Accommodation Procedures & SDS Registration

A student establishes eligibility by submitting the appropriate written documentation to the office of Student Disability Services (SDS).

Reasonable accommodations are determined through individualized interview with the student as well as review of diagnostic data and history.  Students who wish to request accommodations must give written permission for SDS to inform professors and other relevant university personnel that he/she is a person with a documented disability.

Once a student with a disability is enrolled in courses, the following sequence of events should occur in order to receive eligible accommodations:

The professor receives written notification from the office of Student Disability Services.  The letter notifies the professor that the student has a disability that must be accommodated.  Due to confidentiality issues, specific information about the disability is not generally included.  The letter simply lists the accommodations that have been discussed with the student and approved by SDS.  A professor is only required to make available the accommodations that are delineated within the letter of notification issued by the office of Student Disability Services.

It is the student’s responsibility to inform SDS promptly when additional accommodation letters need to be sent due to a course schedule change, instructor change, or if enrolled in a class with multiple instructors.

Students who wish to request accommodations are asked to give at least one week advance notice to allow time for the necessary arrangements to be made. Otherwise, accommodations may not be able to be delivered in a timely manner.  Although every attempt will be made to honor requests made on short notice, requests made with less than one week notice increase the likelihood that the necessary space, equipment, and resources needed may not be available.

It is always the student’s right to refuse to request accommodations.  However, a professor is not liable if the student fails to make timely arrangements and then performs poorly in the course.

If a problem develops, immediately notify SDS at 317-940-9308.  If, as the semester progresses, the student feels additional accommodations are warranted, the student should contact SDS at 317-940-9308.  Unless otherwise notified, the assumption will be made that the semester is progressing successfully.

Butler 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 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.  Under these laws, no otherwise qualified individual with a disability will be denied access to or participation in services, programs, and activities at Butler University.

Summary of Procedure for Students

  • Submit documentation.
  • Discuss eligible accommodations with SDS.
  • Sign permission to inform university personnel.
  • Accommodation letter received by university personnel.
  • Request accommodations and give one week advance notice.

If at any time you have questions or concerns, please contact Student Disability Services, in Jordan Hall 136, by phone at 317-940-9308, or by email at sds@butler.edu.