Procedures for Requesting Accommodations

• Making an Accommodation Request

• Timelines

• When Are Accommodation Requests Denied?

Making an Accommodation Request

Step One:
Please contact the appropriate Disability Services staff member to arrange an initial appointment.

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 Timeline for Accommodation Request [pdf] [Word Doc])

Step Two:
During your initial meeting you will discuss your documentation, discuss eligibility for accommodations, discuss any potential accommodations, and discuss the next steps. You may bring any documentation that you have to this meeting. We will determine if additional documentation is necessary. You will also have the opportunity to ask any questions regarding documentation guidelines.

Step Three:
If it is determined that, you have a qualifying disability and the documentation you have provided is appropriate, 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.

Step Four:
The student delivers the disability accommodation letters to course instructors. Student and instructor must sign each form and have the original returned 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] [Word Doc]. 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 need 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?

The University provides accommodations unless they fall under one of the following three categories:

• Fundamental Alteration
• Undue Hardship
• Personal Service

Fundamental Alteration

If an accommodation reduces the academic standards of the University, its schools, departments, or courses, the University denies the accommodation because it is unreasonable. Academic standards are essential for every student. It is unreasonable to alter these fundamental standards with an accommodation.

Undue Hardship

If an accommodation costs too much or is impossible to administer, the University denies the accommodation because it is unreasonable. An unjustifiable financial burden will have an adverse effect on the entire University system. An undue administrative burden occurs when the University doesn't have the time or ability to respond to a request.

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, rehabilitation, remediation, and tutoring.

Requesting Accommodations & Student Choice

The University will honor students accommodation choices whenever feasible, but periodically may need to provide equally effective alternatives to that choice.

Students make requests for accommodations primarily through Disability Services. The University requires verification of disability and functional limitation prior to the provision of reasonable accommodations.