Detailed Procedures for Adjustments and Aids

In addition to general student responsibilities there are detailed procedures for specific academic adjustments. Listed below are procedures for the most common academic adjustments. Other procedures will be worked out on an individual basis between the student and the Disabilities Services Staff.

If a student does not believe that s/he is receiving requested academic adjustment and/or auxiliary aid, the student must meet with the Disabilities Specialist immediately.

Alternative Test Accommodations

This academic adjustment must be coordinated with the instructor, the student, and the Learning Center. NOTE: Some instructors arrange testing accommodations directly with students who have disability documentation on file with Disabilities Services.

The following apply to tests taken in the Learning Center: As soon as a test date is established (announced in class or in the course syllabus) the student makes an alternative testing appointment with the Learning Center. Exams are scheduled to begin at the same time as the class unless alternative plans are approved by the instructor. The student schedules the day and time for the test and receives a "Testing Appointment Slip" from the Learning Center. It is the student’s responsibility to check that his/her test accommodations (a word processor, scribe, extra time, low distraction environment or other aids) are noted correctly on the appointment slip. The student obtains the instructor’s signature on the "Testing Appointment Slip." It is the responsibility of the instructor to deliver a copy of the test to the Learning Center. The student brings the signed "Testing Appointment Slip" to the Learning Center. The student begins the test at the scheduled time. Arriving late can compromise the amount of time the student has to take the test. If classes occur after or before regular Learning Center hours please arrange to take the exam at a time when the Learning Center is open. The student is permitted to take the same items into the testing area as students taking the test in the classroom setting. Students with disabilities may also take approved auxiliary aides into the testing area. Any instances of academic dishonesty will be referred to the instructor for a response as it would be if the test were taken in the classroom.

Procedures for Emergency Cancellation of Testing in the Learning Center:

1. If no staff member is available and the Learning Center must be temporarily closed due to an emergency, a staff member will record a message on the voice mail (206-296-5740) explaining the situation. The message will be updated as necessary during the day

2. Students and professors will be informed that, in case of inclement weather or other emergency, they need to call the Learning Center to see if it will be open at the regular times. Professors will be informed that if the Learning Center is not available, students will be asked to return to the class. Then the professor can decide whether to have the student take the test in an alternate location or postpone the test until the Learning Center is reopened.

Assistive Devices

The Learning Center can loan FM listening systems and tape recorders to students who have a documented need for them on a short term emergency basis until the student obtains his/her own equipment.

1. Before borrowing equipment, the student will meet with the Disabilities Specialist to determine the type of equipment needed and to discuss its use and care.

2. The student will sign the "Items on Loan" form.

3. Borrowed equipment must be turned in at the end of the quarter. In some situations equipment can be borrowed for additional quarters.

4. Borrowed items must be returned in working order. Students are responsible for any damage due to improper use of the equipment.

Early Registration

Students with a disability may qualify for early registration based on the criteria listed below:

• The student has a documented disability that requires room changes and/or physical accommodations.
• The student will be using tape recorded and/or other materials that will require extra time to prepare.
• The student will be using a sign language interpreter.

1. All students registering early will receive appropriate appointment times and dates from the registrar.

2. If this does not occur please inform the Disability Specialist immediately so that a new registration appointment may be scheduled.

Foreign Language Substitution:

Students whose disabilities have a documented, significant effect on learning a foreign language may request approval for an alternative option that satisfies the foreign language requirement. Substitution of history and culture classes for the usual language sequence is the most common alternate approved.

1. The Disabilities Specialist will send a letter to the student’s academic advisor, explaining the language substitution accommodation.

2. The student must meet with his/her academic advisor and complete a "Petition for Exception to Policy" form in reference to the substitution.

3. The Disability Specialist will send out quarterly a copy of the list of approved courses for substitution. The student with their advisor will select appropriate courses.

Note taker/Permission to Tape Record

The Disabilities Services staff can arrange peer note takers, permission to tape record and/or other accommodations for students who have a documented need or you may choose to do this yourself.

1. Students will mark the appropriate space in the notesharing section of the "Accommodation Request" form and bring it to the Learning Center as soon as possible. Switching sections or making other schedule changes may present delays in providing services.

2. If you marked "arrange own" then you will receive a copier code that you may use on any on-campus copy machine or at the copy center in order to make copies.

3. If you mark "staff arrange", then a disability services staff member will locate a notetaker. Once a note taker has been assigned, the student and his/her note taker will be given each other’s contact information. Discuss specific needs and expectations, and arrange a schedule for delivery of the notes.

