Disability Services

Accommodations for Students with a Disability

Whenever the need for a special accommodation or auxiliary aide is necessary, the department/area responsible for the program or service will work with the Office of Student Services to ensure that reasonable accommodations are made. Nevertheless, an academic unit is not required to fundamentally alter the nature of its academic program to accommodate students. These accommodations include academic adjustment and auxiliary aides necessary to ensure access to the university's overall education program in accordance with Section 504 of the Federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and ADA Amendments Acts of 2008.

The student is presumed to have independent living skills sufficient to provide for their personal needs on campus. If this is not the case, the student must, at their own expense, employ a personal attendant or mobility aide. Students requiring specialized medical care beyond that ordinarily offered through our Health Services clinic must be prepared to bear the expense of this care through a general hospital or a private physician/clinic of their choice.

It is the student's responsibility to provide diagnosis and supporting documentation to establish the severity of their condition and the implications on major life activities. Upon receipt of relevant documentation and assessment data, the student shall receive reasonable and necessary accommodation, including adjustments and aides

Accommodations for Students with a Disability

Whenever the need for a special accommodation or auxiliary aide is necessary, the department/area responsible for the program or service will work with the Office of Student Services to ensure that reasonable accommodations are made. Nevertheless, an academic unit is not required to fundamentally alter the nature of its academic program to accommodate students. These accommodations include academic adjustment and auxiliary aides necessary to ensure access to the university's overall education program in accordance with Section 504 of the Federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and ADA Amendments Acts of 2008.

The student is presumed to have independent living skills sufficient to provide for their personal needs on campus. If this is not the case, the student must, at their own expense, employ a personal attendant or mobility aide. Students requiring specialized medical care beyond that ordinarily offered through our Health Services clinic must be prepared to bear the expense of this care through a general hospital or a private physician/clinic of their choice.

It is the student's responsibility to provide diagnosis and supporting documentation to establish the severity of their condition and the implications on major life activities. Upon receipt of relevant documentation and assessment data, the student shall receive reasonable and necessary accommodation, including adjustments and aides

The ADA Defines an individual with a Disability as a person who:

  1. Has physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activates of that person
  2. Has a record of such an impairment, or Is regarded as having such an impairment
  3. Is regarded as having such an impairment

How to Request Accommodations

Students who are interested in learning how to request accommodations are encourage to contact the Director of Student Services to discuss the process. The process requires three steps to be considered.

  • Step 1: Complete the Request for Service Form

    Complete the Request for Service Form. This form is completed by the student and asks questions about the students background, their disability, and the specific request for accommodations.

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  • Step 2: Provide Documentation from a Licensed Professional

    • Psychiatric Disability Documentation Guidelines: If a student is requesting accommodation for a psychiatric disability, the student completes part of the form, but the second half contains guidelines for a licensed professional (counselor, psychologist, psychiatrist, etc.) to write a report on the student requesting service. Typically, a therapist needs to meet with a student more than one time before they are able to offer a diagnosis and recommendation. If the licensed professional is an on-campus provider, instead of having the therapist write a letter, a student may sign a release form with the therapist which allows the therapist to discuss the situation with Disability Services.

    • Medical Disability Documentation Guidelines: If a student is requesting accommodation for a medical disability, the student completes part of the form, but the second half contains guidelines for a licensed professional (medical doctor, nurse practitioner, etc.) to write a report on the student requesting service. If the licensed professional is an on-campus provider at the Health Center, instead of a letter, a student may sign a release form with the Health Center which allows the medical professional to discuss the situation with me.

  • Step 3: Schedule an Intake Interview

    Schedule an Intake Interview with the Director of Student Services. The intake interview provides the student an opportunity to share more about how their disability impacts major life activities, the types of barriers the student encounters as a result of their disability, and how requested accommodations might remove those barriers to provide equal access.

    Some additional forms may be needed for certain accommodation requests (see the Assistance Animal Request form).

Contact Us!

Brian Durick
 Director of Student Services

Email: bdurick@soka.edu
P: (949) 480-4018

E:
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Disability Services

1 University Drive
Aliso Viejo, California, 92656
United States