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Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, individuals with disabilities are guaranteed certain protections and rights to equal access to programs and services.  In order to access these rights in higher education, an individual must present documentation indicating that the disability substantially limits some major life activity.

 

The Office of Student Disability Services at any higher education (2-year, 4-year private or regents) institution requires relevant information be submitted to support a request for accommodation.  Generally speaking, current (within three years) information provides the best picture of the current functional impact of the disability, however, disability student service providers at the post secondary level utilize common sense and discretion in accepting older documentation of conditions that are permanent or nonvarying. Likewise, changing conditions and/or changes in how the condition impacts the individual brought on by growth and development may warrant more frequent updates in order to provide an accurate picture. Therefore, offices of student disability services reserve the right to request additional information in order to determine eligibility and to provide appropriate and reasonable accommodations.

 

In some cases, students with certain disabilities (e.g., psychiatric, TBI, etc.) may be required to submit updated documentation from their provider on a continued basis in order to remain eligible for services.

 

The Support for Accommodation Request (SAR) form has been developed as a tool for summarizing documentation from a student’s secondary school experience.  Students and their teachers or transition coordinators should complete the SAR together , summarizing relevant and useful information from a variety of sources (IEPs, assessments, reevaluations, high school records).  The SAR can be used as the basis for verifying eligibility and supporting requests for accommodations, academic adjustments, and/or auxiliary aids at the postsecondary level.

 

The FOUR major steps for requesting accommodations at a 2-year community college, 4- year private or Regents institution are to:

 

• SCHEDULE an appointment with the person who oversees Services for Students with Disabilities.  It is very important in making your decision about which college ‘fits’ you best to visit with a student disability services provider and discuss the support services available to you.

 

• SUBMIT documentation. The SAR provides much of the information the institution requires to determine eligibility for services and to begin the conversation about those accommodations at the college level that will help you to be in control of your learning.  However, there may be situations when conditions have changed and additional or different information (documentation) will be requested in order to fully evaluate your request for accommodations, auxiliary aids, and/or academic adjustments.

 

• REQUEST accommodations or services at the intake appointment and ask about specific procedures for receiving accommodations.  Submission of documentation is NOT the same as a request for services.

 

• PARTICIPATE in the determination of reasonable and appropriate accommodation.  The student disability services provider is your PARTNER in making a smooth transition to college.