Disability Services

Under the provisions of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), students with disabilities have the right to equal access to programs, courses, services and activities offered through Davenport University. Students who have self-identified, provided documentation of disability, and requested reasonable accommodations are entitled to receive approved modifications of programs, appropriate academic adjustments or auxiliary aids that enable them to participate in and benefit from all educational programs and activities while still completing all course and degree requirements.

Policy on Disability Documentation
It is acceptable for Davenport University to require documentation of disabilities when a student with a disability requests accommodation in regard to that disability. When physical disabilities are at issue, a physician's statement will usually be sufficient. The statement must describe the disability and the limitations and request specific accommodation.

In order to expedite requests for accommodation, documentation for students with learning disabilities must include the following:

1. Be prepared by a professional qualified to diagnose learning disabilities, including but not limited to a licensed physician, licensed psychologist or learning disability specialist;
2. Include testing procedures followed, instruments used to assess disability, test results and an interpretation of test results;
3. Reflect the individual's present achievement level, be as comprehensive as possible, adequately assess cognitive abilities and learning potential, and be based on evaluation that has been completed or substantially updated within three years of the student's request for services.
4. A diagnosis of a learning disability or ADD/ADHD must still meet the threshold showing a substantial limitation in a major life activity.

The requesting student shall authorize Davenport University to release pertinent records to a learning disability specialist who shall interpret these documents for Davenport University if accommodations are requested.

Students with covered disabilities will be provided with effective, reasonable accommodations that will allow them to complete all course work and degree requirements, including internships or externships. An effective reasonable accommodation may or may not be the student's first choice. Mitigating factors that the student must provide or take responsibility for will also be considered in determining whether the student has a covered disability and any need for accommodation.