Help -
Help for Webmasters
« back to results for ""
Below is a cache of http://www.uakron.edu/access/docs/StudentHandbook.pdf. It's a snapshot of the page taken as our search engine crawled the Web.
The web site itself may have changed. You can check the current page or check for previous versions at the Internet Archive. Yahoo! is not affiliated with the authors of this page or responsible for its content. Office of Accessibility Student Handbook Office Hours Fall and Spring Semester Summer Semester Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Wednesday Evening hours by appointment 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. The Office of Accessibility would like to welcome you to our office and to The University of Akron. We strive to provide students with disabilities equal access opportunities and pro- grams geared for academic success at The University of Akron. We have developed this handbook to familiarize you with our services and for your reference. If you have additional questions, please do not hesitate to contact the Access Office for further information. Welcome! Office of Accessibility Staff The staff at the Office of Accessibility strives to provide students with full access to and the opportunity for full participation in the academic environment at The University of Akron. We encourage you to contact us to find out more about our programs and services. Stacey J. Moore, Ph.D. Jason Maseberg-Tomlinson., M.S. Director Disability Specialist staceyjm@uakron.edu jtomlinson@uakron.edu Amy Liikala Conwi, M.Ed. Theresa Morrison, A.A.S Associate Director Administrative Assistant conwi@uakron.edu tamorri@uakron.edu Mara Byers, M.Ed., C.R.C. Leigh Beisler, B.A. Disability Specialist Administrative Assistant mbyers@uakron.edu lab10@uakron.edu Office of Accessibility Student Handbook Office of Accessibility Simmons Hall 105 Akron, OH 44325-6213 (330) 972-7928 (V) (330) 972-5764 (TDD) (330) 972-5422 (Fax) www.uakron.edu/access Contents: Mission, Federal Laws &
Registering with the
Office of Accessibility 2 Reasonable Accommo-
dations & Requesting
Accommodations 3 Using Accommodations
and Services 4 Academic Accommoda-
tions: Understanding
Your Rights and Respon- sibilities 4-8 Roles and Responsibili-
ties in the Accommoda-
tion Process 8-9 Suggestions for Meeting
with an Advisor & Forms 9 Maintenance and Disclo-
sure of Records & Provi-
sional Supports Policy 10 Temporary Medical
Conditions & Residence
Life and Housing Accom- modation Requests 11 Personal Care Assistance
Policy 11-12 Dispute Resolution
Procedures 12 The mission of the Office of Accessibility at The University of Akron is to provide students with full access to and
the opportunity for full participation in the academic environment. We are advocates of social justice for students
with disabilities and work to end oppression by examining the social, cultural, and institutional barriers to inclusion
of all students. We embrace the diversity of our student body and celebrate a culturally sensitive and accessible
campus through outreach, partnership, and advocacy with many university departments. In order to determine eligibility for services, you must first provide appropriate documentation of a disability to the
Office of Accessibility. You are encouraged to contact the Office of Accessibility early in the admissions process
to ensure that you have time to submit the necessary information. Services will be provided when documentation
has been submitted and approved for eligibility. This process involves the following steps: 1. Submit current documentation of your disability completed by a qualified professional. Office of Accessibility documentation guidelines are available upon request through our office or available at our website at www.uakron.edu/access . The definition of current documentation often varies with the specific disability. The symptoms and fea-
tures may change more frequently with some disabilities than others. For example, with a psychological
disability, current may mean within a few months, while with certain physical disabilities, like quadriple-
gia, the impact is somewhat stable and acceptable documentation may be older. 2. The Office of Accessibility will send you a letter acknowledging the receipt of your documentation. The letter will indicate your next step in the process. 3. That next step is to make an appointment with a disability specialist to discuss and determine reasonable aca- demic accommodations. Mission Statement How to Register with the Office of Accessibility Relevant Federal Laws Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
No otherwise qualified individual with a disabil-
ity in the United StatesShall, solely, by reason
of his or her disability, be excluded from the par-
ticipation in, be denied the benefits of, or be sub-
jected to discrimination under any program or
activity receiving Federal financial assistance. Title II of The Americans with Disabilities Act Subject to the provisions of this title, no quali-
fied individual with a disability shall, by reason of
such disability, be excluded from participation in
or be denied the benefits of the services, pro-
grams or activities of a public entity, or be sub-
jected to discrimination by such entity. In addition to the mission of the Office of Accessibility, the
following two directives from federal laws guide the efforts
at this office and the University of Akron to provide an ac-
cessible experience in higher education. The Rehabilita-
tion Act of 1973 prohibits discrimination on the basis of
disability in federally funded programs and activities. The
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 is a civil
rights law that prohibits discrimination against individuals
with disabilities in the areas of employment, state and lo-
cal government, public accommodations and services,
transportation, and telecommunications. College students with disabilities are covered in Title II of
the ADA. Students often experience a transition from the
provisions of the Individual with Disabilities Education Act
(IDEA) that guided their services in high school and the
federal guidelines of the Rehab Act of 1973 and ADA that
are relevant in higher education. Page 2 Student Handbook For eligible students, we encourage you to utilize the Access Office to the degree you feel is necessary and im-
portant. We do expect all students to demonstrate independent and self-motivated behavior. As a result, we
work with students to develop skills such as self-determination, assertiveness and effective problem-solving. We
are here to assist students and to advocate for them; and we expect students to be their own advocates. Please
feel free to contact us at anytime. Please note: For those eligible for services who have a dispute with a specific accommodation(s), see page 12, Dis-
pute Resolution Procedure for Determination of Reasonable Accommodations. For those not eligible for services, if you would like to appeal the decision, see page 12, Dispute Resolu-
tion Procedure for Eligibility for Services. After you have registered with this office and have met with your disability specialist, you will need to request ac-
commodation letters and services for each semester that you plan to use them. 1. Schedule your classes by meeting with your academic advisor or independently registering on-line, in person, or by telephone. We suggest you schedule as soon as possible. We also recommend you view the
Suggestions as you Prepare to Meet with your Academic Advisor handout on page 9. 2. Check to see if any of the accommodations that you are eligible for have request deadlines. Deadlines are located at www.uakron.edu/access or by calling our office. Many accommodations have deadlines in order to have sufficient time to coordinate your services. If you have any questions about these deadlines, contact
your disability specialist. Please note that if you miss a deadline, you will not be denied services, but your
accommodations may take significantly longer to implement. 3. Come to our office in Simmons Hall 105 and complete the Office of Accessibility Accommodation and Ser- vice Request Form which is available at the front desk or complete our online Accommodation and Service
Request Form at www.uakron.edu/access. Attach a copy of your schedule to the request form. Staff will be
happy to assist you when you are completing this form. If you request note takers or alternative media (ex. Books on CD) clearly mark for which classes you
are requesting this accommodation. If you request adaptive study strategies, you will be called at the start of the semester to set up weekly
appointments with a peer instructor. If you are taking intermediate algebra, mark the appropriate box on the form. This will allow our office to
contact the course coordinator to set up appropriate accommodations. 4. The office will verify your eligibility for the services you are requesting. Schedule Changes: If you change your schedule, it is your responsibility to fill out a new Accommodation and Service
Request form. We are unable to process requests for added classes or schedule changes unless you notify us. Requesting Accommodations and Services Each Semester What are Reasonable Accommodations? An accommodation is a modification that is made to a course, program, service, job, activity, or facility that is de-
signed to eliminate or minimize disability-related barriers. There may be many ways to accommodate a situation or activity. In order for an accommodation to be consid-
ered reasonable, however, it must meet four criteria: It must not compromise the essential requirements of a course, program, job, activity, or facility. It must not cause an undue administrative or financial hardship. It must not compromise safety to you or others. It must not fundamentally alter a course or program. Page 3 Student Handbook The accommodation and services you are eligible to receive are determined in your initial meeting with your dis-
ability specialist. Many accommodations have deadlines in order to have sufficient time to coordinate your ser-
vices. A reasonable good faith effort will be exercised by the Office of Accessibility to provide these accommoda-
tions, aids and services for eligible students. Please note this is not an inclusive list of accommodations available through our office. Accommodation Letters The accommodation letters are the formal description of the services and accommodations you will receive
through the Access Office. You must give the letters to your instructors if you intend to use the accommodations
in your class. These letters activate your accommodations. Student Responsibility: Request your letters and services no later than one week prior to the beginning of each semester by com-
pleting the Accommodation and Service Request Form. Give your letters to each of your instructors no later than the end of the second week of classes in a 15-week
session or its equivalent time frame for shorter sessions. Keep in mind that your accommodations are not
active until you deliver your accommodation letter to your instructor. Accommodations are NOT retroactive. This means that services and accommodations apply only from the
point at which the student delivers the accommodation letter to each instructor and communicates the desire
to use each of their approved accommodations. Students must also fulfill their responsibilities in implement-
ing their accommodations. Examples include: Students must request five days in advance for testing accommodations Students must use accommodations appropriately. Adaptive Study Strategies Program The Adaptive Study Strategies Program (ASSP) involves interactive learning sessions with you and a trained
peer instructor. The peer instructor will assist you in learning study strategies that are individualized to your
needs. The peer instructor will provide guidance on how to apply these methods to your academic coursework.
