Students with disabilities have the right to obtain reasonable accommodations. National University will make such 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 applicant or student with a disability. Modifications may include changes in the length of time permitted for the completion of the degree requirements, substitution of specific courses required for the completion of degree requirements, and adaptation of the manner in which specific courses are conducted. In course examinations or other procedures for evaluating students’ academic achievement, the University shall provide methods for evaluating the achievement of students with disabilities that impair sensory, manual, or speaking skills as will best ensure that the results of the evaluation represent the student’s achievement in the course, rather than reflecting the students impaired sensory, manual, or speaking skills, except where such skills are the factors that the test purports to measure.
The University will take necessary steps to ensure that no qualified disabled student is denied the benefits of, excluded from participation in, or otherwise subjected to discrimination because of the absence of educational auxiliary aids. Auxiliary aids may include taped texts, interpreters or other effective methods of making orally delivered materials available to students with hearing impairments, readers in libraries for students with visual impairments, classroom equipment adapted for use by students with manual impairments, and other similar services and actions.
Accommodations cannot be provided which would fundamentally alter the nature of the program, cause undue hardship on the University, or jeopardize the health or safety of others. Reasonable accommodations must specifically address the fundamental limitations of the student’s specific disability.
Registration
Students seeking special accommodations due to a disability should contact the Office of Scholarships and Special Services in order to complete the required application form. The Office of Scholarships and Special Services will discuss potential accommodations and required documentation with the student. Students are encouraged to make accommodation requests as far in advance as possible.
Accommodations are not retroactive. Accommodations for students with disabilities do not take effect until you have self-identified to the Office of Scholarships and Special Services, submitted an application, provided appropriate documentation, and received a letter identifying what accommodations have been approved.
Documentation
Disability documentation must be signed by a licensed physician, psychologist, audiologist, speech pathologist, physical therapist, occupational therapist, or other professional health care provider. Documentation should indicate the student’s current level of functioning with respect to the major life activity impacted by the disability. The diagnostic report should include, where appropriate, recommendations for specific accommodations and an explanation of the reason the accommodation is recommended. In some situations, the University may request additional documentation. The cost of obtaining professional documentation of a disability is the responsibility of the student.
Accommodation Determination
The Committee for Students with Disabilities will consider all materials, consult with relevant faculty where necessary, and afford qualifying individuals with appropriate accommodation. The student may provide additional input from an appropriate professional at the student’s expense if the student deems such input to be necessary. A decision will be rendered within seven business days from the date of the reasonable accommodation request.
Once a student is approved to receive special accommodation(s), the Coordinator of Scholarships and Special Services will provide an accommodation letter to the student. It is the student’s responsibility to present this letter to his/her instructor on the first night of class. A student may or may not elect to use the accommodation.
A letter is also sent to the instructor telling him/her that a student enrolled in his/her class may approach them with an approved accommodation(s). The letter will not identify the student.
If a student does not approach the faculty member, that student will be deemed to have elected to not request the accommodation(s). Again, a student may elect not to use the accommodation. This happens regularly as students often decide if they think they will need a given accommodation after reviewing the syllabus.
If there is a physical accommodation required (like a separate testing room for an onsite class or a special seat) a letter will also be sent to the campus. The student is responsible for arranging this with the campus. The Office of Scholarships and Special Services will provide a proctor (when approved as an accommodation) for an exam.
Under no circumstances should a faculty member allow a student any type of accommodations without a letter from the Coordinator of Scholarships and Special Services. Any information that a student gives to the faculty member is to be used only for arranging accommodations for the course of study and may not be disclosed. Instructors are not authorized to unilaterally deny a student an approved accommodation.
Denial or insufficiency of accommodation
If a student is denied accommodation or believes that the accommodation afforded is insufficient, the student may appeal to the Vice President for Student Services, who will render a decision within seven (7) days of receipt of the appeal or prior to the start date of the next course, depending on which occurs first. The decision of the Vice President is final.
Students have the right to appeal any decision by the University denying a requested reasonable accommodation to outside enforcement Agencies, such as the Office for Civil Rights of the United States Department of Education or the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing. See “Appellate Procedures for Civil Rights Issues” in the Policies and Procedures section of the General Catalog. Any complaint must be filed must be filed with the Office for Civil Rights within 180 calendar days of the University’s final decision, or with the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing within one year of the University’s final decision. Students need not exhaust the University’s appeal procedures in order to file an appeal with an outside agency.
Problems in Receiving Approved Accommodations
In the event that a student believes he/she is not receiving an accommodation that is specified in their accommodation letter, the student should immediately contact the Coordinator of Scholarships and Special Services, who will take necessary action to see that the approved accommodation is furnished.
Confidentiality
Information concerning a student’s disability and any accommodations provided is confidential, and will be disclosed only as necessary to establish a student’s eligibility for accommodations and to provide those accommodations. Information will be shared with the instructor only to the extent necessary to provide a reasonable accommodation.
Contact Person for Accommodation Matters
Contact the Coordinator of Scholarships and Special Services at (858) 642-8185 or e-mail specialservices@nu.edu if you have any questions or if you require further assistance.
Applications for accommodations for a disability may be sent to:
The Office of Scholarships and Special Services
National University
11255 North Torrey Pines Road
La Jolla, CA 92037-1011
Phone: (858) 642-8185
The California Relay Operator can be reached at 711.
National University is a member of the National University System.