Special Accommodations

The University of Louisiana at Monroe strives to serve students with special needs through compliance with Sections 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) and the ADA Amendments Act of 2008. These laws mandate postsecondary institutions provide equal access to programs and services for students with disabilities without creating changes to the essential elements of the curriculum. While students with special needs are expected to meet our institution's academic standards, they are given the opportunity to fulfill learner outcomes in alternative ways. Examples of accommodations may include, but are not limited to, testing accommodations (tests read aloud, extended time), sign-language interpreters, permission to record lectures, and note-taking assistance.

The Self-Development, Counseling, and Special Accommodations Center acts as the point of entry for individuals who have documented learning disabilities, psychological disorders, or medical conditions, including vision loss or blindness, deafness, mobility impairments, and chronic health issues. The student must 1) complete and submit a Special Need Request – Intake Form, 2) complete and submit a Release of Information Form for Academics or Residential Life 3) submit disability documentation that substantiates the requested accommodations. Accommodation decisions are made on an individual basis and are determined according to the documentation provided by the student. The Special Accommodations Coordinator works with the student to evaluate the effects of the student’s disability in relation to the curriculum and academic standards and/or, if applicable, their residence hall setting. During this process, faculty and other campus representatives may be consulted.

Academic accommodation letters will be emailed to the student’s Warhawk email address. The student is then responsible for providing the letter to their professor(s). Students seeking academic accommodations for future semesters must complete a new Release of Information Form in order to obtain an updated accommodation letter pertinent to the specific semester they are enrolled. Recommended residence hall accommodations will be forwarded to the Director of Residential Housing. The documentation and accommodation letters are retained in the student’s file with the Self-Development, Counseling, and Special Accommodations Center.

Kimberly Storm, Special Accommodations Coordinator, Email: storm@ulm.edu

Contact: (318) 342-5220 Web site: https://www.ulm.edu/counselingcenter/special.html

 

Special Accommodations Student Handbook .docx

Documentation Guidelines

Student Responsibilities .docx

Testing Accommodations and Procedures

 

Online Forms 

Special Needs Request - Intake Form

Release of Information Form - Academics

Release of Information Form - Residential Life

Elevator Access Request Form

Voter Declaration Form

 

Elevator Access and Mobility Impaired Parking

Students with special needs who require the use of an elevator can have their identification (CWID) cards activated by the Self-Development, Counseling, and Special Accommodations Center. The student’s activated CWID will allow them access to elevators in the academic buildings. In order to receive this service, students will be required to present documentation validating their disability, whether permanent or temporary.

The University Police Department assigns parking privileges to students seeking mobility impaired parking. Students requiring this service may refer to their website for details on the application process.

 

Emotional Support Animal Protocol

It is recognized that emotional support animals can provide valuable support to students with properly documented disabilities. Since the animal is not a service animal as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, the University needs to review documentation to determine if the request for this accommodation is a reasonable and appropriate accommodation under the Fair Housing Act.

A requesting individual should provide the Special Accommodations Coordinator appropriate documentation by July 1 for the Fall semester and November 1 for the Spring semester.

Download the Process for Requesting an Emotional Support Animal .docx

Download the ESA Medical Document Request Form .docx

 

Grievance and Appeal Procedures

Any student who disagrees with the academic or housing accommodation(s) that have been determined should first speak to the Director of the Self-Development, Counseling, and Special Accommodations Center. The student should express his/her concerns and be prepared to offer alternative solutions. If, after consulting with the Director, there still is not satisfaction on the part of the student regarding the proposed accommodation(s) or the provision of the accommodation(s), the student should speak with the Vice President for Student Affairs. If the student still is not satisfied with the proposed or provided accommodation(s), the student may file a formal grievance with the Chair of the Council on Students with Special Needs. The Director will assist with this process. The Chair, with assistance of the Disability Determination Subcommittee of the Council, will evaluate the eligibility of the student to receive the requested accommodations. Upon validation of the student's request, the Chair will notify the Director in writing of the decision.