D. Accommodations

Rochester University is committed to treating all individuals within the university, including those with disabilities, in a fair and equitable manner. It is the policy and practice of the university to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Under these laws, students with disabilities have equal access to courses, programs, services, activities, and facilities available through Rochester University.

Reasonable and appropriate accommodations are determined on an individual basis, based on the documentation provided as well as collaboration with the student. Accommodations provide access to programs, but accommodations do not guarantee success in meeting program requirements. In conjunction with this, accommodations will not be provided that would constitute a substantial change or alteration to an essential element of a course or program.

In order to effectively serve students and comply with legal obligations, it is imperative that all instructors and staff understand the procedures that need to be followed regarding students with disabilities or students who report that they have a disability.

The student bears the responsibility to request accommodation(s) and provide documentation of his/her disability, including a specific diagnosis with evidence to support and identify specific limitations. After acceptance to Rochester University or following an injury or a diagnoses of a disorder, the student should contact accommodations@RochesterU.edu to initiate the official procedure needed to establish eligibility for support services.

Instructors will be notified about student accommodations via an e-mailed memo from the accommodation officer. Due to confidentiality concerns, specific information about the disability is not included. Instead, the e-mailed memo notifies the instructors that the student has a disability that needs to be accommodated and delineates accommodations(s) that have been discussed and approved.

The responsibilities of the instructor include the following:

• Discuss with the accommodation officer any concerns related to the accommodation(s) or arrangements requested by the student.
• Determine the conditions under which an exam is to be administered (e.g., open book, use of notes, computer with word processing, including spell check, formula sheet, calculator, scrap paper, dictionary).
• Provide appropriate accommodations, either personally, by making arrangements with the accommodation officer, or by making arrangements with the Academic Testing Center.
• Assure timely delivery of the exam, along with all necessary instructions and materials for proper administration, if a student's exam is to be administered outside of class. The faculty member may also make arrangements with the student for the delivery and return of the exam.
• Assure the confidentiality of information regarding students with disabilities.
• Direct all questions and concerns to accommodations@RochesterU.edu.