How Can You Request Accommodations for a Disability?
If you’re an accepted student who has already paid your admissions deposit and needs an accommodation due to a disability, we’ve got you covered. Just follow these simple steps:
1) Provide Documentation of Your Disability
First things first, we’ll need some current and relevant documentation that confirms your disability. This could include educational or medical records, reports, or assessments from healthcare professionals, teachers, or the educational system. We understand that everyone’s situation is unique, so the documentation’s relevance and value may vary. Sometimes, we might even need additional documents to better understand your needs.
What Information Do We Need?
To get started, we’ll ask for the following information:
- A clear statement identifying your disability.
- Details on how the diagnosis was made.
- The date when you were diagnosed.
- The name and qualifications of the person who evaluated you.
- A description of your current functional limitations.
- Any recommendations for accommodations or services that could help you.
2) Set Up a Meeting with Disability Services
Next, let’s have a chat! Schedule a meeting with our Disability Services team. During this meeting, we’ll review your documentation, discuss the accommodations you’re looking for, and make sure you get the green light for the appropriate accommodations. Remember, you’ll need to request accommodations each semester to keep them up-to-date.
For accommodations related to non-academic matters, like housing, we may also involve other relevant campus personnel, such as the Dean of Students, to ensure we’re meeting all your needs.
What If You Need to Appeal a Decision?
In case we determine that a requested accommodation isn’t feasible, don’t worry! We’ll get in touch with you within seven business days in writing. Together, we’ll explore alternative accommodations that could better suit your disability-related needs. If you’re not happy with the alternatives or none are available, we’ll provide a verbal explanation and written notification of the denial, along with the reasons. You’ll also be informed of your right to appeal the decision, and we’ll explain how to go about that.
All appeals are carefully reviewed by our ADA/Section 504 Compliance Officer or their designee. If your appeal is denied, we’ll give you a written explanation of the reasons for the denial.
What if You Face Disability-Related Discrimination or Harassment?
If you believe you’ve experienced discrimination or harassment based on your disability, we take that very seriously. You can report such incidents following VSCS policy 311. For more information on this policy and the reporting process, check out the VSCS Policy 311 Resource and Reporting Guide for Incidents of Harassment and Discrimination. We’re here to support you every step of the way.
What is the Procedure for Requesting Accommodations?
If you are an accepted student who has paid your admissions deposit and plans to request accommodations and services because of a disability, please follow these procedures:
1) Provide current and relevant documentation verifying your disability.
Documentation may include educational or medical records, reports, and assessments created by health care providers, school psychologists, teachers, or the educational system. This information is inclusive of documents that reflect education and accommodation history, such as an IEP, Summary of Performance (SOP), and teacher observations. IEP’s and 504 plans are not applicable in the postsecondary context but, if provided, they must show the current impact of the condition and identify a connection between the disability and the accommodation(s) requested. Documentation will vary in its relevance and value, depending on the original context, credentials of the evaluator, the level of detail provided, and the comprehensiveness of the narrative. Additional documentation may be requested.
What information should be included?
At a minimum, the Office of Disability Services requests the following information:
- Diagnostic Statement identifying your disability
- A description of the diagnostic methodology used
- Date of diagnosis
- Name and qualifications of the evaluator
- Description of the current functional limitations
- Recommendations for accommodations/services
2) Meet with Disability Services.
You should schedule a meeting with Disability Services to go over your documentation, discuss the requested accommodations, and secure approval for appropriate accommodations. You must request accommodations from Disability Services each semester to receive updated accommodations.
For non-academic accommodation requests, such as requests related to housing, the Coordinator of Disability Services may seek input from the Dean of Students, the Dean’s designee, or other personnel, as appropriate.
What is the Disability Accommodation Request Appeal Procedure?
If Disability Services determines a specifically requested accommodation is unreasonable, Disability Services will contact the individual, in writing, within seven (7) business days of its determination and engage in an interactive process with the individual to determine if there are alternative accommodations that might effectively meet the individual’s disability-related needs.
If the individual is unwilling to accept any alternative accommodation offered by Disability Services or there are no alternative accommodations available, Disability Services will provide a verbal explanation and written notification to the individual of the denial, the reasons for the denial, the right to appeal the decision, and the procedures for that appeals process. The notification shall be in writing and made within seven (7) business days of the notification from the individual of their unwillingness to accept any of the alternative accommodations offered or the determination that there are no alternative accommodations available.
All appeals are reviewed by the Vermont State University ADA/Section 504 Compliance Officer or their designee. If the appeal is denied, the Vermont State University ADA/Section 504 Compliance Officer or their designee shall provide written notification of the denial to the individual and a written explanation with all of the reasons for the denial.
What is the Disability Related Discrimination and Harassment Procedure?
VTSU Disability Related Discrimination and Harassment Procedure
If a student believes that they have been discriminated against or harassed on the basis of a disability, the student may file a report pursuant to VSCS policy 311. For additional information about Policy 311 and the report process.
Links:
Contact Us
DisabilityServices@VermontState.edu
Castleton and Killington
Gerry Volpe
Director of Disability Services
Vermont State University, Castleton
87 University Drive
Castleton, VT 05735
Phone: 802.468.1428
Fax: 802.468.1205
Gerard.Volpe@VermontState.edu
Schedule a meeting!
Johnson and Online Students
Pamela Billings, M.A., CCC-SLP
Coordinator of Disability Services
Vermont State University, Johnson
337 College Hill Road
Johnson, VT 05656
Phone: 802.635.1214
Fax 802.635.1454
Pamela.Billings@VermontState.edu
Schedule a meeting!
Lyndon
Margaret Wald
Coordinator of Disability Services
Vermont State University, Lyndon
1001 College Road
Lyndonville, VT 05851
Phone: 802.626.6438
Fax: 802.626.6474
Margaret.Wald@VermontState.edu
Schedule a meeting!
Randolph, Williston, Dental Hygiene Online, Nurse Re-entry, ADN, PN, & Online BSN Programs
Kathleen Mason
Coordinator of Disability Services
Vermont State University, Randolph
124 Admin Drive
Randolph Center, VT 05061
Phone: 802.728.1337
Fax: 802.728.1260
Kathleen.Mason@VermontState.edu
