Disability Support Services

The Office of Testing and Disability Support Services welcomes you to UAHT! One of our main purposes is to facilitate appropriate accommodations for students with disabilities that ensure their equal access to the collegiate experience. This section provides references and contact information for the various facets of the new student experience and details the registration process with Disability Support Services in order to facilitate any disability-related services and accommodations a student may need once admitted to UAHT.

Pre-Admissions Meetings

The Director of Testing and Disability Support Services is available by appointment to meet with prospective students prior to their admission to the College. Pre-admissions meetings may cover such topics as the registration process, documentation requirements, types of services available, and transition issues to college.

Students are encouraged to begin the registration process with Disability Support Services in the early stages of their college planning, so that as much notice as possible is provided to make needed arrangements prior to enrollment. Ideally, students are advised to complete the registration process with the office no later than two weeks prior to their first semester at the College. Students who choose not to self-identify when they enter the College do not forfeit their right to receive accommodations at a later date. However, the College is not obligated to provide accommodations or services for students until they are fully registered with Disability Support Services and have officially notified their instructors (or other College officials) of their need for accommodation as per procedure.

The admissions process for students with disabilities at UAHT is the same as that for all students. For admissions information, contact Enrollment Management.

Students with Disabilities at UAHT have the RIGHT to:

  • Equal opportunity to learn and participate in the programs, activities, services and facilities of the College through the provision of reasonable accommodations, academic adjustments, and/or auxiliary aids and services.
  • Confidentiality of information regarding their disability, except as disclosure is necessary to acquire accommodations, facilitate services and/or is required by law.
  • Accessible formats of information and means of communication.
  • File a complaint, in accordance if they believe they have been subjected to discrimination on the basis of disability or have been denied access or accommodations as required by law.

Students with Disabilities at UAHT have the RESPONSIBILITY to:

  • Meet and maintain essential qualifications and standards for College courses, programs, services, and activities.
  • Follow published procedures for obtaining reasonable accommodations at the College.
  • Provide comprehensive documentation that details the manner in which their disability may impact their participation in programs and activities of the College, and that supports each accommodation request.

UAHT has the RIGHT to:

  • Identify essential functions, abilities, skills, knowledge and standards for courses, programs, services, activities and facilities, and to evaluate all students equally on these bases.
  • Request and receive current documentation that supports accommodation requests.
  • Select among equally effective accommodations which to provide for students and do so in a timely manner.
  • Refuse an unreasonable accommodation request that imposes a fundamental alteration on a course, program or activity of the College.
  • Deny a request for an accommodation if documentation does not support the request, or if documentation is not provided.

UAHT has the RESPONSIBILITY to:

  • Provide information to students in accessible formats.
  • Provide and facilitate reasonable accommodations for students in courses, programs, services, activities and facilities of the College.
  • Ensure that programs, services and activities are available and usable in the most integrated and accessible settings possible.
  • Maintain appropriate confidentiality of records and communications.

 

Adjusting to a university setting presents many challenges for new students, especially for those with disabilities. UAHT makes every effort to offer equal educational opportunities for all students and is committed to improving the total college experience for students with disabilities.

Disability Support Services provides direct support for students with disabilities and training and educational resources to the college community as a whole.

Students who wish to request academic accommodations for on-campus and/or online classes must first self-identify to Disability Support Services and register with the office for services, and submit disability documentation.

While there are no registration deadlines, and students can register with Disability Support Services and request accommodations at any point during the semester; accommodations are not retroactive. We encourage students to register with Disability Support Services as soon as possible.

As part of the registration process, students with disabilities who are seeking accommodations at UAHT are required to submit documentation to the Disability Services that supports their request for accommodations, in accordance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and/or the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendment Act (2008). The documentation provided must substantiate the impact of the disability on a major life activity of the student (such as walking, writing, eating or learning). We want to understand the relevant impacts of your disability on tasks like communication, reading, writing, technology, the physical environment, classroom and laboratory and online learning, etc. Information on the impacts of physical (mobility, dexterity, endurance, etc.), perceptual, cognitive (attention, distractibility, communication, etc.), and behavioral abilities may be helpful as well. Sources of information used for determining a disability and/or accommodations may include documentation from qualified evaluators or professionals, a student’s self-report, and/or direct observation and interaction with the student.

In general, documentation should be provided by an appropriately credentialed professional in reference to the condition in question. Documentation may include assessments, reports, and/or letters from qualified evaluators, professionals, or institutions. Common sources of documentation are health care providers, psychologists, and diagnosticians. Copies of accommodations approved from a previous school(s) such as accommodation agreements/letters, 504 plans, IEPs, and/or standardized exams can also be included as additional supporting information. All documentation will be mined for pertinent information, in conjunction with all of the available information, to determine if the student’s accommodation request is reasonable and appropriate.

Suggested Documentation Elements:

  1. Typed on letterhead, dated, and signed by a qualified professional.
  2. State the disability or disabilities.
  3. Describe the impact or symptoms of the disability.
  4. If appropriate, discuss the severity and/or expected progression.
  5. If appropriate, list medication side-effects.
  6. Current and/or past accommodations.
  7. Any recommended accommodations.

