Disability Resources & Accessibility
Disability Resources & Accessibility
Disability Resources & Accessibility seeks to meet the needs of students with documented disabilities by providing reasonable accommodations through an interactive process, assisting students in becoming self-advocates while supporting their curricular and co-curricular activities at college. Students are responsible for disclosing their disability and requesting accommodations by completing the registration form & providing current documentation of the disability.
Disability Resources & Accessibility is committed to working with students, staff, and faculty in developing and implementing the most appropriate strategies for a successful learning experience while maintaining the academic standards and integrity of the mission of the College.
Disability Resources & Accessibility Procedures
The steps to obtain services through Disability Resources & Accessibility are described below:
1. Admission to Maryville College
Students must be admitted to Maryville College before receiving services through Disability Resources & Accessibility. See the Admissions and Financial Aid section (p. 5) of the 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 documentation which supports the request for reasonable accommodations for the disability. Registration form and documentation guidelines are located online at www.maryvillecollege.edu/disability.
3. Determination of Eligibility
With guidance from the Association on Higher Education and Disability (AHEAD), the Office of Disability Resources and Accessibility considers the following evidence for determining a student’s disability and the provision of specific accommodations:
Student’s Self Report : The student is the most valuable resource for information regarding how the student may be impacted by their condition(s). The student’s experience of disability, barriers and effective accommodations is critical information. This information is gathered through the registration form and through meetings with Disability Resources & Accessibility staff.
Observation and Interaction: In some cases, disability is apparent either in terms of presentation or effect. As part of the interactive process, Disability Resources & Accessibility staff may make appropriate and reasonable judgments that contribute toward the determination of disability.
Documentation from External or Third Parties: Documentation from a qualified medical, psychological, or educational professional should provide information on the current impact/limitations of the condition in a postsecondary environment.
4. Accommodation Determination
Students should contact the Disability Resources & Accessibility 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 Disability Resources & Accessibility staff member.
Disability Resources & Accessibility professionals believe the student is the most valuable resource for determining effective and reasonable accommodations. Disability Resources & Accessibility assists students in becoming self-advocates while supporting their essential needs. Disability Resources & Accessibility 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. Disability Resources & Accessibility 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 Disability Resources & Accessibility 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. Disability Resources & Accessibility professionals are available to consult with students regarding special needs and possible local resources.
Letter of Accommodation
When reasonable accommodations have been established, Disability Resources & Accessibility staff will create a Letter of Accommodation (LOA). The LOA indicates the academic accommodations which the student is qualified to receive. Students must grant permission each semester for the office to send the LOA to the student’s faculty. Students may choose which faculty the LOA is sent to. Students may ask for the letter to be sent to their advisor.
Before issuing an LOA, Disability Resources & Accessibility must have a complete file. The file must include the registration form, appropriate documentation, and a signed Release of Information Waiver. Disability Resources & Accessibility staff will not discuss academic accommodation concerns with faculty members until all documents are received. Disability Resources & Accessibility 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 Disability Resources & Accessibility with questions or concerns regarding ways to implement the qualifying accommodations.
Continuing Enrollment
Each semester, students should review their existing accommodations and request that their LOA be sent to their faculty. If additional accommodations are requested, Disability Resources & Accessibility will review current documentation and 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 Director of Disability Resources & Accessibility. The Director will work to resolve such concerns informally through an interactive process with the student, pertinent faculty, or staff members. If the grievance is in relation to the Director of Disability Resources & Accessibility, then the grievance should be submitted to the Vice President & Dean of Students. To establish the basis for such a grievance, students should be registered with Disability Resources & Accessibility and receiving services. Students should expect to receive a written response to their grievance within ten (10) business days of submitting it.
Appeal for Denial of Accommodations
Any accommodation request that is denied will be reviewed by both the Assistant Director of Disability Resources and the Director of Disability Resources and Compliance. Students who have been denied a disability-related accommodation and would like to appeal the decision may file an appeal within ten (10) business days of the denial. Appeals should be submitted in writing by email to the Office of Disability Resources and Accessibility at disabilityresources@maryvillecollege.edu and copy the Dean of Students at mcdos@maryvillecollege.edu. Requests for appeal should include the date of denial, the denied accommodation(s), and a statement regarding why the accommodation should be granted. Students may only appeal a denial of accommodations; students may not appeal a request for additional documentation to support the accommodation request.
Appeals will be determined by the Vice President and Dean of Students and are considered final. The appellate decision-maker will review the student’s request for appeal, original request for accommodation(s), and any supporting documentation and issue a decision in writing within fifteen (15) business days of receipt of the appeal. The decision will be emailed to the Maryville College email address of the student requesting the appeal and to the Office of Disability Resources and Accessibility.
Misuse of Accommodations
Accommodations should be used appropriately and in the manner which they are approved to address a student’s disability-related needs. Inappropriate use of accommodations may be subject to disciplinary action under the Academic Integrity Policy or the Student Code of Conduct depending on the nature of the violation.
Misuse of accommodations includes, but is not limited to:
• Using class recordings to harass other students, faculty, or staff
• Using assistive technology to access the internet during exams
• Distributing class recordings without permission
• Being dishonest about an Emotional Support Animal’s access to a space
Contacting Disability Resources & Accessibility
Students can contact Disability Resources & Accessibility in the lower level of Thaw Hall, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., via phone at 865.981.8120 or 865.981.8124, through the website www.maryvillecollege.edu/disability, or email disabilityresources@maryvillecollege.edu.