The goal is for you to learn and utilize independent study strategies and enhance your academic success. Student Responsibility: Call the Access Office if you are interested in participating in this program. We have a limited number of spots. The date of request will determine either an immediate as-
signment or a placement on the wait list. As an ASSP student, it is expected that you: Arrive promptly for each weekly appointment Remember to bring all necessary materials to each session to allow for effective meetings Complete all assignments from the previous ASSP meeting Academic Accommodations: Understanding Your Rights and Responsibilities Using Accommodations and Services Your steps: 1. Pick up your accommodation letters from the Office of Accessibility and review them.
2. Give your accommodation letters to your instructors during the first two weeks of the semester or an equiva- lent time frame in shorter sessions. We suggest that you discuss the accommodations you plan on using with
each instructor. 3. Take steps to implement your accommodations and maintain good communication with your instructor and with the Access Office. Page 4 Student Handbook Be prepared at each ASSP meeting to discuss what it was like for you to complete the assign-
ments/ recommendations from the last session Be thoughtful during the week in between study sessions about the new skills you are learning Participate in an interactive process with your mentor to better understand yourself and your aca-
demic needs or progress Challenge yourself to try new skills even if initially you think they wont work Incorporate information from your mentor and implement effective strategies in your academic
work Adaptive Technology The Office of Accessibility has the following forms of adaptive technology software available in our office lab: JAWS (Job Access With Speech): Screen reader. Dragon Naturally Speaking 7: Voice recognition program that "types" what you speak. ZoomText Xtra Level 2: Magnification and screen reading software. Read-n-Write: Word Processing Program that helps with written language. Inspiration: Graphical outliner/organizer that combines objected-oriented drawing with electronic outlin-
ing. Kurzweil 3000: Document reader and study aid. Student Responsibility: Schedule an appointment to discuss Adaptive Technology options that may be useful. Alternative Media Format Required course materials (books, course packets, readings) are prepared in one of the following ways: 1. Scanned into text files for use with a screen reader or magnifier
2. Scanned into Kurzweil format
3. Borrowed from RFBD as Daisy CDs
4. As Braille Students can meet with an Adaptive Technology staff member to determine which format best suits their needs. Student Responsibility: Purchase all of your textbooks in order to show proof of purchase at time alternative formats are picked
up. Request this accommodation six weeks prior to the start of the semester. If this deadline is missed, set up an individual meeting with the Adaptive Technology (AT) specialist or an
AT assistant to review your book list and develop a plan for your alternative text. In the case of course handout materials, the student is responsible for contacting the Office of Accessibil-
ity to arrange the scanning of handout materials. We recommend a three day notice on handout re-
quests. TIP: To meet these deadlines, come into the office with a schedule before Thanksgiving for Spring al-
ternative text and before May for Fall alternative text. Classroom Accommodation Our office works with students with mobility and other health related issues to ensure accessible classrooms.
Students need to request relocation of classes, seating accommodations, or a lock-in of classes (this ensures
that the classroom location does not change) by completing the Accommodation and Service Request Form. A
disability specialist will also be available for an individualized walk-through of academic classes upon request by
the student. Student Responsibility: Request at least two weeks prior to start of the semester. We will make a good faith effort to ensure an accessible environment, but specific accessible classrooms
may not be available after the deadline. Page 5 Student Handbook Equipment The Office of Accessibility has equipment that can be loaned from our office. The following is not an exhaustive
list: Tape recorders, Assistive Learning Devices, AlphaSmarts and Daisy players. Student Responsibility: A disability specialist will determine the students eligibility for a specific piece of equipment. We have
a limited supply of each type of equipment. The date of request will determine availability. Exam Accommodations There are several basic accommodations provided by our office regarding exams, They are as follows: extended
time, distraction reduced space, test proctors, use of technology on exams, and a reader and/or writer. You have three options available if you qualify for exam accommodations: 1. Take the exam with the class.
2. Take the exam with appropriate accommodations, by working with your instructor and agreeing on a time and place. 3. Schedule your exams at the Office of Accessibility if that is what is decided between you and your in- structor. Student Responsibility: Students need to inform their instructors five business days before each exam is scheduled that they
will be using their exam accommodations. If testing services are needed through the Office of Accessibility, we recommend you contact us five
business days prior to the exam to make arrangements. If you request an exam accommodation less than five business days before the exam, we will attempt to
coordinate exam accommodations, but can not guarantee this service. Computer Based Testing: Students who are taking exams at Computer Based Testing (CBT) must
confirm with the instructor at the beginning of the semester that they will be using their exam accommo-
dations to ensure that this has been communicated with CBT. Students who need distraction reduced
space for Computer Based Tests (CBT) must call CBT at 330-972-6511 to reserve the distraction re-
duced space testing room in Carroll Hall. Description of Specific Exam Accommodations:
The following is not an exhaustive list. Extended Time: Students who qualify for this accommodation will be allowed additional time on in-class ex-
ams. The specific amount of additional time depends upon the impact of the disability. Distraction Reduced Space: Students who qualify for this accommodation will be provided with a place to
complete their exams that is distraction reduced. We do not guarantee isolated space. Test Proctors: Proctors can be made available to administer exams at the instructors request. All testing
rooms are equipped with security cameras that record all activity in a room during a testing situation. Use of Technology: Students who qualify for this accommodation will be allowed to use technological devices
in class (i.e. laptops, computers, CCTV, adaptive software) as they relate to their disability. Reader Services: Readers will read exam questions. Readers can be asked to repeat information, so do not hesitate to ask. Readers will only read what is on the printed page and cannot be asked to clarify or reword statements. Readers need information from you to be effective. Let your reader know what reading tone, rate, etc.
