Disability Services

Disability Services Procedures

The steps to obtain services through DS are described below:

1. Admission to Maryville College

   Students must meet all prerequisites for admission to Maryville College before receiving services through DS. See the current Maryville College catalog for required admission standards.

2. Registration for Services

   Students are responsible for disclosing a disability and requesting accommodations. Students must complete the registration for services and provide current documentation which supports the request for reasonable accommodations for the disability. Registration form and documentation requirements are located online at www.maryvillecollege.edu/disability.

3. Documentation

   Documentation must specify the disability, its impact, and severity, as well as substantiate the need for accommodations. A licensed professional, familiar with the history and functional implications of the disability, must provide the required documentation. If the initial documentation is incomplete or inadequate to determine the extent or needs of the student, DS has the discretion to require additional documentation. Current documentation is required for permanent and/or temporary disabilities. Also, students requesting accommodations for multiple disabilities must provide documentation of all such conditions. The documentation must substantiate current functional limitations.

4. Accommodation Determination

   After completing the registration form and submitting the necessary documentation, students should contact the DS office and set-up an appointment to determine reasonable accommodations. The official registration and implementation of services cannot begin until the student meets with a DS staff member.

   DS professionals believe the student is the most valuable resource for determining effective and reasonable accommodations. DS assists students in becoming self-advocates while supporting their essential needs. DS assists faculty by providing information and by validating and providing necessary accommodations. Students who feel that they are experiencing problems/concerns in classes or the college setting should contact the office as soon as possible to resolve any difficulties they may be experiencing regarding accommodations or access on campus. DS will begin an interactive process with those individuals regarding the problems/concerns.

Important Notes

It is the student's responsibility to arrange for certain services that are outside the scope of DS and Maryville College. These services include, but may not be limited to, attendant care, mobility training, items/services of a personal nature, and sources of financial aid. DS professionals are available to consult with students regarding special needs and possible local resources.

Letter of Accommodation

When reasonable accommodations have been established, the professor, advisor, and student will receive a Letter of Accommodation (LOA). The LOA indicates the accommodations which the student is qualified to receive.

Before issuing an LOA, DS must have a complete file. The file must include the registration form, appropriate documentation, and a signed Release of Information Waiver. DS staff will not discuss academic accommodation concerns with faculty members until all documents are received. DS will not disclose or discuss the disability documentation provided by the student without the written consent of the student.

First Week of Class Responsibilities

Students are encouraged to meet with each of their scheduled class professors during the first week of the term to discuss the LOA for the implementation of the accommodations. Students and faculty should contact DS with questions or concerns regarding ways to implement the qualifying accommodations.

Continuing Enrollment

Each semester, students should contact DS at the earliest possible opportunity to schedule a meeting to discuss class accommodations for the semester. If additional accommodations are requested, DS will review current documentation, meet with the student to discuss the additional requested accommodations.

Grievance Procedures

An internal grievance procedure exists for students who believe the accommodations provided were not reasonable or not being provided. Students should submit a written statement of the specific complaint within ten (10) business days of the alleged incident or action to the Academic Success Center Director. The Director will work to resolve such concerns informally through an interactive process with the student, pertinent faculty, or staff members. To establish the basis for such a grievance, students should be registered with DS and receiving services. Students should expect to receive a written response to their grievance within 10 days of submitting it.

Contacting Disability Services

Students can contact Disability Services through the Academic Support Center in the lower level of Thaw Hall, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., via phone at 865.981.8120or 865-981-8124, through the website www.maryvillecollege.edu/disability, or email disabilityservices@maryvillecollege.edu.