UW Colleges Academic Policy Regarding Students with Disabilities (Sen£26)

Adopted by the Senate, September 20, 1997, p. 6, app. 3
Reorganized and Renumbered March 15, 2002
Revised by the Senate, January 18, 2006

I. Introduction

As required by the University of Wisconsin System Policy on Individuals with Disabilities, the Chancellor has designated the Office of Services for Students with Disabilities to coordinate the needs of students with disabilities. The Coordinator of Services for Students with Disabilities (CSSD) works with campus staff to arrange for student academic accommodations. To supplement the efforts of this office, the Dean at each College shall appoint a person as Campus Contact for Students with Disabilities (CC).

Any applicant for admission or matriculating student who has a documented disability shall be eligible to request a reasonable substitution of any requirement for admission or for an Associate Degree requirement, provided that the person's inability to meet the admission requirement or Associate Degree requirement does not constitute a fundamental alteration in the admission requirements or in the nature of the program. A student who has a documented disability may also request disability related services to enable the student to participate in the UW Colleges programs, services or activities.

II. Admission Decisions

Revised by the Senate, January 18, 2006

1. A written request for substitution of one or more requirements for admission to the institution shall be submitted to the UW Colleges Assistant Campus Dean for Student Services, or designee, following receipt of the letter of initial denial of admission. The student shall be informed that a decision for an accommodation based on a disability requires documentation of that disability.

   Persons who believe they qualify for substitutions of one or more admission requirements must make their request in writing, and provide documentation for such substitution. The documentation provided must substantiate that the disability can reasonably be expected to prevent the individual from meeting the applicable requirement(s). This documentation shall be appropriately current and prepared by a qualified professional. Individuals submitting information that is judged incomplete may be asked to provide additional verifying documentation. Individuals may be required to participate in additional evaluations needed to determine the individual's eligibility for an accommodation or what constitutes an appropriate accommodation. The written request for substitution of requirements must also include the following:

   • Identification of the disability that is the basis for the request.
   • Identification of the specified requirements for which substitution is requested.
   • Documentation that the failure or inability to meet the requirement(s) for which substitution is requested is related to the disability.
2. The applicant shall submit the documentation verifying his or her disability to the Campus Contact for Students with Disabilities (CC).
3. The CC then forwards the information to the Coordinator of Services for Students with Disabilities (CSSD). The CSSD determines whether the documentation establishes that the student is an individual with a disability and eligible for disability services.
4. The CSSD then contacts the Assistant Campus Dean for Student Services, or designee, with recommendations regarding admission accommodations for the applicant.
5. The Assistant Campus Dean for Student Services, or designee, makes the admission decision and informs the student in writing.

III. Disability Related Services

Revised by the Senate, January 18, 2006

Students with documented disabilities may be eligible for disability related services. Examples of disability related services include, but are not limited to the provision of a sign language interpreter, classroom note taker, extended examination time, assistive technology, course substitutions, or alternative examinations.

1. The student shall be responsible for making timely and complete disclosures of specific requests regarding disability services in order to enable the UW Colleges to provide an appropriate response. It is strongly recommended that requests for services be made at least 8 weeks prior to the date they would be needed in order to avoid delays which could affect participation in a program, service, or activity.
2. A written request for disability-related services shall be submitted by the student to the Campus Contact (CC), who shall instruct the student that a decision based on functional limitations as the result of a disability will require documentation of that disability and subsequent need for such services. Students are required to submit documentation verifying their stated disability and resulting functional limitations. This documentation shall be appropriately current and prepared by a qualified professional. Students submitting documentation judged to be incomplete may be asked to provide additional verifying documentation. Students may be asked to participate in additional evaluations as needed in order to determine their eligibility for accommodation services or to determine what constitutes an appropriate service.

3. The CC shall forward the written application for services and the documentation submitted by the student to the Coordinator of Services for Students with Disabilities (CSSD). The CSSD determines whether the documentation establishes that the student is an individual with a disability and eligible for disability services.