works best for you. Page 6 Student Handbook Writer Services/Scribes: Scribes write down the students answers to exam questions. Scribes will write down verbatim what you have dictated. The scribe is not responsible for organizing or
paraphrasing your thoughts into a final draft. At any time, you will have the opportunity to review what the scribe has written either by reading or hav-
ing it read to you. If there are corrections, you will direct the scribe to make them. Internship/Co-op Accommodation Internship and/or co-op experiences are often very different than a typical classroom format and frequently in-
volve hands-on experiences. As a result, the type of academic accommodations that would be reasonable for
these experiences will often be different than those you have been using in the classroom setting. Student Responsibility: Meet with your Disability Specialist at least one month prior to the scheduled start date of your intern-
ship/co-op experience. Your disability specialist will consult with you, your department, and the on-site supervisor as needed to
determine and implement any modifications to your current accommodations. Accommodations are NOT retroactive . Note taking Note takers are students who are enrolled in the same class as you. Students requesting note takers must pre-
sent the note taker memo and accommodation letter to the instructor. The note taker memo explains to the instructor the process of identifying eligible note takers. It also includes an
anonymous announcement for the instructor to read to the class to recruit note takers. You should ask the in-
structor to read the memo explaining the note taker position. When a potential note taker from the class contacts
the Office of Accessibility, she/he will be hired as the note taker if the employment criteria are met. Steps:
1. You receive the note taker accommodation approved by a disability specialist in the Office of Accessibil- ity. 2. You request accommodation letters each semester. With the accommodation letters, you will also receive the Request for Assistance in Obtaining Note takers memo and Note taker Information (checklist). 3. Take the letters and memos to your instructors. Instructors will read the request aloud. Interested stu- dents in your class will go to the instructors, express their interest, and receive instructions to contact the
Office of Accessibility. 4. Potential note taker will go to Office of Accessibility and provide their information.
5. Note takers qualifications will be verified and note taker will be hired. If hired, the note taker will be given your contact information in order to arrange your delivery of notes. General Information: If by the end of the second week of class, no one has contacted you regarding being a note taker and
you still need a note taker, please contact our office. Students must attend class to receive notes. If there are problems with the notes (ex. quality, legibility), please discuss your concerns with your note
taker. If problems continue, contact the office and explain your situation. Page 7 Student Handbook Priority Registration This accommodation is used primarily for qualified students who need to select a specific time of day, sufficient
breaks between classes, or class locations that are in close proximity. This means that you can register for the
next semester's classes as soon as course registration begins. Student Responsibility: Research the classes being offered the next semester, considering your specific situation. Register for classes as soon as course registration begins, taking into consideration things such as time
of class, time in between classes and the location of the classroom. Please contact your disability specialist to discuss any concerns or questions you may have. Reader/Research Assistant This accommodation is utilized primarily by students with reading disabilities or who are visually impaired. The
number of hours a student will work with a reader/research assistant will be determined by their Disability Spe-
cialist. Student Responsibility: We recommend that you request this accommodation at least two weeks prior to the start of the semes-
ter. Sign Language Interpreters and Transcribers Sign Language Interpreters and Transcribers are available for academic purposes primarily for students with a
hearing loss or those who are Deaf. Student Responsibility: Long term requests for classes must be completed at least one month prior to the beginning of the se-
mester. One day requests must be completed at least five business days before the interpreter/transcriber is
needed. If a deadline is missed, the Office of Accessibility will attempt to secure interpreters/transcribers, but they
may not be available due to short notice or scheduling conflicts. Page 8 Student Handbook Roles and Responsibilities in the Accommodation Process In order for the accommodation process to proceed smoothly, all parties need to understand their roles and re-
sponsibilities. Students are responsible for: Providing the Office of Accessibility with timely and adequate documentation of your disability from an appropriate treatment professional. Keeping your disability specialist informed and providing updated documentation if your disability changes. Requesting accommodations each semester and as far ahead of time as possible. Some accommoda- tions cannot be effectively arranged if they are requested on short notice. Discussing accommodations with faculty and staff members as needed, especially when delivering ac- commodation letters from your disability specialist. If you have difficulty addressing their concerns or
questions, contact your disability specialist for assistance. Notifying your disability specialist if there are any concerns or difficulties with receiving accommodations. You and your disability specialist will then decide what the next steps should be. All personal-related services, such as individual therapy or personal care assistance for activities of daily living including, but not limited to toileting, showering, eating, sleeping, walking, dressing, grooming,
and personal hygiene. Please see the Personal Care Assistance Policy on page 11. Forms Your disability specialist is responsible for: Reviewing and explaining what documentation is needed to determine eligibility for services. Determining eligibility for individualized academic accommodations based on documentation. Discussing with you how your disability impacts you at the University, and informing you when additional documentation is needed. Helping you to identify reasonable accommodations Maintaining student files in a confidential manner. Writing individualized letters to faculty or staff members, identifying reasonable accommodations and why they are needed. Letters will detail who is responsible for specific parts of providing accommodations
and what to do if there are any concerns. Releasing disability-related information on a need-to-know basis to other University faculty and staff members. Faculty and staff are responsible for: Understanding accommodations recommended by the Office of Accessibility, and contacting the office if they think additional accommodations are needed. Contacting the Office of Accessibility or you if there are concerns or questions about accommodations and how they will be provided. Knowing the essential elements of a course or program. Page 9 Student Handbook We urge you to think about the following things before you meet with your academic advisor to discuss your
academic progress and specific schedule each semester. What are the specific effects of your disability and how do they impact your learning? Would you benefit by scheduling time between each of your classes rather than scheduling them back
to back? Do you need to take your classes at a certain time of day because of the effects of medications or other
reasons? Should you limit the number of heavy reading courses that you take at same time? Should you limit the number of math-related courses that you take at the same time? Should you limit the number of writing-intensive courses that you take at the same time? How might computer and web-based classes impact you? How important is the specific location of each of your classes? Does the effect of your disability impact whether you should be taking a full or part-time course load? After you have considered the way each of these issues may impact you, we suggest that you discuss all that
are relevant with your academic advisor prior to scheduling. Suggestions as You Prepare to Meet with Your Academic Advisor The following forms can be accessed and printed from our website at www.uakron.edu/access or requested by calling our office. Documentation Verification for a Cognitive/Learning Disability Documentation Verification for Physical Disabilities Documentation Verification for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Documentation Verification for Psychological Disabilities Guidelines for Students Using Sign Language Interpreters Interpreter/Transcriber Request Form Accommodation and Service Request Form Request for Release or Review of Information Determination of Reasonable Accommodations Appeal Form Disability-Related Housing Accommodation Request Form Page 10 Student Handbook Maintenance and Disclosure of Records of Disability Policy for Maintenance and Disclosure of Student Records Related to Disability The Office of Accessibility maintains records of a students disability according to the guidelines of the Family
Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). These records are maintained in the Office of Accessibility, sepa-
rately from the students academic records, which are maintained elsewhere in the institution (Registrar and/or
appropriate academic unit). Records received by the Office of Accessibility that appear to contain information
unrelated to the determination and provision of academic accommodations, auxiliary aids and services will be
returned to the provider. Information retained by the Office of Accessibility will be only that which is determined
to be related to the disability and provision of academic accommodations. Procedure to Request Release or Review of Student Records Related to Disability The student should request the release or review of the specific information by filling out the Office of Accessibil-
ity Request for Release or Review of Information form. The student may need to schedule an appointment to
meet with the appropriate disability specialist to release or review the requested information. Provisional Supports Policy The Office of Accessibility at The University of Akron provides academic accommodations to students with a dis-
ability that reflects a substantial limitation to a major life activity, e.g. learning. To ensure the provision of
reasonable and appropriate accommodations for our students, this office requires current and comprehensive
documentation of the disability from the appropriate diagnosing professional. Documentation for a disability must
adhere to the specific guidelines, which are available upon request. Occasionally, there may be individual cases
