How to Submit Documentation

Butler University is committed to treating all individuals within the University in a fair and equitable manner. Furthermore, it is the policy and practice of the University to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Under these laws, no qualified individual with a disability will be denied access to or participation in services, programs and activities of Butler University.

In compliance with the above federal laws and applicable regulations, appropriate academic adjustments and/or reasonable modifications will be provided to qualified individuals with properly documented disabilities. A qualified individual with a disability is a person who with or without reasonable accommodations can perform the essential requirements of a program or a course of study. The essential elements of an academic course or program need not be fundamentally altered in order to accommodate an individual with a disability.

The primary purpose of Student Disability Services is to facilitate the education of students with disabilities by acting as a point of coordination for support services. Any student with a documented physical or mental impairment that limits one or more of life's major activities may qualify. Students who feel they may require assistance through this Office should establish eligibility in the following manner:

Disclose the Disability

• It is the student's responsibility to contact Student Disability Services to report the disability. Ideally, this should be done as soon as possible after acceptance to the University or immediately following an injury or a diagnosis of a disorder. Reporting the disability to any other department or representative of the University will not initiate the official procedure needed to establish eligibility for support services.

Submit Documentation

Documentation must be in written form.

• Typically, documentation should be current within three to five years. However exceptions are sometimes necessary depending upon the individual case. In some situations, verification is requested every 12 months. Up-to-date information outlining the student's current level of functioning is often essential in assessing the current need for specific accommodations.
• Documentation should be in accordance with University Documentation Guidelines which are specific to the particular disability. These guidelines are available upon request.
• Documentation must be based on an evaluation from the appropriately credentialed professional.
  • Example: a physical condition is generally diagnosed by a physician, ophthalmologist, audiologist, physical therapist, etc.
  • Example: a diagnosis of a learning disability should typically come from a professional who is considered to be trained and qualified to evaluate specific learning disabilities in adolescents and adults: psychologists, learning disabilities specialists, doctors, etc.
  • Example: a student with an emotional illness should be diagnosed by a psychologist, psychiatrist, or other qualified licensed mental health provider.

If There Is No Current Documentation

• Review this policy and the University Documentation Guidelines (available upon request) with the professional who will be conducting the evaluation. In this way, the evaluation can be individualized to fit the student's diagnostic needs as well as to include University requirements. The evaluation is to be done at the student's own expense.

Requests for Accommodation

• Receipt and review of documentation must occur before requests can be considered.
• Diagnosis (if found) should be specific in nature. Recommendations for adjustments (if found to be needed) can be very helpful if they are directly linked to the diagnostic data.
• Requests will be considered on an individualized case by case basis. Because "not all students with a similar handicap benefit equally from an identical auxiliary aid or service" ( U.S. Department of Education, 1991) the documentation will serve as a foundation to substantiate the need for the requested adjustment.

Plan of Service

• If the documentation substantiates the need for accommodations, a plan of assistance will be developed.

Implementing Modifications

• If the student wishes to access the accommodations, he/she must grant written permission for the Office of Student Disability Services to issue a letter of notification to pertinent faculty members. This letter verifies that the student has a documented disability. It also delineates the suggested accommodations.
• Students who are requesting accommodations should allow one week advance notice to ensure appropriate and timely consideration of accommodations. Otherwise, there is no guarantee that the accommodations can be considered on a timely basis.
• Support services do not include services/equipment of a personal nature.

The disclosure of information regarding a disability is voluntary and will not result in discriminatory action. The submitted information is regarded as strictly confidential and will be shared with other University officials only on an as needed basis and with student or parental permission (depending on the student's age).