It is the policy of Davenport University to comply with the provisions of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA).
Davenport University is required by Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act to provide effective services for qualified students with documented disabilities if such accommodations are needed to provide equitable access to the University programs and services. Federal law defines a disability as “a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities.” Major life activities are defined as the ability to perform functions such as walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing, learning, working or taking care of oneself. It is important to note that disability in and of itself does not necessarily constitute an impairment. The degree of impairment must be significant enough to “substantially limit” one or more major life activities.
To receive disability services through Davenport, students with disabilities must complete an Accommodations Request Form and the appropriate Verification of Disabilities Form(s)(downloadable forms below) and return or email these forms along with the supporting documentation to the Disability Coordinator at the campus the student attends.
The cost for obtaining the supporting documentation (evaluations, physician visits, etc.) is the responsibility of the student. For further information regarding documentation or for referrals to local professionals, contact the Disability Services Coordinator at the campus you intend to attend.
Request forms must be completed well in advance of enrollment as some accommodation requests may take six weeks or more to be arranged. Davenport will attempt to provide accommodations in a timely manner; however, it is the student's responsibility to submit this form and proper documentation in advance of the semester for which accommodations are requested. Accommodations will not be made retroactively.
After the request and documentation are reviewed by the Disability Services Office, the Disability Services Coordinator will meet with the student to discuss any need for additional documentation, approval of accommodations as well as necessary paperwork related to receiving services. The Disability Services Coordinator will act as a liaison with faculty and other campus departments to assure compliance with accommodation requests.
Students should not contact faculty or request accommodations from them prior to completing this form and meeting with the Disability Services Coordinator.
All disability-related documentation is treated as medical information and is secured separately from academic records. This information is shared only on a limited, need-to-know basis within the institution. The student has the right to determine with whom to disclose his/her disability.
It is acceptable for Davenport University to require documentation of disabilities when a student with a disability requests accommodation in regard to that disability. Davenport University requires all students to complete an Accommodations Request Form and the appropriate Verification of Disability form(s)(downloadable forms below). Please note that neither an IEP (individual education plan) nor an SOP (summary of performance) is an acceptable form of documentation.
Physical Disability: When physical disabilities are at issue the information on the Verification Form for Physical Impairment/Disabilities, Hearing Impairment/Deaf Disabilities, Visual Impairment/Blind Disabilities, Chronic Health Disabilities, or Acquired Brain Injuries/Disabilities must describe the disability and the limitations and recommend specific accommodations.
Learning/Psychological Disability: In order to expedite requests for accommodation, the Verification Form for Learning Disabilities, Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) or Psychological Disability must include the following documentation:
- For a Learning Disability or Attention Deficit Disorder, and for Psychological Disability, the form must prepared by a licensed professional qualified to make such a diagnosis. The person completing the form must have firsthand knowledge of the student’s condition and must be an impartial professional who is not related to the student.
- Include testing procedures followed, instruments used to assess disability, test results and an interpretation of test results; reflect the individual’s present achievement level, be as comprehensive as possible, adequately assess cognitive abilities and learning potential, and be based on evaluation that has been completed or substantially updated within three years of the student’s request for services.
- A diagnosis of a Learning Disability/ADD or Psychological Disability must still meet the threshold showing a substantial limitation of a major life activity.
All Disabilities: The requesting student shall authorize Davenport University to release pertinent records to the Student Access Manager who shall interpret these documents for Davenport University if accommodations are requested.
Students with approved disabilities will be provided with effective, reasonable accommodations and/or services that will allow them to complete all course work and degree requirements, including internships or externships. An effective reasonable accommodation may or may not be the student's first choice. Mitigating factors that the student must provide or take responsibility for will also be considered in determining whether the student has a covered disability and any need for accommodation. Accommodations will not be retroactive.