that warrant provisional supports for one semester. These supports allow for appropriate time, which is de-
fined as one academic semester or the Summer Sessions, for the student to obtain the complete documentation
to determine eligibility for services. The following are possible reasons that provisional supports may be consid-
ered. 1. Incomplete documentation When incomplete documentation is submitted to the Access Office at the beginning of a semester, provisional
supports may be issued for that semester only. Incomplete documentation is defined as documentation that does
not have all required information indicated on the Documentation Guidelines form. The student has the remain-
der of the semester to provide the missing information from the appropriate professional, which will complete the
documentation. Upon receipt of complete documentation by the Access Office, eligibility for services is deter-
mined on a case-by- case basis. 2. Not meeting current eligibility criteria When a Disability Specialist reviews the documentation of a student currently receiving accommodations and de-
termines that it does not meet current eligibility criteria, the student is informed that to continue services beyond
the immediate semester, a new assessment or further documentation must be submitted to determine eligibility
for future services through the Access Office. Provisional supports will be provided for the remainder of the se-
mester in which the inadequate or outdated documentation was identified. 3. Request for additional accommodation(s) Upon request for an additional accommodation, the Disability Specialist and the student must discuss if the ac-
commodation is reasonable and if the current documentation supports the new accommodation. If further docu-
mentation is needed to support the request for additional accommodation(s), a provisional support may be issued
for the current semester until the Access Office receives complete documentation. When the complete documen-
tation has been received and reviewed, the provisional support will be evaluated for approval as an additional
accommodation. The Disability Specialist may determine that provisional support(s) are not appropriate and no
changes will be made without supporting documentation. It is the sole discretion of the Access Office to decide who is eligible for provisional supports. Please note that
supports, even provisional ones, will not be provided in the absence of documentation. Page 11 Student Handbook Temporary Medical Conditions The Office of Accessibilitys mission is to provide accommodations for students with disabilities; however, when
resources are available we will attempt to support students who may experience temporary medical conditions
e.g. broken bones. Temporary Medical Conditions do not qualify as disabilities under ADA and 504. Possible supports may include
the use of a tape recorder in the classroom or a scribe for exams. For temporary mobility impairments, classroom
relocation may be an option. Contact our office for further information. Personal Care Assistance Policy The University of Akron does not provide services related to personal care assistance. It is the responsibility of
the student to provide for the cost and coordination of personal care assistance while attending and/or in resi-
dence at the University. Students are required to ensure that the appropriate amount of personal care is in place while attending the Uni-
versity of Akron. The University of Akron, Office of Accessibility may assist only in helping to advertise for per-
sonal care attendants if requested by the student. Please note that it is inappropriate to ask University of Akron
personnel to provide any level of personal care assistance related to any activity of daily living including, but not
limited to toileting, showering, eating, sleeping, walking, dressing, grooming, transfer in and out of a wheelchair
and personal hygiene. If a student in the residence halls, who requires personal care assistance, does not have an appropriate amount
of that assistance in place to the point where the University in its sole discretion determines that the students or
others health, safety and/or well-being is at risk, the student will be required to vacate the residence halls imme-
diately. As a student utilizing personal care assistance, these are your responsibilities: Direct the activities of the personal care attendant(s) (PCA) while at UA. The PCA is not permitted to do
academic work for a student and you will be held accountable via the Student Code of Conduct if you
receive inappropriate academic assistance from a PCA. Discuss your academic needs with your disabil-
ity specialist in the Office of Accessibility. Have a back-up plan or alternative plan of action should the regular PCA(s) not be available to work with
you on a particular day or in a particular class. Follow the UAs policies and abide by the OA Student Handbook and the UA code of conduct. Pay for and coordinate all PCA services, including, but not limited to housing and meal plans if living on
campus. Ensure that PCAs are aware of the PCA expectations in the OA student handbook (p.12) Residence Life and Housing Accommodation Requests Requests for accommodations related to University Residence Life and Housing should be submitted directly to
the Office of Accessibility, The University of Akron, Akron, OH 44325-6213. In order for accommodation requests
to be considered for housing assignments, students must submit documentation of a current impairment(s) that
substantially limits a major life activity. This documentation should be submitted directly to the Office of Accessi-
bility as soon as possible, preferably at the time the Housing Contract is submitted to University Residence Life
and Housing. The Office of Accessibility will determine if the current impairment qualifies under the Americans with Disabilities
Act and whether or not reasonable housing accommodations are warranted. Final decisions regarding specific
accommodations and how they will be implemented will be made after consultation between the Director of Resi-
dence Life and Housing and the Director of the Office of Accessibility or their designees. Page 12 Student Handbook Dispute Resolution Procedures for Eligibility for Services If a student wants to appeal a decision regarding eligibility for services based on the disability specialists review
of the documentation, the following procedure has been established. 1. Request an appointment to meet with the disability specialist who reviewed the documentation and made the original determination. If the concern cannot be resolved at this level, initiate Step 2. 2. Request an appointment to meet with the immediate supervisor of the disability specialist who reviewed the documentation originally. If after this meeting, the situation is not rectified to the students satisfaction,
initiate Step 3. 3. Request an appointment with the Vice President for Student Affairs or her/his designee. The Vice Presi- dent for Student Affairs (or designee) may consult other relevant professionals as needed to make the
decision. After this meeting if the situation is not rectified to the students satisfaction, initiate Step 4. 4. Request an appointment to meet with the Provost. The decision of the Provost is final. Dispute Resolution Procedures for Determination of Reasonable Accommodations If a student wants to appeal a decision regarding the determination of reasonable accommodations for his/her
documented disability, the following procedure has been established. 1. Request an appointment to meet with the disability specialist who reviewed the documentation and made the original determination. If the concern cannot be resolved at this level, initiate Step 2. 2. Request an appointment to meet with the immediate supervisor of the disability specialist. If, after this meeting the situation is not rectified to the students satisfaction, initiate Step 3. 3. Request a review by the Accommodations Review Committee of the accommodations determined by the disability specialist and the accommodations requested by the student. The Committee consists of the
following people: Disability specialist who recommended the original accommodation(s) Director of Office of Accessibility Vice President for Student Affairs or designee Academic Department/School representative and/or appropriate faculty member(s) Associate Dean of the appropriate academic unit (college) or designee If after this meeting, the situation is not rectified to the students satisfaction, initiate Step 4 4. Request an appointment to meet with the Provost. The decision of the Provost is final. To initiate a review by the Accommodations Review Committee, the student must complete the Dispute Resolu-
tion Procedure for Determination of Reasonable Accommodation Appeal Form and return it to the Director, Office
of Accessibility. The Appeal Form can be obtained from the Office of Accessibility or online at www.uakron.edu/access . A PCA is expected to: Follow all applicable UA policies, rules, regulations and procedures Assist the student before and after class but wait outside the classroom (unless PCA services are medi-
cally indicated inside the classroom) Allow the student to take responsibility for his/ her own progress/ behavior Refrain from contact with or asking questions of faculty, staff or others on behalf of the student Refrain from intervening in conversations between the student and faculty, staff or other students Refrain from discussing any confidential information about the student with faculty, staff or students Arrange and supply a criminal background check to comply with UA Residence Life and Housing policies Abide by all Residence Life and Housing policies Simmons Hall 105
Akron, OH 44325-6213 (330) 972-7928 (V)
(330) 972-5764 (TDD) (330) 972-5422 (FAX) www.uakron.edu/access
access@uakron.edu The Office of Accessibility provides reasonable accommodations and a supportive,
well-resourced environment to students with disabilities in order to promote student success in the university environment. This mission goes well beyond the legal re-
quirements, including Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Ameri- cans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, and supports the University's commitment to create an accessible and welcoming environment for all students. Office of Accessibility
