Accessibility Services for Students with Disabilities

Accessibility for students with disabilities

The Office for Student Accessibility supports students who have a physical, sensory, learning, and/or psychological disability that substantially limits a major life activity such as learning, communicating, walking, seeing, hearing, or breathing. Many of these disabilities are hidden or less visible, such as anxiety, depression, learning disabilities, arthritis, or other health impairments.

The goal of Student Accessibility is to provide academic and physical access by accommodating the disability, promoting student independence and maximizing academic potential.

Eligibility:

If you are requesting accommodations or services, you need to provide appropriate documentation of a disability based on the documentation guidelines below. If you have a question regarding the required documentation or need information about a disability that is not listed, please contact the Coordinator.

You are encouraged to provide documentation and accommodation requests as early as possible for a course, workshop, program, or activity.

Documentation Guidelines:

• Documentation should come from an appropriate licensed professional. The name, title, professional credentials, place of employment, address and phone number of the professional should be clearly stated in the documentation. It should be typed, printed on letterhead and signed.
• Documentation should establish that you have a disability that substantially limits a major life activity.
• Documentation should describe how the disability impacts your participation in campus activities and programs.
• Documentation should recommend accommodations that are appropriate and effective and allow you equal access to campus activities and programs.

The Coordinator handles all documentation in a confidential manner.

Services and Resources for Students:

• Handbook for Students with Disabilities
• Program orientation and needs assessment
• Physical access
• Individual registration
• Adaptive Technology on the Alverno Campus
• Alternative testing
• Note-taking assistance
• Access to textbooks in alternative formats
• Classroom accommodations/modifications
• Information and referral
• Support groups
• Advocacy
• Coaches
• Tutoring and study groups
• Communication Resource Center
• Soref Resource Center

Suggestions for Applicants/Students:

• Contact the Coordinator for Student Accessibility:
  • at least one semester prior to admission; or
  • immediately following diagnosis of a disability.
• Provide written documentation to verify your disability and to identify appropriate accommodations.
• Contact your local Vocational Rehabilitation office (and the Social Security Administration as appropriate) to seek possible funding for educational costs and for other disability-related services.
• Identify and observe all deadlines (e.g. admissions, housing, financial aid, disability services).
• Keep a record of all correspondence and documents relevant to your education.
• Communicate changes in your situation to the Coordinator.

For more information, contact
Colleen Barnett
Coordinator for Student Accessibility
414-382-6026
colleen.barnett@alverno.edu