Disability Services
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and Resolution 504, Berry College provides reasonable accommodations for individuals with documented disabilities.
The student seeking accommodations for a disability must provide recent documentation of the disability. Documentation must be current and contain a diagnosis of the specific disability, an explanation of the functional limitations, and a rationale for requested accommodations.
To determine reasonable accommodations the Director of the Academic Support Center will work with the student and appropriate College personnel to evaluate the possible accommodations. Such accommodations will be determined on a case-by-case basis.
Registering with the Academic Support Center
A student is not entitled to accommodations until he/she identifies her-/himself as a student with a disability. Accommodations are NOT retroactive. To receive accommodations for a disability, the student must provide the college with documentation of the disability from a qualified evaluator.
There is no time period as to when a person must identify, but the college is permitted a reasonable period of time to make accommodations.
Documentation on file for the applicant must:
1. clearly state the diagnosed disability
2. describe the functional limitations resulting from the disability
3. be current:
--LD--within the last 5 years
--Psychiatric disabilities—within last six months
--All other—within last 3 years
This requirement does not apply to physical or sensory disabilities of a permanent or unchanging nature.
4. include complete educational, developmental, and medical history relevant to the disability for which
accommodations are requested.
5. Include a list of all test instruments used in the evaluation report and relevant subtest scores used to document the stated disability. (Does not apply to physical or sensory disabilities of a permanent or unchanging nature.)
6. describe the specific accommodations requested.
7. state why the disability qualifies the applicant for the accommodations requested.
8. be typed and printed on official letterhead and signed by an evaluator qualified to make the diagnosis (include information about license or certification and area of specialization.)
If the initial documentation is incomplete or inadequate to determine the extent of the disability and reasonable accommodations, the Academic Support Center Director has the discretion to require submission of additional documentation. The cost of obtaining documentation is the student's responsibility.
The student must initiate the action by contacting the Academic Support Center located in Krannert Student Center, Room 326.
If the student does not provide documentation, no accommodations will be provided. Parents cannot identify special needs for their child. Only accommodations supported by the recommendations of a licensed evaluator will be implemented. Students with the same disability may require different accommodations.
Upon receipt of the release of information form and the medical documentation, the information will be evaluated to determine reasonable accommodations. Only the ASC will identify and accommodate students with disabilities. All accommodations must originate from the ASC outlining the accommodations to be implemented for the student.
Students with documented special needs (i.e. learning disabilities, emotional, psychological, or physical disabilities) are urged to self-identify to the Academic Support Center director as soon as the student decides to attend Berry College.
Student Responsibilities
1. Notify The Academic Support Center of your need for accommodations.
2. Provide recent, professional documentation from a doctor or other licensed professional of your disability (See printable documentation criteria link below.).
3. Determine your classes' requirements and possible needed accommodations.
4. Request accommodation as far in advance as possible.
5. Meet academic and conduct standards. You get no special treatment because you have a disability. You must still meet the essential requirements of a class or program.
6. Accommodations do not automatically carry over to the next semester. The student must meet with the director of the ASC each semester and make a request for accommodations.
Educational accommodations are provided at no cost to you, but the college is not obligated to pay for personal devices, accommodations for personal use, or accommodations that fundamentally alter a school program or cost too much money or need too many people to make it work.
The laws do not require schools to lower academic standards. Accommodations do not mean giving you easier work or changing the rules to make it easier for you than other students. You must continually meet relevant academic and conduct standards to receive protection of the law.
Accommodations
The law states that some students with disabilities have a right to academic accommodations.
Accommodations are changes to how things are normally done that provide you with an equal opportunity to participate in and enjoy the benefits of your education. Accommodations include:
- changes to a classroom environment or task
Examples include providing a quiet room for test taking and other test taking accommodations (i.e., providing extended time, giving the exam in alternative formats, permitting the use of a dictionary or spell checker, and repeating instructions), and providing written materials in alternative formats such as large print, Braille, computer disk, or audio tape. - Removal of architectural barriers
Examples include adapting a dorm room to meet the needs of a student who uses a wheel chair and installing better lighting in classrooms to assist students with low vision. - modifications to policies, practices or procedures
Examples include providing course substitutions or waivers and extending timelines for completing assignments. - provision of appropriate auxiliary aids and services
Examples include providing sign language interpreters, note takers or scribes, tape recorders, and readers.
What is a disability under the ADA?