The web site itself may have changed. You can check the current page or check for previous versions at the Internet Archive. Yahoo! is not affiliated with the authors of this page or responsible for its content. Office of Accessibility Student Handbook Office Hours Fall and Spring Semester Summer Semester Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Wednesday Evening hours by appointment 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. The Office of Accessibility would like to welcome you to our office and to The University of Akron. We strive to provide students with disabilities equal access opportunities and pro- grams geared for academic success at The University of Akron. We have developed this handbook to familiarize you with our services and for your reference. If you have additional questions, please do not hesitate to contact the Access Office for further information. Welcome! Office of Accessibility Staff The staff at the Office of Accessibility strives to provide students with full access to and the opportunity for full participation in the academic environment at The University of Akron. We encourage you to contact us to find out more about our programs and services. Stacey J. Moore, Ph.D. Jason Maseberg-Tomlinson., M.S. Director Disability Specialist staceyjm@uakron.edu jtomlinson@uakron.edu Amy Liikala Conwi, M.Ed. Theresa Morrison, A.A.S Associate Director Administrative Assistant conwi@uakron.edu tamorri@uakron.edu Mara Byers, M.Ed., C.R.C. Leigh Beisler, B.A. Disability Specialist Administrative Assistant mbyers@uakron.edu lab10@uakron.edu Office of Accessibility Student Handbook Office of Accessibility Simmons Hall 105 Akron, OH 44325-6213 (330) 972-7928 (V) (330) 972-5764 (TDD) (330) 972-5422 (Fax) www.uakron.edu/access Contents: Mission, Federal Laws &
Registering with the
Office of Accessibility 2 Reasonable Accommo-
dations & Requesting
Accommodations 3 Using Accommodations
and Services 4 Academic Accommoda-
tions: Understanding
Your Rights and Respon- sibilities 4-8 Roles and Responsibili-
ties in the Accommoda-
tion Process 8-9 Suggestions for Meeting
with an Advisor & Forms 9 Maintenance and Disclo-
sure of Records & Provi-
sional Supports Policy 10 Temporary Medical
Conditions & Residence
Life and Housing Accom- modation Requests 11 Personal Care Assistance
Policy 11-12 Dispute Resolution
Procedures 12 The mission of the Office of Accessibility at The University of Akron is to provide students with full access to and
the opportunity for full participation in the academic environment. We are advocates of social justice for students
with disabilities and work to end oppression by examining the social, cultural, and institutional barriers to inclusion
of all students. We embrace the diversity of our student body and celebrate a culturally sensitive and accessible
campus through outreach, partnership, and advocacy with many university departments. In order to determine eligibility for services, you must first provide appropriate documentation of a disability to the
Office of Accessibility. You are encouraged to contact the Office of Accessibility early in the admissions process
to ensure that you have time to submit the necessary information. Services will be provided when documentation
has been submitted and approved for eligibility. This process involves the following steps: 1. Submit current documentation of your disability completed by a qualified professional. Office of Accessibility documentation guidelines are available upon request through our office or available at our website at www.uakron.edu/access . The definition of current documentation often varies with the specific disability. The symptoms and fea-
tures may change more frequently with some disabilities than others. For example, with a psychological
disability, current may mean within a few months, while with certain physical disabilities, like quadriple-
gia, the impact is somewhat stable and acceptable documentation may be older. 2. The Office of Accessibility will send you a letter acknowledging the receipt of your documentation. The letter will indicate your next step in the process. 3. That next step is to make an appointment with a disability specialist to discuss and determine reasonable aca- demic accommodations. Mission Statement How to Register with the Office of Accessibility Relevant Federal Laws Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
No otherwise qualified individual with a disabil-
ity in the United StatesShall, solely, by reason
of his or her disability, be excluded from the par-
ticipation in, be denied the benefits of, or be sub-
jected to discrimination under any program or
activity receiving Federal financial assistance. Title II of The Americans with Disabilities Act Subject to the provisions of this title, no quali-
fied individual with a disability shall, by reason of
such disability, be excluded from participation in
or be denied the benefits of the services, pro-
grams or activities of a public entity, or be sub-
jected to discrimination by such entity. In addition to the mission of the Office of Accessibility, the
following two directives from federal laws guide the efforts
at this office and the University of Akron to provide an ac-
cessible experience in higher education. The Rehabilita-
tion Act of 1973 prohibits discrimination on the basis of
disability in federally funded programs and activities. The
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 is a civil
rights law that prohibits discrimination against individuals
with disabilities in the areas of employment, state and lo-
cal government, public accommodations and services,
transportation, and telecommunications. College students with disabilities are covered in Title II of
the ADA. Students often experience a transition from the
provisions of the Individual with Disabilities Education Act
(IDEA) that guided their services in high school and the
federal guidelines of the Rehab Act of 1973 and ADA that
are relevant in higher education. Page 2 Student Handbook For eligible students, we encourage you to utilize the Access Office to the degree you feel is necessary and im-
portant. We do expect all students to demonstrate independent and self-motivated behavior. As a result, we
work with students to develop skills such as self-determination, assertiveness and effective problem-solving. We
are here to assist students and to advocate for them; and we expect students to be their own advocates. Please
feel free to contact us at anytime. Please note: For those eligible for services who have a dispute with a specific accommodation(s), see page 12, Dis-
pute Resolution Procedure for Determination of Reasonable Accommodations. For those not eligible for services, if you would like to appeal the decision, see page 12, Dispute Resolu-
tion Procedure for Eligibility for Services. After you have registered with this office and have met with your disability specialist, you will need to request ac-
commodation letters and services for each semester that you plan to use them. 1. Schedule your classes by meeting with your academic advisor or independently registering on-line, in person, or by telephone. We suggest you schedule as soon as possible. We also recommend you view the
Suggestions as you Prepare to Meet with your Academic Advisor handout on page 9. 2. Check to see if any of the accommodations that you are eligible for have request deadlines. Deadlines are located at www.uakron.edu/access or by calling our office. Many accommodations have deadlines in order to have sufficient time to coordinate your services. If you have any questions about these deadlines, contact
your disability specialist. Please note that if you miss a deadline, you will not be denied services, but your
accommodations may take significantly longer to implement. 3. Come to our office in Simmons Hall 105 and complete the Office of Accessibility Accommodation and Ser- vice Request Form which is available at the front desk or complete our online Accommodation and Service
Request Form at www.uakron.edu/access. Attach a copy of your schedule to the request form. Staff will be
happy to assist you when you are completing this form. If you request note takers or alternative media (ex. Books on CD) clearly mark for which classes you
are requesting this accommodation. If you request adaptive study strategies, you will be called at the start of the semester to set up weekly
appointments with a peer instructor. If you are taking intermediate algebra, mark the appropriate box on the form. This will allow our office to
contact the course coordinator to set up appropriate accommodations. 4. The office will verify your eligibility for the services you are requesting. Schedule Changes: If you change your schedule, it is your responsibility to fill out a new Accommodation and Service
Request form. We are unable to process requests for added classes or schedule changes unless you notify us. Requesting Accommodations and Services Each Semester What are Reasonable Accommodations? An accommodation is a modification that is made to a course, program, service, job, activity, or facility that is de-
signed to eliminate or minimize disability-related barriers. There may be many ways to accommodate a situation or activity. In order for an accommodation to be consid-
ered reasonable, however, it must meet four criteria: It must not compromise the essential requirements of a course, program, job, activity, or facility. It must not cause an undue administrative or financial hardship. It must not compromise safety to you or others. It must not fundamentally alter a course or program. Page 3 Student Handbook The accommodation and services you are eligible to receive are determined in your initial meeting with your dis-
ability specialist. Many accommodations have deadlines in order to have sufficient time to coordinate your ser-
vices. A reasonable good faith effort will be exercised by the Office of Accessibility to provide these accommoda-
tions, aids and services for eligible students. Please note this is not an inclusive list of accommodations available through our office. Accommodation Letters The accommodation letters are the formal description of the services and accommodations you will receive
through the Access Office. You must give the letters to your instructors if you intend to use the accommodations
in your class. These letters activate your accommodations. Student Responsibility: Request your letters and services no later than one week prior to the beginning of each semester by com-
pleting the Accommodation and Service Request Form. Give your letters to each of your instructors no later than the end of the second week of classes in a 15-week
session or its equivalent time frame for shorter sessions. Keep in mind that your accommodations are not
active until you deliver your accommodation letter to your instructor. Accommodations are NOT retroactive. This means that services and accommodations apply only from the
point at which the student delivers the accommodation letter to each instructor and communicates the desire
to use each of their approved accommodations. Students must also fulfill their responsibilities in implement-
ing their accommodations. Examples include: Students must request five days in advance for testing accommodations Students must use accommodations appropriately. Adaptive Study Strategies Program The Adaptive Study Strategies Program (ASSP) involves interactive learning sessions with you and a trained
peer instructor. The peer instructor will assist you in learning study strategies that are individualized to your
needs. The peer instructor will provide guidance on how to apply these methods to your academic coursework.
