RESOURCE MENU
CAMPUS LIFE
Campus Life
Accessibility Services
Anderson University’s Accessibility Services, located in the Center for Student Success, provides individualized accommodations to help students with disabilities access academic programs in line with federal law. Based on documentation and assessed case-by-case, accommodations aim to remove barriers without compromising essential academic standars. Requests should be submitted at least three weeks before services begin.
Qualifying For Services
Students requesting accommodations must self-identify by contacting the Center for Student Success at studentsuccess@andersonuniversity.edu or 864-328-1420 and provide documentation of a qualifying disability as defined by Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the ADA.
The University may consult with professionals to review doumentation, and additional documentation may be required if the inital submission is insufficent. Each request is evaluated individually to enure appropriate accommodations are provided.
Guidelines For Documentation
Students with documented disabilities are eligible for free, individualized accommodations for academics and University activities at Anderson University. Documentation must be submitted at least three weeks before services start, and the University may verify details with a physician. Students meet with Accessibility Services to review needs and are encouraged to discuss accommodations with their professors each semester.
ADD/ADHD
- A clear diagnostic statement on letterhead from a professional who is qualified to diagnose ADHD
- An indication of how the professional arrived at the diagnosis (clinical interview, medical history, continuous performance assessment, psychological assessment, behavior rating scales, etc.)
- Treatment plan and prognosis
- An indication of how the liability affects the student in an academic environment
Other sources that may help support accommodations for an ADHD diagnosis include:
- A 504 Plan or IEP from high school
- Documentation of a medical history of ADH diagnosis
- Evidence of accommodations received in high school
- Evidence of accommodations received at another post-secondary institution
- Evidence of accommodations received on standardized testing
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
- Diagnosis from a psychologist, psychiatrist, developmental pediatrician, child neurologist qualified to diagnose ASD
- Evidence of a comprehensive diagnostic evaluation
- Assessment data, interpretation of data, history, and observations
- Historical perspective of academic adjustments
Deaf/HOH
- Diagnosis using medical criteria
- Test data, interpretation of data, history, and observations
Medical/Health Conditions
- Diagnosis using medical criteria
- Test data, interpretation of data, history, and observations
- Preferably not discharge paperwork from an ER or doctor’s office
Psychiatric Disabilities
Documentation from a current treating provider should be on letterhead, be signed and dated, and:
- Must state the disability including and Axis diagnosis and/or DSM code
- Provide support for the diagnosis and how it meets the definition of a person with a disability under the ADA
- Must describe how this impairment significantly limits a major life activity/activites in general and in an academic setting
- Should include relevant information relating to impact of medication and/or treatment on the student’s ability to participate in all aspects of the university environment (classroom, housing/dining, extracurricular activities, etc.)
Temporary Medical Issues
- Diagnosis using medical criteria
- Test data, interpretation of data, history, and observations
- May sometimes be discharge paperwork from an ER or doctor’s office
Traumatic/Acquired Brain Injury
- General assessment of cognitive abilities
- Specific information, including processing speed and memory regarding levels of functioning and limitations in all affected areas, i.e. communication, vision, hearing, mobility, psychological and neurological
- Analysis of educational achievement skills and limitations in reading comprehension, written language, spelling and mathematical skills
NOTE:
- A concussion is the mildest form of brain injury, but can result in some need for potential academic adjustments
Visual Impairments
- Diagnosis using medial criteria
- Test data, interpretation of data, history, and observations
Provisional Accommodations
- Provisional accommodations may be approved on a case-by-case basis, and are generally appropriate when a student has received a definitive diagnosis, byut is waiting for a third-party such as a physician’s office or counselor to submit completed documentation to the Accessibility Services office.
- Provisional accommodations are available only for the semester the request was made and approved. Additional documentation is required to continue accommodations.
- Special Housing Accommodation Request Form: The Residence Life office partners with Anderson’s Center for Student Success to provide reasonable accommodations for Residents with medical, physical, or psychological conditions. Residents requesting special campus housing accommodations due to a documented disability should contact the Center for Student Success. The Center for Student Success determines qualification for accommodations. Please fill out this release form.
- Residents must submit the appropriate documentation before the deadlines listed below.
New Students
- Requests by new students that are submitted after the priority housing deadline of May 1 will be considered late and may result in a processing delay or lack of availability of the requested special housing accommodations.