   If the student disagrees with the eligibility for accommodation services decision made by the Coordinator of Services for Students with Disabilities (CSSD), the student may appeal this decision in writing within 10 working days of receiving notification of the decision. The appeal process is initiated as follows:

   • First level of appeal: The student shall submit their petition in writing to the Campus Contact for Students with Disabilities (CC). The CC will forward the petition within 5 working days to the Disability Services Advisory Committee (DSAC). The DSAC will review the student's appeal and shall make a determination regarding eligibility for accommodation services, or the scope of the services, within 15 working days. The DSAC shall inform the applicant in writing of its decision.
   • Second level of appeal: If the student is dissatisfied with the decision of the DSAC, the student shall appeal the decision in writing to the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs of the UW Colleges, or designee, within 10 days of receiving the first appeal decision. The Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, or designee, shall make a final decision within 10 working days of the written appeal, and inform the student of the final decision regarding eligibility for accommodation services, or the scope of those services.
4. The CSSD determines whether there appears to be the need for disability-related services based on the presence of a disability and any resulting functional limitations. If so, the CSSD provides a written list of recommended disability services to the CC and student in the form of an Individualized Accommodation Plan. The CC in coordination with the student provides the Individualized Accommodation Plan to each instructor for whose course the student would like accommodation services.
5. If the course instructor determines that through provision of a recommended service there will be a core aspect of the course that will be compromised, in whole or in part, he or she shall discuss this disagreement with the CSSD and/or the CC. The course instructor shall then make a determination as to which recommended disability services he/she will not approve and shall notify the CSSD and/or the CC of this decision.
6. The CC and/or CSSD shall notify the student which disability services have not been approved.
7. If the student disagrees with the scope of the disability related services approved by the instructor, he or she may appeal the decision in writing within 10 working days of the receipt of the notification of the decision.

8. If an appeal is initiated, the disability related service(s) recommended by the CSSD shall be in effect on a temporary basis, until the appeal is resolved. The CC shall inform the student of the temporary nature of the services. The appeal process is initiated as follows:

   • First level of appeal: The student shall submit her/his written petition of the denied accommodation service to the Campus Contact for Students with Disabilities (CC). The CC will forward the petition within 5 days to the Disability Services Advisory Committee (DSAC). The DSAC shall review the student's appeal and shall make a determination within 15 days regarding the scope of the accommodation services. The DSAC shall inform the applicant, CC, CSSD, and instructor in writing of its decision.
   • Second level of appeal: If the student disagrees with the DSAC decision, she/he shall, within 10 working days of the receipt of the notification of the first appeal decision, petition in writing to the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs of the UW Colleges, or designee. The Vice Chancellor, or designee, shall make a final decision within 10 working days of the petition for appeal, and inform the applicant, CC, CSSD, and instructor of the final decision regarding the provision of the appealed disability services.

IV. Substitution of Associate Degree Requirements

Revised by the Senate, January 18, 2006

1. A written request for a substitution of an Associate Degree requirement based on an existing disability and its resulting functional limitation(s) shall be submitted by the student to the Campus Contact (CC) using the Substitution of Associate Degree Requirements Request form. The CC, shall then instruct the student that a decision based on disability requires documentation of that disability and subsequent need for substitution of degree requirement(s).
2. The student shall submit documentation verifying his or her disability and its resulting functional limitations to the CC. This documentation shall be appropriately current and prepared by a qualified professional. Individuals submitting information that is judged to be incomplete may be asked to provide additional verifying documentation. Students may be asked to participate in additional evaluations needed in order to determine the individual's eligibility for a service or to determine what constitutes an appropriate service. The student is responsible for making timely and complete disclosures of specific requests regarding Associate Degree substitutions to meet his or her particular needs in order to enable the UW Colleges to provide an appropriate and timely response.
3. The CC shall forward the initial request, the Substitution of Associate Degree Requirements Request Form, and supporting documentation submitted by the student to the Coordinator of Services for Students with Disabilities (CSSD). The CSSD determines whether the documentation establishes that the student is an individual with a disability and eligible for disability services.
4. The CSSD determines whether there appears to be the need for substitution of any Associate Degree requirements based on the student's stated disability and submitted documentation and shall accordingly forward a written recommendation to the CC.
5. The CC shall provide the CSSD's written recommendation to the campus Academic Actions Committee (AAC), which shall decide whether a substitution of any Associate Degree requirements will be allowed. The Academic Actions Committee shall consult with the CSSD or CC regarding the student's stated disability-related issues as they relate to the request for a course substitution.

• Apply Online
• UW Colleges Campus Climate Survey
• HELP Online
• UW-Extension
• Contact Us Today!