The goal is for you to learn and utilize independent study strategies and enhance your academic success. Student Responsibility: Call the Access Office if you are interested in participating in this program. We have a limited number of spots. The date of request will determine either an immediate as-
signment or a placement on the wait list. As an ASSP student, it is expected that you: Arrive promptly for each weekly appointment Remember to bring all necessary materials to each session to allow for effective meetings Complete all assignments from the previous ASSP meeting Academic Accommodations: Understanding Your Rights and Responsibilities Using Accommodations and Services Your steps: 1. Pick up your accommodation letters from the Office of Accessibility and review them.
2. Give your accommodation letters to your instructors during the first two weeks of the semester or an equiva- lent time frame in shorter sessions. We suggest that you discuss the accommodations you plan on using with
each instructor. 3. Take steps to implement your accommodations and maintain good communication with your instructor and with the Access Office. Page 4 Student Handbook Be prepared at each ASSP meeting to discuss what it was like for you to complete the assign-
ments/ recommendations from the last session Be thoughtful during the week in between study sessions about the new skills you are learning Participate in an interactive process with your mentor to better understand yourself and your aca-
demic needs or progress Challenge yourself to try new skills even if initially you think they wont work Incorporate information from your mentor and implement effective strategies in your academic
work Adaptive Technology The Office of Accessibility has the following forms of adaptive technology software available in our office lab: JAWS (Job Access With Speech): Screen reader. Dragon Naturally Speaking 7: Voice recognition program that "types" what you speak. ZoomText Xtra Level 2: Magnification and screen reading software. Read-n-Write: Word Processing Program that helps with written language. Inspiration: Graphical outliner/organizer that combines objected-oriented drawing with electronic outlin-
ing. Kurzweil 3000: Document reader and study aid. Student Responsibility: Schedule an appointment to discuss Adaptive Technology options that may be useful. Alternative Media Format Required course materials (books, course packets, readings) are prepared in one of the following ways: 1. Scanned into text files for use with a screen reader or magnifier
2. Scanned into Kurzweil format
3. Borrowed from RFBD as Daisy CDs
4. As Braille Students can meet with an Adaptive Technology staff member to determine which format best suits their needs. Student Responsibility: Purchase all of your textbooks in order to show proof of purchase at time alternative formats are picked
up. Request this accommodation six weeks prior to the start of the semester. If this deadline is missed, set up an individual meeting with the Adaptive Technology (AT) specialist or an
AT assistant to review your book list and develop a plan for your alternative text. In the case of course handout materials, the student is responsible for contacting the Office of Accessibil-
ity to arrange the scanning of handout materials. We recommend a three day notice on handout re-
quests. TIP: To meet these deadlines, come into the office with a schedule before Thanksgiving for Spring al-
ternative text and before May for Fall alternative text. Classroom Accommodation Our office works with students with mobility and other health related issues to ensure accessible classrooms.
Students need to request relocation of classes, seating accommodations, or a lock-in of classes (this ensures
that the classroom location does not change) by completing the Accommodation and Service Request Form. A
disability specialist will also be available for an individualized walk-through of academic classes upon request by
the student. Student Responsibility: Request at least two weeks prior to start of the semester. We will make a good faith effort to ensure an accessible environment, but specific accessible classrooms
may not be available after the deadline. Page 5 Student Handbook Equipment The Office of Accessibility has equipment that can be loaned from our office. The following is not an exhaustive
list: Tape recorders, Assistive Learning Devices, AlphaSmarts and Daisy players. Student Responsibility: A disability specialist will determine the students eligibility for a specific piece of equipment. We have
a limited supply of each type of equipment. The date of request will determine availability. Exam Accommodations There are several basic accommodations provided by our office regarding exams, They are as follows: extended
time, distraction reduced space, test proctors, use of technology on exams, and a reader and/or writer. You have three options available if you qualify for exam accommodations: 1. Take the exam with the class.
2. Take the exam with appropriate accommodations, by working with your instructor and agreeing on a time and place. 3. Schedule your exams at the Office of Accessibility if that is what is decided between you and your in- structor. Student Responsibility: Students need to inform their instructors five business days before each exam is scheduled that they
will be using their exam accommodations. If testing services are needed through the Office of Accessibility, we recommend you contact us five
business days prior to the exam to make arrangements. If you request an exam accommodation less than five business days before the exam, we will attempt to
coordinate exam accommodations, but can not guarantee this service. Computer Based Testing: Students who are taking exams at Computer Based Testing (CBT) must
confirm with the instructor at the beginning of the semester that they will be using their exam accommo-
dations to ensure that this has been communicated with CBT. Students who need distraction reduced
space for Computer Based Tests (CBT) must call CBT at 330-972-6511 to reserve the distraction re-
duced space testing room in Carroll Hall. Description of Specific Exam Accommodations:
The following is not an exhaustive list. Extended Time: Students who qualify for this accommodation will be allowed additional time on in-class ex-
ams. The specific amount of additional time depends upon the impact of the disability. Distraction Reduced Space: Students who qualify for this accommodation will be provided with a place to
complete their exams that is distraction reduced. We do not guarantee isolated space. Test Proctors: Proctors can be made available to administer exams at the instructors request. All testing
rooms are equipped with security cameras that record all activity in a room during a testing situation. Use of Technology: Students who qualify for this accommodation will be allowed to use technological devices
in class (i.e. laptops, computers, CCTV, adaptive software) as they relate to their disability. Reader Services: Readers will read exam questions. Readers can be asked to repeat information, so do not hesitate to ask. Readers will only read what is on the printed page and cannot be asked to clarify or reword statements. Readers need information from you to be effective. Let your reader know what reading tone, rate, etc.
