Services for Self-Identified Disabled Students
General Policy
Drew University, in accord with the policies underlying Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans Disability Act of 1990, and in compliance with the Association of Higher Education and Disability guidelines, works to ensure that reasonable accommodations are implemented for enrolled students with documented disability to function in the academic environment. All admitted students are judged by the appropriate admissions officer to have the ability to succeed academically, and all students are required to meet the same academic standards. At the same time, the University recognizes that documented disability and potential learning differences may require accommodations. We are committed to helping all students develop fully and complete successfully their degree requirements.
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Self-Identification
The University acknowledges that the decision to self-identify is a personal matter and makes no pre-admission inquiry about candidate's disability.
If a candidate wishes to inquire about disability services offered by the University, a confidential meeting with the Office of Educational Affairs may be arranged by contacting the office at 973/408-3327.
Upon acceptance to a degree program and a minimum of one month prior to enrollment in classes, admitted students are encouraged to discuss the nature of their disability with and to submit documentation of their disability to the Office of Educational Affairs. Accommodations can then be determined, thereby allowing students the appropriate resources to assist them in achieving their academic potential at the start of their program of study. Admitted students requesting accommodations are required to complete and submit a Self-identification form (along with appropriate documentation) to the Office of Educational Affairs. Self-Identication Form (PDF).
Please note: It is the student's responsibility to initiate contact with the Office of Educational Affairs. Accommodations are not permitted on a retroactive basis.
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Confidentiality
Information is released to University staff and/or faculty strictly on a need to know basis.
Please note: Any documentation voluntarily submitted to an admissions officer is not forwarded to the Office of Educational Affairs. No action on documentation is taken until the student requesting accommodations meets with the Office of Educational Affairs.
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Support Services
The Office of Educational Affairs works to provide reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities so they can achieve their academic potential. The Office of Educational Affairs is available to meet with self-identified students on an as needed basis. Appropriate accommodations are determined and course instructors are informed accordingly. At the student's request, a meeting with course instructors will be scheduled on an as needed basis to discuss appropriate accommodations.
Among the reasonable accommodations provided to help enrolled students with disabilities meet the degree requirements are:
- Counseling services
- Peer tutoring
- Services of the Writing Center, staffed by peer tutors
- Note takers
- Examination accommodations
- Tape recorders
- Lap-top computers for in class use
There are no charges for the aforementioned support services.
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Guidelines for Documentation of Disability
The Office of Educational Affairs requires self-identified students to submit disability-related documentation from the appropriate licensed professional both to verify a self-identified student as having a disability and to determine reasonable disability related accommodations. The student is responsible for any costs associated with obtaining appropriate documentation of disability. If documentation submitted is deemed inadequate or incomplete to determine the extent of the disability and/or reasonable accommodations, additional documentation may be requested at the discretion of the Office of Educational Affairs. The student is also responsible for any costs associated with obtaining additional documentation.
The following should be considered when submitting documentation:
- Documentation must be from a licensed professional, qualified in the appropriate specialty area for which accommodations are being requested. Documentation for learning disabilities or AD/HD must include submission of raw test score data which may be needed if the University seeks a second professional opinion.
- Documentation must be less than three years old. However, the University may use discretion in the following cases: (a) documentation greater than three years old when it involves a permanent condition, or (b) conditions that will warrant more current documentation and/or more frequent updates in order to reflect a student's level of functioning most accurately.
- Documentation must include specific diagnostic information (e.g., DSM-IV multiaxial diagnosis, ICD diagnosis).
- Documentation must provide clear explanations of the current impact of disability on the student's ability to function in an academic environment. All functional limitations in such an environment must be clearly stated.
- Documentation must clearly state the reasonable accommodations being requested. In addition, the documentation must provide a clear rationale for each accommodation being requested. All accommodations are determined based upon the impact of disability on a student's academic performance.
- Documentation, as appropriate, must include investigation and discussion of the possibility of dual diagnoses, behavioral, neurological, and/or personality disorders, which may confound a diagnosis.
- As indicated, documentation should discuss the impact of medication on the student's ability to function in an academic environment.
- As indicated, documentation should discuss the impact of other treatments on the student's ability to function in an academic environment.
- In some circumstances it may be warranted to provide accommodations on a provisional basis; for example, if adequate documentation has not been received and it has been established that a student has a disability but more current information on functioning is needed. Such decisions are made at the discretion of the Office of Educational Affairs on a case-by-case basis.
Some information adopted from:
Gordon, M. & Keiser, S. (1998). Accommodations in Higher Education under the Americans with
Disabilities Act (ADA). New York: The Guilford Press.
Backlock, B., & Cooper, L. (2000, July). Psychiatric Disabilities: Obtaining Adequate Documentation and using it Effectively. Paper presented at the meeting of the Association on Higher Education and Disability, Kansas City, Missouri.
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Contact Information
Allison Leddy, Disability Specialist
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