual disabilities (formerly referred to as developmental disabilities), organic brain syndrome, emotional or mental illness, and specific learning disabilities. These impairments may substantially limit one or more major life activities, including learning, thinking, concentrating, and communicating.
Major Life Activities
Major life activities are the kind of activities that you do every day, including your body’s own internal processes. Some examples include eating, sleeping, speaking, breathing, walking, standing, lifting, and bending, thinking, and concentrating, seeing, and hearing, working, reading, learning, and communicating as well as the operation of major bodily functions like circulation, reproduction, and individual organs.
SUBSTANTIALLY LIMITS
The term “substantially limits” is interpreted broadly and is not meant to be a demanding standard. But not every condition will meet this standard.
Physical Impairment
Physical impairment includes any physiological disorder or condition, cosmetic disfigurement, or anatomical loss that affects one or more body systems. These systems include neurological, musculoskeletal, special sense organs (such as vision and hearing), respiratory (including speech organs), cardiovascular, reproductive, digestive, genitourinary, hemic, and lymphatic, skin, and endocrine systems. Such impairments may substantially limit one or more major life activities.
Qualified Student
A student who meets the academic and technical standards (also known as essential functions) required for admission to continued participation in and graduation from the program or activity with or without reasonable accommodation.
MODIFICATION
- A modification is a change to policies, procedures, or practices that allow students with disabilities equal opportunity to benefit from the school’s programs. Modifying attendance policies for a student with a chronic health condition.
- Allowing a student with a psychiatric disability to reduce course load without losing full-time status or aid eligibility.
- Adjusting deadlines in response to disability-related flare-ups.
Colleges are not required to modify policies if doing so would fundamentally alter the nature of a program or compromise essential academic requirements.
Accommodation
An accommodation is a change in the environment or how things are usually done, which enables a student with a disability to access course content, demonstrate learning and fully participate.
Reasonable Accommodation
A reasonable accommodation is any approved change to the way curriculum is delivered or how student knowledge or proficiency is assessed, intended to ensure that a qualified individual with an approved disability can fully and equally access the benefits and privileges available to all students in the educational setting. These accommodations or modifications are designed to provide equal access and opportunities for participation in the University’s academic programs.
An accommodation is considered reasonable if it does not:
- Fundamentally alters the nature of a course, program, or academic standard.
- Compromise the essential requirements of a course or activity (for example, extended time would not be granted for time-sensitive skills or experiences).
- Compromise the safety of the student, peers, patients, or others.
- Impose an undue hardship on the University.
It is important to note that services of a personal nature, such as individual tutoring or typing assistance, are not considered reasonable accommodations under the ADA for postsecondary institutions.
Temporary Medical Conditions
Temporary medical conditions such as pregnancy, a broken bone, or recovery from surgery are not considered disabilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). However, when a temporary condition is verified by an appropriate diagnosing professional, the University will make reasonable efforts to support the student, as appropriate, within the framework of the required curriculum. Students experiencing a temporary medical condition are encouraged to consult with the Accessibility Office to discuss support options.
Discrimination
Not making reasonable accommodations to the known physical or mental limitations of an otherwise qualified individual with a disability unless such covered entity can demonstrate that the accommodation would impose an undue hardship.
Undue Hardship
An undue hardship results when an accommodation places a significant administrative or financial burden on the University. Universities must provide reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals with disabilities unless it creates undue hardship. These hardships include the nature and cost of the accommodation in relation to the size, resources, nature, and structure of the University’s operation.
University Student Accessibility Services Committee
The University Student Accessibility Services Committee (the “Committee”) is a recognized Standing Committee of NEOMED. The Committee serves as the review and approval body for student requests for accommodation based on a disability and in compliance with the ADA and state and local requirements regarding persons with disabilities. The Committee is co-chaired by faculty from the Bitonte College of Dentistry, College of Medicine and College of Pharmacy, at least one of which must have a College of Graduate Studies faculty appointment. Committee members include representatives from the College of Medicine, College of Pharmacy and College of Graduate Studies, and they are supported by representatives from Enrollment Services, Academic Services and Student Affairs.
More detailed information is available in the University Bylaws, Appendix G.