works best for you. Page 6 Student Handbook Writer Services/Scribes: Scribes write down the students answers to exam questions. Scribes will write down verbatim what you have dictated. The scribe is not responsible for organizing or
paraphrasing your thoughts into a final draft. At any time, you will have the opportunity to review what the scribe has written either by reading or hav-
ing it read to you. If there are corrections, you will direct the scribe to make them. Internship/Co-op Accommodation Internship and/or co-op experiences are often very different than a typical classroom format and frequently in-
volve hands-on experiences. As a result, the type of academic accommodations that would be reasonable for
these experiences will often be different than those you have been using in the classroom setting. Student Responsibility: Meet with your Disability Specialist at least one month prior to the scheduled start date of your intern-
ship/co-op experience. Your disability specialist will consult with you, your department, and the on-site supervisor as needed to
determine and implement any modifications to your current accommodations. Accommodations are NOT retroactive . Note taking Note takers are students who are enrolled in the same class as you. Students requesting note takers must pre-
sent the note taker memo and accommodation letter to the instructor. The note taker memo explains to the instructor the process of identifying eligible note takers. It also includes an
anonymous announcement for the instructor to read to the class to recruit note takers. You should ask the in-
structor to read the memo explaining the note taker position. When a potential note taker from the class contacts
the Office of Accessibility, she/he will be hired as the note taker if the employment criteria are met. Steps:
1. You receive the note taker accommodation approved by a disability specialist in the Office of Accessibil- ity. 2. You request accommodation letters each semester. With the accommodation letters, you will also receive the Request for Assistance in Obtaining Note takers memo and Note taker Information (checklist). 3. Take the letters and memos to your instructors. Instructors will read the request aloud. Interested stu- dents in your class will go to the instructors, express their interest, and receive instructions to contact the
Office of Accessibility. 4. Potential note taker will go to Office of Accessibility and provide their information.
5. Note takers qualifications will be verified and note taker will be hired. If hired, the note taker will be given your contact information in order to arrange your delivery of notes. General Information: If by the end of the second week of class, no one has contacted you regarding being a note taker and
you still need a note taker, please contact our office. Students must attend class to receive notes. If there are problems with the notes (ex. quality, legibility), please discuss your concerns with your note
taker. If problems continue, contact the office and explain your situation. Page 7 Student Handbook Priority Registration This accommodation is used primarily for qualified students who need to select a specific time of day, sufficient
breaks between classes, or class locations that are in close proximity. This means that you can register for the
next semester's classes as soon as course registration begins. Student Responsibility: Research the classes being offered the next semester, considering your specific situation. Register for classes as soon as course registration begins, taking into consideration things such as time
of class, time in between classes and the location of the classroom. Please contact your disability specialist to discuss any concerns or questions you may have. Reader/Research Assistant This accommodation is utilized primarily by students with reading disabilities or who are visually impaired. The
number of hours a student will work with a reader/research assistant will be determined by their Disability Spe-
cialist. Student Responsibility: We recommend that you request this accommodation at least two weeks prior to the start of the semes-
ter. Sign Language Interpreters and Transcribers Sign Language Interpreters and Transcribers are available for academic purposes primarily for students with a
hearing loss or those who are Deaf. Student Responsibility: Long term requests for classes must be completed at least one month prior to the beginning of the se-
mester. One day requests must be completed at least five business days before the interpreter/transcriber is
needed. If a deadline is missed, the Office of Accessibility will attempt to secure interpreters/transcribers, but they
may not be available due to short notice or scheduling conflicts. Page 8 Student Handbook Roles and Responsibilities in the Accommodation Process In order for the accommodation process to proceed smoothly, all parties need to understand their roles and re-
sponsibilities. Students are responsible for: Providing the Office of Accessibility with timely and adequate documentation of your disability from an appropriate treatment professional. Keeping your disability specialist informed and providing updated documentation if your disability changes. Requesting accommodations each semester and as far ahead of time as possible. Some accommoda- tions cannot be effectively arranged if they are requested on short notice. Discussing accommodations with faculty and staff members as needed, especially when delivering ac- commodation letters from your disability specialist. If you have difficulty addressing their concerns or
questions, contact your disability specialist for assistance. Notifying your disability specialist if there are any concerns or difficulties with receiving accommodations. You and your disability specialist will then decide what the next steps should be. All personal-related services, such as individual therapy or personal care assistance for activities of daily living including, but not limited to toileting, showering, eating, sleeping, walking, dressing, grooming,
and personal hygiene. Please see the Personal Care Assistance Policy on page 11. Forms Your disability specialist is responsible for: Reviewing and explaining what documentation is needed to determine eligibility for services. Determining eligibility for individualized academic accommodations based on documentation. Discussing with you how your disability impacts you at the University, and informing you when additional documentation is needed. Helping you to identify reasonable accommodations Maintaining student files in a confidential manner. Writing individualized letters to faculty or staff members, identifying reasonable accommodations and why they are needed. Letters will detail who is responsible for specific parts of providing accommodations
and what to do if there are any concerns. Releasing disability-related information on a need-to-know basis to other University faculty and staff members. Faculty and staff are responsible for: Understanding accommodations recommended by the Office of Accessibility, and contacting the office if they think additional accommodations are needed. Contacting the Office of Accessibility or you if there are concerns or questions about accommodations and how they will be provided. Knowing the essential elements of a course or program. Page 9 Student Handbook We urge you to think about the following things before you meet with your academic advisor to discuss your
academic progress and specific schedule each semester. What are the specific effects of your disability and how do they impact your learning? Would you benefit by scheduling time between each of your classes rather than scheduling them back
to back? Do you need to take your classes at a certain time of day because of the effects of medications or other
reasons? Should you limit the number of heavy reading courses that you take at same time? Should you limit the number of math-related courses that you take at the same time? Should you limit the number of writing-intensive courses that you take at the same time? How might computer and web-based classes impact you? How important is the specific location of each of your classes? Does the effect of your disability impact whether you should be taking a full or part-time course load? After you have considered the way each of these issues may impact you, we suggest that you discuss all that
are relevant with your academic advisor prior to scheduling. Suggestions as You Prepare to Meet with Your Academic Advisor The following forms can be accessed and printed from our website at www.uakron.edu/access or requested by calling our office. Documentation Verification for a Cognitive/Learning Disability Documentation Verification for Physical Disabilities Documentation Verification for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Documentation Verification for Psychological Disabilities Guidelines for Students Using Sign Language Interpreters Interpreter/Transcriber Request Form Accommodation and Service Request Form Request for Release or Review of Information Determination of Reasonable Accommodations Appeal Form Disability-Related Housing Accommodation Request Form Page 10 Student Handbook Maintenance and Disclosure of Records of Disability Policy for Maintenance and Disclosure of Student Records Related to Disability The Office of Accessibility maintains records of a students disability according to the guidelines of the Family
Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). These records are maintained in the Office of Accessibility, sepa-
rately from the students academic records, which are maintained elsewhere in the institution (Registrar and/or
appropriate academic unit). Records received by the Office of Accessibility that appear to contain information
unrelated to the determination and provision of academic accommodations, auxiliary aids and services will be
returned to the provider. Information retained by the Office of Accessibility will be only that which is determined
to be related to the disability and provision of academic accommodations. Procedure to Request Release or Review of Student Records Related to Disability The student should request the release or review of the specific information by filling out the Office of Accessibil-
ity Request for Release or Review of Information form. The student may need to schedule an appointment to
meet with the appropriate disability specialist to release or review the requested information. Provisional Supports Policy The Office of Accessibility at The University of Akron provides academic accommodations to students with a dis-
ability that reflects a substantial limitation to a major life activity, e.g. learning. To ensure the provision of