4. Students receiving notetaking services are encouraged to take a tape recorder to class in case the note taker is absent.

5. After three absences by a student during the quarter, Disabilities Services will assume that the student has dropped the class and services will be discontinued. To discuss the reinstatement of services, the student meets with the Disabilities Specialist.

Physical Accessibility and Room Accommodations

Disabilities Services can arrange with the Registrar’s Office to change the location of a class and/or provide special furniture for students who have a documented need.

1. The student will identify this need during the initial interview with the Learning Center Director so that his or her name can be added to the accessibility list which Disabilities Services submits to the Registrar two weeks prior to early registration.

2. The student participates in early registration and submits the "Request for Accommodations" form as soon as registration is complete, a minimum of three weeks prior to the start of classes.

Reduced Course Load with Full Time Equivalency

Students who have a documented need can arrange to take fewer than 12 credits per quarter (normally considered a part-time credit load), while maintaining their full-time status for financial aid purposes (FTE).

1. After the accommodation is established, the Disabilities Specialist will notify the Financial Aid and Registrar’s Offices of the need and specify the length of time of the reduction.

2. The student needs to understand that the amount of some kinds of financial aid varies in proportion to the credit load of the student. Therefore, since 10 credit hours is considered to be 3/4 of a full load (or 1/4 less than a full load), some portions of the aid package may be reduced by 1/4. For details on the specific financial aid effects of reducing course load, the student needs to consult with a financial aid counselor. The Disabilities Specialist can assist the student with that meeting.

Sign Language Interpreting Services (TTY: 206-296-5743)/Real-time Captioners

Interpreters/Captioners are provided for students with disabilities who require them in order to have effective access to classes. Technological alternatives may also be used when they provide effective access.

1. Students will participate in early registration and provide a completed “Accommodations Request” form to Disabilities Services as soon as possible. Switching sections or making other schedule changes may present delays in providing services.

2. Disabilities Services makes the decisions regarding the employment of interpreters/captioners. This decision incorporates the student’s needs and preferences. It is important that the students give immediate feed back to the Disabilities Specialist as the interpreter’s continued employment is contingent on satisfaction among all parties.

3. All requests for additional interpreter service (e.g. events outside of normal class times) require at least a week’s notification to allow time for finding an interpreter.

4. The student should discuss specific expectations and needs with the interpreter/captioner.

5. Any concerns or problems students have with an interpreter should be brought to the attention of the Disabilities Specialist. Every reasonable effort will be made to resolve the situation fairly.

6. Students must provide the interpreter as much advanced notice as possible of any expected absence. If an illness or emergency prohibits the student from giving the interpreter timely notice, the student will notify the Learning Center (206-296-5740, TTY 296-5743, or email LC@seattleu.edu).

7. If the student has not arrived by ten minutes after a class session or event is scheduled to begin, the interpreter will leave and the student will be considered absent.

8. After three absences by a student during the quarter, Disabilities Services will assume that the student has dropped the class and services will be discontinued. To discuss the reinstatement of services, the student meets with the Disabilities Specialist.

9. Interpreters are professionals working under a code of ethics. Students must respect this professional position.

10. Students are encouraged to seek community resources to fund interpreter services when appropriate.

Text in Alternative Formats

Books and other required reading materials are provided in alternative formats to students who have documented visual or learning disabilities that affect the reading of printed materials.

1. The student will register for classes during the advance registration period and work with the Disabilities Specialist to obtain a reading schedule as soon as possible.

2. The student provides a list of materials needed to the Disabilities Specialist at least three weeks before the term begins. This list includes the title of the text, author, publication date and ISBN number.

3. Students are encouraged to become individual members of Readings for the Blind and Dyslexic (RFBD). If the student is not an RFBD member, Disabilities Services will order available texts.

4. If materials are NOT available through RFBD, the student will provide the materials to the Learning Center to be taped or brailled at least three weeks before they are needed.

5. The student will inform the Disabilities Specialist of any changes in course materials.

6. Issues might arise if assignment changes or additions are made with short notice. The student will discuss such issues with professors and convey updated information to the Learning Center.

7. The student will work with the instructor to ensure that materials such as instructor class handouts are forwarded to the Learning Center to be taped or brailled as soon as they are available.

8. If there is a problem with this process, the student should notify the Disabilities Specialist immediately.

9. Students will return all tapes or disks at the end of the quarter.

10. Students should note that recordings from RFBD can only be played on 4-track tape players. Four-track recorders are available on long-term loan from Washington Talking Books and Library. A request form can be obtained from the Disabilities Specialist.