Disability Services is responsible for determining the acceptability of documentation and reserves the right to require additional information as needed. Disability Services maintains the right to reject documentation that does not verify a student’s disability or justify the need for reasonable accommodations. Generally, documentation costs are borne by the student, as are costs of obtaining additional documentation requested by Disability Services. Disability Services also maintains the option of seeking a second, professional opinion regarding documentation submitted. If Disability Services desires a second professional opinion on documentation presented, the College bears the cost. Documentation accepted by Disability Services is valid as long as a student is continuously enrolled at the College. However, if there is a break in the student’s enrollment, updated documentation may be necessary. All documentation of disabilities is received and held solely by Disability Services and is treated as confidential. The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, commonly known as FERPA, is a federal law designed to protect the privacy of student education records. With few exceptions, all student education records are considered confidential and may not be released without written consent of the student.

Identifying reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities is an INTERACTIVE PROCESS between the student, Disability Services, and campus officials charged with providing the College’s programs, services, and activities.

Disability Services assists College officials to determine reasonable accommodations for students, taking into consideration the student’s self-report, professional observations, and recommendations, including those from the physician, psychologist or other clinician, that diagnosed the student’s disability. Disability Services also takes into account reasonable accommodations the student used in previous or similar educational settings and gives consideration to student preferences for reasonable accommodation. In addition, the Director consults with appropriate College officials who have expertise in the areas the student is seeking reasonable accommodations. The Director meets individually with students to discuss reasonable accommodations. Although some persons may have similar disabilities, each request for reasonable accommodation is considered on a case-by-case basis. It is important to note that accommodation requests which fundamentally alter the nature of the curriculum or a course learning objective are not considered reasonable under the applicable federal laws.

Students are required to initiate the process of receiving needed accommodations each semester. Specifically, the student's responsibilities are to:

  1. Request accommodations with Disability Services via email or in person.
  2. Meet with each instructor (preferably during office hours) to discuss how accommodations will be implemented with the instructor of the course, immediately after the Faculty Notification Letter has been emailed. Disability Services is available to offer suggestions to the student and faculty member. For online courses, students may communicate with the instructor via telephone and/or email if an in-person meeting is not feasible.
  3. Remind the instructor of test accommodations at least one week (7 days) before scheduled tests.
  4. Report any problems with accommodation implementation to Disability Services IMMEDIATELY.

For a student who is registered with Disability Services and needing changes/additions to accommodations:

  1. Student must schedule an appointment to meet with the Director to discuss changes
  2. Direcor reviews request for changes in accommodation and makes changes (as applicable) in accommodations.
  3. Director notifies student of request status.
  4. Student submits request for updated Faculty Notification Letters to be sent to instructors (if during a semester).
  5. Director emails updated Faculty Notification Letters to instructors with copies to student.

Students registered with Disability Services may request accommodations at any point during the term, but accommodations are only provided from the date faculty are emailed with an official Faculty Notification Letter from Disability Services, and the student has met with faculty to discuss accommodation implementation, subject to other reasonable notification policies (e.g., such as in the case of tests, faculty are to be given 7-days notice to make necessary arrangements).

Note: If students requst certain accommodations or auxiliary aids (such as books in alternative media or text, American Sign Language Interpreters, Transliterators or Transcription services), they may be asked to provide additional information to Disability Services prior to beginning of the semester.

UAHT offers reasonable accommodations to students with disabilities on an individualized basis. The following are examples of some accommodations that have been provided to students in the past. Please note that accommodations are afforded to students based on specific need and supporting documentation. Further, these examples are not an exhaustive listing of all possible reasonable accommodations that may be implemented at the College.

Access to Lecture Content

Students may be permitted to audio record class lectures with their own device. Lecture recordings can be accessed as many times as needed and can be paused to take notes. Some instructors routinely record and share class lectures.

In some instances, a student may request a copy of peer notes, if determined as a reasonable and appropriate accommodation. Peer notes may not be reasonable or appropriate when materials/resources are provided that are considered equivalent to a note-taker. Examples include but are not limited to PowerPoints, instructor notes, and class recordings.

The process for requesting note-takers begins when students complete an official Faculty Notification Letter request (accommodation packet), and selecting “note-taker” as an accommodation for classes as needed. Subsequently, the Director will contact faculty members asking them to make a class announcement to recruit a note-taker. Interested individuals will contact the Office of Testing and Disability Services directly (not contact the professor). This will be worked out collaboratively with the student, the DSS Director, and/or the instructor. The student with a disability is responsible for checking and maintaining contact with the DSS office regarding note-taker status.

Academic Aids

In certain instances, students may be permitted to use calculators, dictionaries, word processors, spell checkers, and/or grammar checkers for in-class and out-of-class work.

Accessible Classrooms

Most areas on the UAHT campus are accessible to individuals who use wheelchairs. For those areas which are not, the Office is able to contact the applicable college (with adequate notice) to move the class/activity and/or make alternative arrangements to assure that the class or event is accessible.

