​Accessibility​​​ Accommodations

In pursuit of its mission and in accordance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990*, Saybrook University is committed to providing qualified students with disabilities equal access to academic courses, programs, and school activities.                       ​

Students with disabilities have the right t​o:

• Equal access to courses, programs, services, on-campus jobs, and activities offered by the school;
• Equal opportunity to learn and receive reasonable accommodations to ensure that they have the opportunity to succeed equal to that of all other students at the school;
• Confidentiality of information regarding their disability as applicable laws allow;
• Self-determine who will receive student-released, disability-related materials and information within and outside the school; and
• All rights and privileges available to other students at Saybrook University.

Students with disabilities have the responsibility to:

• Meet qualifications and maintain essential institutional standards for courses, programs, services, and activities;
• Self-identify as an individual with a disability when an accommodation is needed and to seek information, counsel, and assistance as necessary in a timely manner (preferably before the start of the term);
• Provide current documentation at their own expense from a qualified professional that reflects the student's current disability status, and how the disability limits participation in courses, programs, services, activities, and recommended accommodations;
• Follow published procedures for obtaining reasonable accommodations, academic adjustments, and/or auxiliary aids and services;
• Immediately report any problems or concerns associated with granted accommodations;
• Provide updated information to the ADA Coordinator should his/her needs change; and
• Provide for his/her own independent living needs or other personal needs related to a disability (i.e., personal care attendants).​
  
  

​​Establishing accommodations

Frequently Asked Questions

*The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 prohibit discrimination on the basis of disability and require that reasonable accommodations be provided to all qualified students with disabilities in all programs and activities within the control of the institution, provided such accommodations would not impose an undue burden on the school and/or fundamentally alter the nature of the service, program or activity provided. Determination of reasonable accommodations and compliance with ADA and Rehabilitation Act for students are managed by campus administration. No student shall be retaliated against for seeking accommodation under this policy. ​

1. Who do I contact with questions I may have pertaining to disability related issues?

Saybrook University provides support services for students with disabilities coordinated through the Office of Student Affairs: [email protected]​.

2. Do I have to inform Saybrook University that I have a disability?

No. However, if you require an academic adjustment or disability services, you must identify yourself to Saybrook as having a disability. Likewise, you should inform the school about your disability if you want to ensure that you are assigned to accessible facilities and provided appropriate services. Disclosing a disability is always voluntary. Please note that accommodations are not retroactive.

3. What academic adjustments are available at Saybrook University?

Appropriate academic adjustments/accommodations are determined based on disability and individual need. In providing an academic adjustment, Saybrook University will not lower or effect substantial modifications to essential curricular requirements. For example, extended testing time might be an agreed upon accommodation, but Saybrook will not change the substantive content of the test. In addition, Saybrook does not have to make modifications that would fundamentally alter the nature of a service, program, or activity, or would result in an undue financial or administrative burden. Finally, Saybrook University does not provide personal attendants, individually prescribed devices, readers for personal use or study, or other devices or services of a personal nature, such as tutoring and typing.

4. If I want an academic adjustment, what should I do?

​Student Affairs manages services for qualified disabled students requiring reasonable accommodations. Please complete an Accommodations Request Form available on our website, attach any supporting documentation, and forward to the appropriate individual: Vice Provost of Student Life and Dean of Students​, Shaniece McGill​, [email protected] or 626.316.5342.

5. When should I request an academic adjustment?

Although an academic adjustment may be requested at any time, it is best to request it as early as possible. In order to ensure adequate processing time and time to arrange for an appropriate academic adjustment, Saybrook University asks that requests be submitted a minimum of three weeks prior to the start of the term for which the accommodation is being requested.​

6. What documentation must I provide?

Official documentation must provide enough information for you and Saybrook to decide what is an appropriate academic adjustment. Documentation must be complete and current in order for reasonable accommodations to be established at the postsecondary level of education. ​

As appropriate to the disability, documentation should include the following elements:​

1. A diagnostic statement by a professional whose license or credentials are appropriate to describe or diagnose the disability, provided on professional letterhead. The statement should include the date of the most current diagnostic evaluation, the date of the original diagnosis, and the identification of the nature and extent of the disability. (Sometimes identification will include a description of the diagnostic tests, methods, and/or criteria used.) Documentation must be current (generally, three years is acceptable for most disabilities and five years in some cases, depending on type). ​
   
2. Specific information on the functional limitation as related to the academic environment. (Might include specific test results and the examiner's narrative interpretation.)
   
3. Description of the current course of treatment, including medical side effects. (Might include treatment, medications, and/or assistive devices/services currently prescribed or in use.)
   
4. Prognosis for the disability. (Might include a description of the expected progression or stability of the impact of the disability over time.)
   
5. Recommended reasonable accommodations.
   
6. The credentials of the diagnosing professional if not clear from the letterhead or other forms. Please contact your disability services representative if you have questions about submitting your documentation. ​
   

7. Once the school has received the necessary documentation from me, what should I expect?

Your request will be reviewed in light of the essential requirements for your program to help determine an appropriate academic adjustment. It is important to remember that the school is not required to lower or waive essential program or course requirements. If you have requested a specific academic adjustment, the school may offer that academic adjustment or an alternative one, if the alternative also would be effective. You will most likely be contacted to discuss your request. Identifying an appropriate academic adjustment is an interactive process that may require multiple conversations and could include other school administrators or faculty members. Once your request is reviewed, you will receive a "Confirmation of Accommodation" outlining your approved academic accommodations that you must provide to your instructors in a timely fashion before each semester.

It is your responsibility to communicate with your instructors in the beginning of each semester about your accommodations by providing them a copy of your "Confirmation of ​Accommodations" should you require academic adjustments/accommodations.​

8. What about confidentiality?

Saybrook University keeps your records and the status of your disability in the strictest of confidence. Release of any information regarding your disability or the services you receive will only occur through written permission or in accordance with the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA) which may compel the school to release information to school officials on a need-to-know basis.

It is your choice if you wish to disclose your disability to your instructors. To protect your privacy, your "Confirmation of ​Accommodation" will not include information about the nature of your disability. It is your responsibility to present this notice to your instructor(s) in the beginning of each semester in order to receive accommodations in your courses.

9. What if the academic adjustment is not working?

Let the ADA Coordinator know as soon as you become aware that the results are not what you expected. It may be too late to correct the problem if you wait until a course or activity is completed. The ADA Coordinator will work with you to resolve the problem, where possible. 

10. What can I do if I believe someone at the school is discriminating against me?

If you believe that any school personnel have discriminated against you because of a disability, you have the right to seek a review of such concerns. You have the option of pursuing either an informal complaint or a formal grievance. If you opt to pursue an informal complaint, you may later pursue a formal grievance if not satisfied with the resolution of the informal process. If you believe you have a valid basis for complaint regarding a requested academic accommodation, you should first attempt to resolve the issue with the staff or faculty member involved. If this effort proves unsuccessful, you should discuss the concern with the ADA Coordinator who will investigate the complaint and attempt to resolve the disagreement in a timely manner. If a resolution is not achieved, you may then initiate a formal procedure, which is defined in the Saybrook catalog under the Student Grievance Procedure​.

11. Are accommodations retroactive?

No. Accommodations are not retroactive. Accommodations for students with disabilities do not take effect until you have self-identified to the ADA Coordinator, provided appropriate documentation, completed an Accommodations Request Form​, been approved eligible for accommodations, and received a "Confirmation of Accommodation". If you feel you are struggling with your courses due to your disability, it is in your best interest to approach The ADA Coordinator prior to the start of the semester to provide yourself the best possible opportunity for success.