reasonable and appropriate accommodations for our students, this office requires current and comprehensive
documentation of the disability from the appropriate diagnosing professional. Documentation for a disability must
adhere to the specific guidelines, which are available upon request. Occasionally, there may be individual cases
that warrant provisional supports for one semester. These supports allow for appropriate time, which is de-
fined as one academic semester or the Summer Sessions, for the student to obtain the complete documentation
to determine eligibility for services. The following are possible reasons that provisional supports may be consid-
ered. 1. Incomplete documentation When incomplete documentation is submitted to the Access Office at the beginning of a semester, provisional
supports may be issued for that semester only. Incomplete documentation is defined as documentation that does
not have all required information indicated on the Documentation Guidelines form. The student has the remain-
der of the semester to provide the missing information from the appropriate professional, which will complete the
documentation. Upon receipt of complete documentation by the Access Office, eligibility for services is deter-
mined on a case-by- case basis. 2. Not meeting current eligibility criteria When a Disability Specialist reviews the documentation of a student currently receiving accommodations and de-
termines that it does not meet current eligibility criteria, the student is informed that to continue services beyond
the immediate semester, a new assessment or further documentation must be submitted to determine eligibility
for future services through the Access Office. Provisional supports will be provided for the remainder of the se-
mester in which the inadequate or outdated documentation was identified. 3. Request for additional accommodation(s) Upon request for an additional accommodation, the Disability Specialist and the student must discuss if the ac-
commodation is reasonable and if the current documentation supports the new accommodation. If further docu-
mentation is needed to support the request for additional accommodation(s), a provisional support may be issued
for the current semester until the Access Office receives complete documentation. When the complete documen-
tation has been received and reviewed, the provisional support will be evaluated for approval as an additional
accommodation. The Disability Specialist may determine that provisional support(s) are not appropriate and no
changes will be made without supporting documentation. It is the sole discretion of the Access Office to decide who is eligible for provisional supports. Please note that
supports, even provisional ones, will not be provided in the absence of documentation. Page 11 Student Handbook Temporary Medical Conditions The Office of Accessibilitys mission is to provide accommodations for students with disabilities; however, when
resources are available we will attempt to support students who may experience temporary medical conditions
e.g. broken bones. Temporary Medical Conditions do not qualify as disabilities under ADA and 504. Possible supports may include
the use of a tape recorder in the classroom or a scribe for exams. For temporary mobility impairments, classroom
relocation may be an option. Contact our office for further information. Personal Care Assistance Policy The University of Akron does not provide services related to personal care assistance. It is the responsibility of
the student to provide for the cost and coordination of personal care assistance while attending and/or in resi-
dence at the University. Students are required to ensure that the appropriate amount of personal care is in place while attending the Uni-
versity of Akron. The University of Akron, Office of Accessibility may assist only in helping to advertise for per-
sonal care attendants if requested by the student. Please note that it is inappropriate to ask University of Akron
personnel to provide any level of personal care assistance related to any activity of daily living including, but not
limited to toileting, showering, eating, sleeping, walking, dressing, grooming, transfer in and out of a wheelchair
and personal hygiene. If a student in the residence halls, who requires personal care assistance, does not have an appropriate amount
of that assistance in place to the point where the University in its sole discretion determines that the students or
others health, safety and/or well-being is at risk, the student will be required to vacate the residence halls imme-
diately. As a student utilizing personal care assistance, these are your responsibilities: Direct the activities of the personal care attendant(s) (PCA) while at UA. The PCA is not permitted to do
academic work for a student and you will be held accountable via the Student Code of Conduct if you
receive inappropriate academic assistance from a PCA. Discuss your academic needs with your disabil-
ity specialist in the Office of Accessibility. Have a back-up plan or alternative plan of action should the regular PCA(s) not be available to work with
you on a particular day or in a particular class. Follow the UAs policies and abide by the OA Student Handbook and the UA code of conduct. Pay for and coordinate all PCA services, including, but not limited to housing and meal plans if living on
campus. Ensure that PCAs are aware of the PCA expectations in the OA student handbook (p.12) Residence Life and Housing Accommodation Requests Requests for accommodations related to University Residence Life and Housing should be submitted directly to
the Office of Accessibility, The University of Akron, Akron, OH 44325-6213. In order for accommodation requests
to be considered for housing assignments, students must submit documentation of a current impairment(s) that
substantially limits a major life activity. This documentation should be submitted directly to the Office of Accessi-
bility as soon as possible, preferably at the time the Housing Contract is submitted to University Residence Life
and Housing. The Office of Accessibility will determine if the current impairment qualifies under the Americans with Disabilities
Act and whether or not reasonable housing accommodations are warranted. Final decisions regarding specific
accommodations and how they will be implemented will be made after consultation between the Director of Resi-
dence Life and Housing and the Director of the Office of Accessibility or their designees. Page 12 Student Handbook Dispute Resolution Procedures for Eligibility for Services If a student wants to appeal a decision regarding eligibility for services based on the disability specialists review
of the documentation, the following procedure has been established. 1. Request an appointment to meet with the disability specialist who reviewed the documentation and made the original determination. If the concern cannot be resolved at this level, initiate Step 2. 2. Request an appointment to meet with the immediate supervisor of the disability specialist who reviewed the documentation originally. If after this meeting, the situation is not rectified to the students satisfaction,
initiate Step 3. 3. Request an appointment with the Vice President for Student Affairs or her/his designee. The Vice Presi- dent for Student Affairs (or designee) may consult other relevant professionals as needed to make the
decision. After this meeting if the situation is not rectified to the students satisfaction, initiate Step 4. 4. Request an appointment to meet with the Provost. The decision of the Provost is final. Dispute Resolution Procedures for Determination of Reasonable Accommodations If a student wants to appeal a decision regarding the determination of reasonable accommodations for his/her
documented disability, the following procedure has been established. 1. Request an appointment to meet with the disability specialist who reviewed the documentation and made the original determination. If the concern cannot be resolved at this level, initiate Step 2. 2. Request an appointment to meet with the immediate supervisor of the disability specialist. If, after this meeting the situation is not rectified to the students satisfaction, initiate Step 3. 3. Request a review by the Accommodations Review Committee of the accommodations determined by the disability specialist and the accommodations requested by the student. The Committee consists of the
following people: Disability specialist who recommended the original accommodation(s) Director of Office of Accessibility Vice President for Student Affairs or designee Academic Department/School representative and/or appropriate faculty member(s) Associate Dean of the appropriate academic unit (college) or designee If after this meeting, the situation is not rectified to the students satisfaction, initiate Step 4 4. Request an appointment to meet with the Provost. The decision of the Provost is final. To initiate a review by the Accommodations Review Committee, the student must complete the Dispute Resolu-
tion Procedure for Determination of Reasonable Accommodation Appeal Form and return it to the Director, Office
of Accessibility. The Appeal Form can be obtained from the Office of Accessibility or online at www.uakron.edu/access . A PCA is expected to: Follow all applicable UA policies, rules, regulations and procedures Assist the student before and after class but wait outside the classroom (unless PCA services are medi-
cally indicated inside the classroom) Allow the student to take responsibility for his/ her own progress/ behavior Refrain from contact with or asking questions of faculty, staff or others on behalf of the student Refrain from intervening in conversations between the student and faculty, staff or other students Refrain from discussing any confidential information about the student with faculty, staff or students Arrange and supply a criminal background check to comply with UA Residence Life and Housing policies Abide by all Residence Life and Housing policies Simmons Hall 105
Akron, OH 44325-6213 (330) 972-7928 (V)
(330) 972-5764 (TDD) (330) 972-5422 (FAX) www.uakron.edu/access
access@uakron.edu The Office of Accessibility provides reasonable accommodations and a supportive,
well-resourced environment to students with disabilities in order to promote student success in the university environment. This mission goes well beyond the legal re-
quirements, including Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Ameri- cans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, and supports the University's commitment to create an accessible and welcoming environment for all students. Office of Accessibility
