ADA Compliance

1. An academic ADA request may take up to a month to process and potentially longer should additional interactive process meetings be necessary.
2. Healthcare provider documentation should contain applicable information which must include the following: diagnosis or condition; description of the limitation(s) and/or impact(s) of the condition(s); and outline of how the requested accommodations directly reduce or alleviate those condition(s), limitation(s), and/or impact(s). For more information, please review the documentation guidelines tab below. 
3. The Office of Educational Support Services reserves the rights to request additional healthcare provider documentation when deemed necessary.
4. Accommodations are not retroactive; Accommodations are active once approved and feasibly implemented.
5. An interactive process may be required to reach an agreement regarding reasonable accommodations.
6. Parties engaged in the accommodation process have rights and responsibilities, please visit the Rights & Responsibilities page to learn more.
7. For answers to more questions about the academic ADA accommodation process, please visit our Frequently Asked Questions page.

• Specific, detailed diagnosis for each physical or mental impairment, substantiated by DSM-V (for psychological) or ICD-10 (for medical) designation.
• Statement regarding whether each impairment is permanent or temporary; if temporary, the expected duration of the impairment.
• Information as to how each impairment directly and currently impacts the individual regarding the physical, emotional, cognitive, or other limitations, and the level of severity the physical or mental impairment impacts the individual’s major life activities (for example, walking, hearing, seeing, learning, communicating, breathing, etc.)
• The impact the impairment has in the context of the student’s applicable learning environment.
• How are the impairments mitigated, corrected, or managed by assistive devices (such as hearing aids and walkers), medications, treatments, or other coping mechanisms?
• If a student is taking medication to treat conditions, note any possible or existing side effects and how these may impact the daily functioning and classroom environment.
• Specific recommendations for reasonable accommodations (such as extended testing time, auxiliary aid, etc.) are necessary for equal access in the academic environment. (Note: This does not ensure the specific requested accommodation will be provided.)

Reconsideration of Determination

Students who disagree with the determination of academic accommodations or application of accommodations, may submit a Request for Reconsideration. Students have five (5) business days from the final accommodation determination or alleged misapplication issue(s) to submit a request for reconsideration of the academic accommodations determination in writing to the Office of Educational Support Services (OESS). The request should include a clear statement describing the reason(s) for seeking reconsideration.

1. After the request has been submitted, the Director of OESS or designee will review the request for reconsideration and may consult with relevant parties.
2. The Director of OESS or designee will notify the student in writing of the decision regarding their request for reconsideration of the academic accommodation determination within five (5) business days from receiving the request for reconsideration. This timeframe may be extended for good cause. In such an instance, OESS will provide written notice to the student of the delay or extension and the reason(s) for the action.
3. The Director of OESS or designee may consider provisional accommodations while the request for reconsideration is pending.

Appeal

If the student does not agree with the determination regarding the request for reconsideration of the academic accommodation determination, the student may file a written Appeal with the identified OESS appellate officer within five (5) business days from written notification of the reconsideration determination. A written Appeal should include the following information:

• Clear statement describing the request or concern;
• reason(s) for the Appeal; and
• desired remedy and resolution.

During the Appeal process, the student may be entitled to receive the academic accommodations/services offered, if any, by the University. The appellate officer at their sole discretion, may gather additional information necessary to the consideration of the student’s Appeal, including, but not limited to, consulting with relevant parties, and interviewing individuals, including the student, who may possess relevant information. The appellate officer will issue a written final determination within fifteen (10) business days. This timeframe may be extended for good cause. In such an instance, OESS will provide written notice to the student of the delay or extension and the reason(s) for the action.