Procedures for Requesting Accommodations
Making an Accommodation Request
Timelines
When Are Accommodation Requests Denied
Requesting Accommodations and Student Choice
Many accommodations take time to arrange. It is in your best interest to make your formal requests as early as possible, preferably prior to the beginning of the semester. Failure to do so might limit our ability to meet your needs. (Please see the Accommodation Request Timeline for Classes [pdf]).
Making an Accommodation Request
1. Contact the ADA/504 Coordinator or a Disability Services Director
Please contact Daniel Newman, Lesley's ADA/504 Coordinator, or a Disability Services Director to begin the process for requesting accommodations. When you contact Mr. Newman, please describe your disability so that he can connect you with the appropriate Disability Services staff member. You will contact this staff person to arrange an initial appointment. (Please click here to view the staff member responsible for different types of disabilities).
2. Participate in Initial Appointment
During your initial appointment you will discuss: 1) your documentation; 2) eligibility for accommodations; 3) any potential accommodations; and 4) next steps. You should bring any documentation that you have to this meeting. We will determine if additional documentation is necessary. The Disability Services staff member either will inform you at this meeting or through the letter discussed in Step 4 if any additional documentation is required. During the initial appointment, you will have the opportunity to ask any questions regarding any part of this process.
3. Disability Services Determines Who Will Be Responsible for Processing Your Request
Campus-based Students: If your disability involves learning disabilities or attention disorders, Maureen Riley will be responsible for processing your request for accommodations. If you have a physical, sensory, or psychiatric disability, Laura Patey will be responsible for processing your request for accommodations. If you have more than one disability and your disabilities involve learning and/or attention disorders, in addition to physical, sensory and/or psychiatric disabilities, then Ms. Riley and Ms. Patey will meet to discuss your request and to determine who will be responsible for processing your requests. In these situations, Ms. Riley and Ms. Patey will share relevant accommodation-related documents and information.
Off-campus Students: If your disability involves learning disabilities or attention disorders, Dan Newman will be responsible for processing your request for accommodations. If you have a physical, sensory, or psychiatric disability, Laura Patey will be responsible for processing your request for accommodations. If you have more than one disability and your disabilities involve learning and/or attention disorders, in addition to physical, sensory and/or psychiatric disabilities, then Mr. Newman and Ms. Patey will meet to discuss your request and to determine who will be responsible for processing your requests. In these situations, Mr. Newman and Ms. Patey will share relevant accommodation-related documents and information.
4. Disability Services Will Notify You of Its Determination in Writing
Disability Services will notify you in writing by e-mail of 1) its determination regarding whether you have a qualifying disability and whether the documentation you provided is sufficient; 2) if necessary, the additional documentation required for your accommodation request to be considered; and 3) the staff person(s) you should communicate with regarding your accommodations.
5. Work with Disability Services to Determine Reasonable Accommodations
If it is determined that you have a qualifying disability and the documentation you have provided is sufficient, Disability Services staff will work with you to determine which reasonable accommodations will be provided, and will prepare accommodation letters for faculty. Accommodations are given on a case-by-case basis. If necessary, appropriate faculty, staff or outside sources may need to be consulted. No consultation will take place without the informed consent of the student.
6. Deliver the Disability Accommodation Letters to Course Instructors
Disability Services staff and the student sign the disability accommodation letters, then the student delivers the letters to course instructors or faculty to sign. Instructors or faculty and student retain their copies, and the student returns the office copy to Disability Services.
Please note: You need to contact Disability Services each semester to formally request accommodations prior to each semester.
Timelines
Students must follow Lesley University Accommodation Timelines [pdf]. Integral to the definition of reasonable accommodation is the timeliness of the request for accommodation. For example, sign language interpreters for a semester long course normally take four weeks to arrange. Thus, a student should initiate the process for obtaining a reasonable accommodation no later than the beginning of the course or courses in which she or he is seeking accommodation to enable the University to make any necessary adjustments and to obtain the required services. It is recommended that a student seeking reasonable accommodation not wait until classes have begun to initiate the process; rather, she or he should seek assistance through Disability Services before a course or a semester begins.
When Are Accommodation Requests Denied?
Circumstances in which accommodations normally will be denied include but are not limited to the following:
1. Student Does Not Provide Required Documentation
If a student does not submit to Disability Services documentation of his/her disability, and required documentation regarding a requested accommodation, the University will not provide any disability accommodation to the student.
Please note that students may take advantage of other support services at any time, such as tutoring, that are available to all students at the University on an as-needed basis. For more information about these University-wide student support services, please contact the Center for Academic Achievement, caa@lesley.edu.
In addition, Disability Services staff will provide support on an interim basis to students awaiting the required documentation, such as 1:1 meetings focused on assessing students' most pressing academic needs, time management, and organizational skills.
2. Fundamental Alteration
If an accommodation fundamentally alters the academic standards of the University, its schools, departments, or courses, the University will deny the accommodation.
3. Unreasonable/Undue Burden
If a requested accommodation is unreasonable, the University will deny the accommodation and work to find an alternative, reasonable accommodation if the student has submitted sufficient documentation. If providing a requested auxiliary aid or service would present an undue burden, the University does not need to provide it, but will work with you to try to provide another auxiliary aid or service that does not present such a burden.
4. Personal Service
If a request for an accommodation falls under the definition of a personal service, the University denies the request because it is unreasonable. Personal services are those that a person with a disability must use regardless of attendance at the University. These personal services may include independent living/personal care attendants, transportation other than shuttle services, diagnostic testing, and rehabilitation, among others. In addition, the University will not provide individually prescribed devices.
5. Direct Threat to Health or Safety of Others
If a requested accommodation would cause a significant risk to the health or safety of others, the University will deny the accommodation.
Requesting Accommodations and Student Choice
When choosing among reasonable accommodations, the University cannot guarantee that students will be provided their preferred accommodation choices, but if a student's preferred choice is not granted, then the University will provide equally effective alternatives, subject to the limitations described above.