Returning Students
- Requests by returning students that are submitted after the housing application deadline of March will be considered late and may result in a processing delay or lack of availability of the requested housing accommodations. New or urgent conditions will be considered upon receipt of appropriate documentation. Please note that if a Resident with an approved need turns down the opportunity to live in University Housing that accommodates their need, the Residence Life Office may cancel the approval.
Student Housing Accommodations
The Residence Life office collaborates with the Center for Student Success to offer accommodations for residents with documented disabilities. Resients needing special campus housing should contact the Center for Student Success, which will determine eligibility. Required documentation must be submitted by the specificed dealines.
New Students
Submit documentation by May 1st to avoid delays or limited availability of accommodations.
Returning Students
Submit by March 1st. Late requests may face delays or limited availability. Notes that declining approved housing may cancel accommodations.
Rights and Responsibilities
Record Maintenancne/Confidentiality
The Center for Student Success is the designated office at Anderson University to receive and review disability documentation. This office is also charged with keeping disability-related records securely and confidentially. Records of students with disabilities are maintained with the Center for (5) years after the last semester of enrollment. Documents that relate to the student’s disability are not part of the academic record in the Registrar’s Office. Disability documentation and related information and the release of this information are governed by the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).
Information discussed with the director will be kept as confidential as possible and as permitted by law. Exceptions include, but are not limited to: (1) student is believed to be a threat to self or others; (2) abuse of a child or elder; (3) court subpoenaed records.
Procedure:
- The student may submit the Release of Information Form to indicate his/her preference regarding a release of information. This may be amended at any time.
- The Center for Student Success keeps all records under lock.
- To release confidential records to professionals outside the university, the student must sign the Release of Information form.
- After five (5) years, documentation and case notes will be shredded.
Grievances
Students with disabilities are responsible for contacting the Center for Student Success (accessibility Services) if resonable accommodations are not implemented in an effective or timely manner. Accessibility Services works with students with disabilities and University personnel to resolve dsiagreements regarding recommended accommodations. If no resolution is obtained, students who beleive they have been discrimminated against on the basis of their disability may file a written greievance with the Associate Vice President for Student Development/504 Compliance Officer. A report may also be made to the U.S Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights:
U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights:
- U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights 400 Maryland AVe., SW Washington, D.C. 20202-1328
- 1-800-421-3481
- Email Address: ocr@ed.gov
- Web: http://www.ed.gov/ocr
Students' Rights
Students with disabilities at Anderson University have the right to:
- Equal access to courses, programs, services, and facilities offered through the University
- Equal opportunity to work and learn, and the receive reasonable accommodations
- Appropriate confidentiality of all information regarding their disability(ies) and to choose to whom information about their disability(ies) will be disclosed, except disclosures that are required or permitted by law
- Information available in accessible formats
Students' Responsibilities
Students with disabilities at Anderson University have the responsibility to:
- Meet qualifications and maintain essential standards for courses, programs, services, jobs, activities, and facilities
- Identify themselves as an individual with a disability when an accommodation is needed and to seek information, counseling, and assistance
- Provide documentation (from an appropriate professional) that states how the disability limits their participation in courses, programs, services, jobs, activities, and facilities
- Follow Institutional procedures for obtaining reasonable accommodations
- Secure personal independent living aids or provide for other personal disability related needs
- Assume personal responsibility for meeting with faculty, requesting assistance through supplemental service, and meeting university standards
Anderson University's Rights
Anderson University has the right to:
- Identify and establish essential functions, abilities, skills, knowledge and standards for courses, services, jobs, activities and facilities and to evaluate faculty, staff and students on the basis
- Request and receive current documentation that supports the need for accommodations
- Deny a request for accommodations, academic adjustments, and/or auxiliary aids and services if the documentation demonstrates that the request is nor warranted, or if the individual fails to provide appropriate documentation
Anderson University's Responsibilities
Anderson University has the responsibility to:
- Provide information to students with disabilities in accessible formats upon request
- Ensure that courses, programs, services, jobs, activities, and facilities, when viewed in their entirety, are available and usable
- Provide or arrange reasonable accommodations, academic adjustments, and/or auxiliary aids and services for students with disabilities in courses, programs, services, jobs, activities and facilities
- Maintain appropriate confidentiality of records and communications
- Provide accommodations to ensure equal access, not to guarantee success in academics
