Policy Author:
AVP Student Success
Responsible Office – Department:
Accessibility Services
Effective Date of Policy:
Fall, 2021
Purpose:
Establish a guideline for the submission of documents pertaining to a student’s disability
Scope and Applicability:
Students with disabilities, the Director of Accessibility Services
Policy Narrative:
Daemen University is committed to ensuring equal access and full participation in all programs and activities of the University for students with disabilities in compliance with the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and applicable state and local laws providing for nondiscrimination. Disability Services is the designated department by the University to determine reasonable accommodations and services for students with disabilities. The following are sources of information that are used for determining a disability and/or appropriate accommodations:
Student self report – Students should schedule a meeting with the Director of Accessibility Services to describe their disability and accommodations they are requesting to receive. Students may consider including information about their experience related to their disability, barriers faced and/or previous accommodations used.
Observation and Interaction – Observations can help validate information in a student self-report which further validates the need for accommodations. Accessibility Services staff is experienced in working with students with disabilities and may be able to determine if the request is reasonable based on observations and interactions.
Documentation – Disability related documentation should provide information on the impact of the disability so appropriate accommodations may be identified. Documentation may include assessments, reports, and/or letters from diagnosing and treating health care providers, psychiatrists or other qualified professionals. Suggested documentation elements include:
- Typed on letterhead, dated and signed by qualifying professional
- Diagnostic statement
- Impact and/or symptoms of the disability
- If appropriate, severity, expected progression and list of medication side effects
- Current and/or past accommodations
- Recommendations for accommodations
Procedures:
Documentation should be mailed, emailed or faxed to the confidential attention of Debbie Dimitrovski, Director of Accessibility Services, Daemen University, 4380 Main St., Amherst, New York 14226. (716) 839-8583 Fax: (716) 745-4335. access@daemen.edu Documentation is kept confidential and shared only on a need-to-know basis in accordance with the requirements of all applicable laws.