Accessible Course Documents

Students may secure course materials in accessible formats (Braille, Large print, accessible digital e-text). Further, some computer labs on campus have assistive technology programs with reader capabilities.

Assistive Computer Technology

Assistive technology software and equipment are located in several areas on campus. Assistive applications vary from lab to lab, but many have screen reader and magnification capability.

Classroom Assistance

In-class assistants are provided through Disability Support Services (DSS) to assist students with disabilities with laboratory-related academic tasks only. Classroom assistance does not include personal care services, testing assistance, or support for non-laboratory coursework.

Testing Accommodations

Test accommodations may include extended time (50% or 100% extended time, based on need), reduced-distraction test environments, auditory administration of tests (via assistive technology or reader), scribes or use of dictation software, use of computer and/or spell check for written tests, and others. Test accommodations are provided within each department, or with Testing Services, dependent upon the faculty/department resources. Students should discuss test accommodations with their instructors at the beginning of each term, as arrangements may differ for each course. NOTE: Testing Services specifically proctors examinations for students who use assistive technology, readers, and/or scribes. Students are obligated to comply with Testing Services test proctoring guidelines to ensure smooth delivery of services and to maintain the integrity and security of tests.

Interpreters

Sign Language Interpreters, are available for students who need these for real-time communication access to access the College environment. Early registration with Disability Services (at least 4 weeks notice) is strongly encouraged.

Library Access & Assistance

Library staff is available during business hours to ensure access to library collections and services. Special services include research assistance, telephone reference, retrieval of materials, photocopying assistance, library orientation, special check-out arrangements, and extended loan periods for reserved materials. The libraries also have assistive computer technology available to patrons with disabilities.

Services of a Personal Nature

Services of a personal nature are not considered reasonable accommodations in postsecondary education and are not provided by UAHT. Examples of personal services include but are not limited to tutoring (beyond what is offered to all students at the College) and personal attendant care.

Please review the information below for guidance on how to utilize test/quiz accommodations. If you still have questions or concerns, contact the DSS Office via email steven.ogden@uaht.edu, phone 870-722-8247, or stop by the office  SC 105 for further assistance.

Using Test/Quiz Accommodations – What to Do

Step 1: Get registered with the Disability Support Services (DSS) Office for academic accommodations.

Step 2: EACH SEMESTER Request continuation of accommodation from DSS through your UAHT Student email to notify your instructors of your approved academic accommodations.

Step 3: Contact your instructors before your exam(s) (1 week recommended) to discuss how your test accommodations will be implemented. You do NOT have to disclose the nature of your disability.

How test and quiz accommodations are provided varies based on course format and exam design (e.g., online, paper-pencil, in-person). Some accommodations may already be built into the course design, while others may require coordination with the instructor.

It is important for students and instructors to discuss exam structure in advance to ensure accommodations are implemented appropriately.

Important Note to Students

If your approved accommodations are NOT implemented, notify the DSS Office at steven.ogden@uaht.edu and/or your instructor(s) immediately. (For Reference: ADA/504 Grievance Procedure)

How In-Class Test Accommodations May Be Implemented

Instructor-Proctored Exams

Instructors may provide accommodations within their department whenever possible to ensure access to a proctor familiar with the course and exam.

Example: Distraction-Reduced Environment

Appropriate locations may include a separate classroom or conference room with limited distractions. Inappropriate locations include hallways, stairwells, shared offices, or busy areas with frequent interruptions.

Departmental Testing Spaces

Some academic departments maintain designated testing spaces for exams with or without accommodations.

UAHT Testing Services

The UAHT Office of Testing Services may proctor accommodated in-class exams on behalf of instructors when applicable.

If your instructor uses Testing Services, you must:

  • Request an exam appointment using your UAHT student email in advance (1 week recommended; 2 weeks for final exams).
  • Schedule exams at a time that does NOT conflict with other classes and is approved by your instructor.
  • Reference course syllabi and schedule exams as early as possible each semester.
  • Monitor your UAHT email for exam-related updates.
  • Notify the proctor immediately of any testing or accommodation concerns.

For scheduling assistance, contact Testing Services at steven.ogden@uaht.edu or 870-722-8247.

How Online Course Exams May Be Implemented

Most accommodations for online exams can be programmed directly by the instructor and do not require on-campus proctoring. Students may choose an appropriate distraction-reduced testing environment.

Extended time and other accommodations may be set within the course platform by the instructor.

Students must still request accommodation letters and communicate with instructors several days before each exam (1 week recommended).

Online Proctored Exams

  • Inform your instructor of the accommodations you plan to use prior to the exam.
  • Follow all exam readiness and technology requirements provided by the course or instructor.

On exam day, remind the proctor (if applicable) of your accommodations and any approved assistive technology.

If technical issues arise, notify the instructor immediately.

If your approved accommodations are NOT implemented, contact the DSS Office at steven.ogden@uaht.edu or 870-722-8247 immediately.

Assistive Technology (AT)

Assistive technology includes tools and software that enhance learning, working, and daily living. UAHT provides access to various assistive technologies, including screen readers, and magnification tools.

For accommodation-related questions, contact the DSS Office