Through the provision of academic support services focused on promoting self-advocacy, resourcefulness, and independence, Woodbury’s Office of Disabilities and Accessibility Services strives to support, empower, and integrate students with disabilities into all aspects of campus life to help them access a comprehensive University experience.
Woodbury University is committed to providing students of all abilities access to all University programs, services, and activities as required by Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA). To make this possible, Woodbury’s Office of Disabilities and Accessibility Services (ODAS) grants reasonable accommodations to qualified students with disabilities.
As a part of Student Affairs, ODAS works with University Administration, faculty and staff to foster campus-wide awareness and understanding of issues related to disability, accessibility, and equity.
ODAS works collaboratively with the campus community to remove barriers and promote an engaging learning environment, where students with disabilities can utilize their skills to pursue and attain their academic and personal goals.
The ADA defines a “disability” as a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, and a person with a disability has a record of such an impairment, or is regarded as having such an impairment.
Disabilities include but are not limited to physical, learning disabilities and ADHD, mental health, and chronic health conditions. Temporary medical conditions are also considered as a disability. Although U.S. law does not require students to report disabilities, individuals must disclose and document disabilities to the University’s Coordinator of Disabilities and Accessibility Services in order to receive disability-based accommodations.
Accommodations are adjustments which allow students with disabilities equal access to educational opportunities. Accommodations are not intended to alter or lower expectations or standards of course offerings or assessments, rather they are designed to assist students in learning the same course expectations and material as their peers who do not have a disability.
It is the student’s responsibility to identify the need for accommodations and to provide appropriate documentation for all requests. The Coordinator of Disabilities and Accessibility Services determines which accommodations are appropriate on a case-by-case basis. This process includes reviewing the documentation provided and discussing individual student needs. Accommodations which fundamentally alter the nature of a program or are financially or administratively unduly burdensome, are not considered reasonable accommodations.
Reasonable accommodations and auxiliary services granted by Woodbury University might include:
A student who is not registered with the Coordinator of Disabilities and Accessibility Services will not be granted retroactive accommodations which such as retakes of exams and/or assignments based on newly reported disabilities.
Students who wish to be considered for reasonable accommodations must submit current documentation from a professional who is appropriately licensed by the state to diagnose medical, psychological and/or learning disabilities. Additional information might also be required on a case-by-case basis. Documentation will only be accepted from practitioners who are licensed in the United States. Documentation from practitioners who are only licensed outside the U.S. will not be accepted.
The professionals conducting assessments and rendering diagnoses must have comprehensive training for the specific disability being addressed.
All diagnosticians must be impartial individuals who are not family members of the student.
Submitted documentation must contain the following:
The University requires that submitted documentation be no older than three years; however, older documentation of conditions that are permanent or non-varying might be acceptable. The University reserves the right to request additional information to determine eligibility, as well as updates as deemed necessary.
If it is determined that the existing documentation is incomplete or inadequate for ascertaining the extent of the disability or the need for reasonable accommodations, the University may require additional documentation. The cost of obtaining documentation is borne by the student.
Please consult with the Coordinator of Disabilities and Accessibility Services for specific documentation guidelines related to particular disabilities. An Individualized Education Program (IEP) or a 504 Plan is not sufficient documentation of a disability.
In order to document psychological disabilities, please:
If it is determined that existing documentation is incomplete or inadequate for ascertaining the extent of the disability or the need for reasonable accommodations, the University may require additional documentation. The cost of obtaining documentation is borne by the student.
Because the impact of many psychological conditions can change over time, annual evaluations may be required.
Here’s what you need to know about documentation for an accommodation.
Documentation for a learning disability must include:
Please consult with the Coordinator of Disabilities and Accessibility Services for specific documentation guidelines related to particular disabilities. An Individualized Education Program (IEP) or a 504 Plan is not sufficient documentation of a disability.
Documentation for a psychological disability must include:
If it is determined that existing documentation is incomplete or inadequate for ascertaining the extent of the disability or the need for reasonable accommodations, the University may require additional documentation. The cost of obtaining documentation is borne by the student.
Because the impact of many psychological conditions can change over time, annual evaluations may be required.
Documentation for a physical/medical disability must include:
International students requesting accommodations will be required to have their documentation reviewed and approved by a Designated School Official (DSO).
The University has an internal grievance procedure for resolution of complaints alleging violations of disability policy. Students may also use this grievance procedure to appeal the University’s decisions regarding requests for accommodation.
To file a grievance, students should contact the Associate Dean of Students, located in the Whitten Student Center
Step 1: Watch the instructional video created for first-time Accommodate users (coming soon).
Step 2: Complete the Disabilities Services Registration Form by accessing the link below. Once this form is submitted, you will receive a confirmation email. Once you have submitted the Disabilities Services Registration Form, the Coordinator of Disabilities and Accessibility Services will contact you to set up a virtual or in-person meeting. Meetings take place between the hours of 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.
Disabilities services registration form
Step 3: Obtain current documentation of your disability from a qualified medical doctor, neuropsychologist, psychologist, or specialist. All documentation must include a description of your disability, along with an explanation as to how your disability limits your participation in courses, programs, services, jobs, activities, and facilities of the university. The Office of Disabilities and Accessibility Services urges all students to provide comprehensive documentation based on adult assessment instruments. Documentation must be submitted to the Office of Disabilities and Accessibility Services before accommodations can be granted.
Students and providers will need to complete this form and submit all pertinent documentation.
Step 4: Meet with the Disabilities Coordinator to discuss your specific needs and determine reasonable accommodations. The following questions will be answered in the process:
Standard procedures for auxiliary services (e.g., alternate text formats and test-taking facilitation) will also be discussed.
Step 5: Watch other instructional videos on how to sign into the Accommodate platform to access your accommodation letters, schedule meetings, and apply for accommodations each semester (coming soon).
Step 6: Communicate all questions and concerns with the Disability Coordinator.