DISABILITY SUPPORT SERVICES (DSS)
POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
IDENTIFICATION OF STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES
Under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, individuals with disabilities are protected from discrimination and may be entitled to reasonable accommodations and equal access to programs and services.
It is the responsibility of a student who experiences a disability to initiate contact with and provide appropriate documentation to DSS.
DISSEMINATION OF INFORMATION
Disability Support Services notifies and informs students of its existence in the following ways:
1. DSS general contact information is available in a variety of campus resources including the campus telephone directory, student handbook, catalogue, course schedule booklets, and admissions materials.
2. Written materials outlining services are available from the DSS office, on the DSS website (www.uas.alaska.edu/dss), and other locations on campus. Copies of DSS Policies and Procedures and the University of Alaska Board of Regents’ Policy and Regulation on “Services for Students with Disabilities” are available on line and upon request from the DSS office.
3. Faculty are informed of the services provided by DSS on a regular basis.
4. Students who have a disability and have self-identified to DSS are informed verbally and by written materials of DSS services.
PROCEDURES FOR DISCLOSURE AND DOCUMENTATION OF DISABILITY
In order to receive academic support services from DSS, a student with a disability must meet with the Coordinator of Disability Support Services to discuss his/her individual needs. The following procedures are required to ensure appropriate academic accommodations are provided.
1. Students must complete an intake form.
2. Documentation of the disability is required. The documentation must be from a professional qualified in the diagnosis and treatment of the particular disability and needs to describe how the disability effects academic functioning.
3. Documentation should be current; however, discretion may be used in accepting documentation of conditions which are permanent or non-varying (e.g., a sensory disability).
4. Specific guidelines have been developed for the documentation of learning disabilities and Attention-Deficit/Activity Disorder (ADHD). Copies of these guidelines are available on line at the DSS website and upon request.
5. Services provided are dependent on the type of disability and the functional limitations experienced as a result of the disability. The documentation must demonstrate a need for the services requested.
6. Disability Support Services does not provide or bear the cost of any documentation evaluation/assessment.
7. Disability Support Services will provide reasonable, appropriate, and effective academic support services/accommodations that allow the student to have equal access to the academic environment. While consumer preference will be discussed and considered in determining appropriate services, DSS will make the final determination regarding the type of services provided. The type of services may or may not be the type preferred by the student/consumer.
8. DSS does not provide services of a personal nature (e.g., home work support, typing services, tutorial supports, personal care attendants, or individually prescribed devices).
RESOLUTION OF COMPLAINTS
1. A student who claims to have been subjected to discrimination based upon a disability, is dissatisfied with the recommended academic adjustments, and/or objects to the denial of services may initiate a formal complaint following the steps outlined in University Regulation 09.06.05. The student may contact Disability Support Services or the Vice Chancellor for Student Services for a copy of the Regulation.
ADDITIONAL PROCEDURES
1. Disability Support Services will investigate reports of service providers (e.g., readers, note takers) not performing their duties adequately and steps will be taken to rectify any problems.
2. In the absence of the Coordinator of DSS, primary responsibility for coordinating services will be reassigned to an appropriate staff person.
3. Advance notice of the accommodations needed is required to give DSS time to evaluate requests and coordinate services. If DSS does not receive advance notice, there will be a delay in the provision of services.
4. Students are provided Disability Support Services on a first come, first served basis.