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CHAPTER SIX: 6400 OTHER GENERAL INSTITUTIONAL POLICIES December 2004 6400 ACADEMIC ADJUSTMENT AND ACCOMMODATION FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES PREAMBLE: This section outlines the responsibilities of the university and of its students in creating appropriate academic adjustments and accommodations for students with disabilities. The policy was first introduced to the Handbook in July, 1996. For further information, contact the Coordinator of Disability Support Services (208-885-7200) [ed. 12-04]. CONTENTS: B. Rights and Obligations of the University D. Appeals of Academic Adjustments and Accommodations A. POLICY. The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended (Section 504) prohibit discrimination on the basis of disability. No qualified individual with a disability shall, on the basis of such disability, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or otherwise be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity provided, sponsored, offered, or required by the University of Idaho. The university shall operate its programs and activities in the most integrated setting appropriate. This policy is issued in compliance with the ADA and Section 504 and is intended and shall be construed to afford the protections and rights provided by those laws. B. RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE UNIVERSITY. B-1. The university will operate each service, program, or activity so that the service, program, or activity, when viewed in its entirety, is readily accessible to and usable by individuals with disabilities. a. The university will make such reasonable modifications to its academic requirements as are necessary to ensure that such requirements do not discriminate, or have the effect of discriminating, on the basis of disability, against a qualified student with a disability. Modifications to its academic requirements may include changes in the length of time permitted for the completion of degree requirements, alternate testing methods, substitution of specific courses required for the completion of degree requirements, and adaptation of the manner in which specific courses are conducted. b. In addition, the university will take such steps as are necessary to ensure that no qualified student with a disability is denied the benefits of, excluded from participation in, or otherwise subjected to discrimination under the education programs or activities operated by the university because of the absence of educational auxiliary aids for students with impaired sensory, manual, or speaking skills. Auxiliary aids or services may include texts in alternate format, interpreters or other effective methods of making orally delivered materials available to students with hearing impairments, classroom equipment adapted for use by students with manual impairments, and other similar services and actions. The university need not provide attendants, individually prescribed devices, readers for personal use or study, or other devices or services of a personal nature. [rev. 12/04]
C. OBLIGATIONS OF STUDENTS. Students who have a disability are responsible for requesting modifications to academic requirements, educational auxiliary aids, and other disability-related services in a timely manner. C-1. In making such requests, a student will provide in a timely manner written documentation from a licensed physician, psychologist, or health care professional of the nature and extent of the student's disability and the functional limitations it imposes (in an academic setting), as well as suggestions for modifications to academic requirements and appropriate educational auxiliary aids, to Disability Support Services. Because some services may require extensive time to arrange, these offices should receive such requests at least six weeks prior to the beginning of the semester during which the modification, aid, or service will be needed. Students must recognize that lack of sufficient advance notice may delay the availability of the modification, aid, or service. [ed. 12/04] C-2. A student must provide such additional documentation as the university may reasonably require to determine the nature and extent of the disability, the functional limitations it imposes, and the appropriateness of the modifications, aids, and services requested. C-3. A student seeking modifications to academic requirements or auxiliary aids or services is expected to actively participate with the university in identifying the most appropriate modification, aid or service, and to maintain contact in a timely manner with the offices that are attempting to provide assistance. C-4. A student is to promptly notify the Disability Support Services of any problems in receiving agreed-upon modifications, aids, or services. [ed. 12/04] C-5. A hold may be made on a student's academic record for outstanding equipment that has been loaned. [add. 12-04] D. APPEALS OF ACADEMIC ADJUSTMENTS AND ACCOMMODATIONS. If a student has concerns or complaints about the university's compliance with this policy in regard to educational auxiliary aids or other services, the student is to first contact the Disability Support Services Coordinator who will make a decision. This decision may be appealed to the Dean of Students. If a student has concerns or complaints about modifications to academic requirements, the student is to first contact the administrator of the academic department involved who will make a decision. This decision may be appealed to the dean of the college. [ed 7-97, 12-04]
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