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June 21, 1995

To: Vice Presidents, Deans, Directors, and Department Chairs
From: President Robert L. Caret
Subject: Accommodation For Disabled Studennts (Supersedes PD 91-06)

Purpose

It is the purpose of this Presidential Directive to assure that San José State University continues to comply with all Federal and State legislation and California State University policies regarding the provision of services to students with disabilities.

This Presidential Directive has been developed in response to Section 504 of the Federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973; State of California ACR 201 (1976); ACR 3 (1985); AB746 (1987); the California State University AAES 89-07 "Policy for the Provision of Services to Students with Disabilities," and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.

History:

Since 1972 the University has had a program that provides counseling and support services for students who have physical, emotional, learning and other verified disabilities. To assist the University in making reasonable accommodations, the Disability Resource Center provides diagnostic assessment, reader services, specialized test taking arrangements, transcription services, and both note-takers and sign-language interpreters. In addition, the Disability Resource Center provides disability-related counseling and advising, and access to computers and other technological assistance adapted to disabilities.

General Policy

It is the policy of San José State University that otherwise qualified students who have disabilities shall be given academic adjustments and auxiliary aids as necessary to ensure access to all SJSU services, programs and activities. SJSU accommodates students with disabilities on an individual basis, based on their specific needs.

SJSU will timely provide academic adjustments and auxiliary aids to students with disabilities as necessary to ensure access to all SJSU services, programs and activities. These accommodations may include exam accommodations, readers, library assistants, interpreters, note-takers, and additional time to complete assignments. Accommodations will not be provided if they fundamentally alter the nature of the program. Students requesting accommodations are encouraged to identify their needs as early as possible to the Disability Resource Center.

Guidelines:

In San José State University's provision of services to students with disabilities the guiding principle is that of "reasonable accommodation": that is, the University is required to make adjustments to the known physical and mental limitations of otherwise qualified disabled students, unless it can be demonstrated that a particular adjustment or alteration would impose undue hardship on the operation of the program or course curriculum. The intent is to "level the playing field," not to guarantee the outcome of the student's educational endeavor.

The University views the provision of reasonable accommodation as a cooperative effort, involving faculty, staff, and students.

1. It is the responsibility of students with disabilities to do the following:
• Identify themselves and provide verification of their disability to the Disability Resource Center.
• Provide testing and evaluation results before requesting an accommodation for learning disabilities.
• Consult with the Disability Resource Center regarding specific accommodation requests.
• Take, in a timely manner, the recommendations of the Disability Resource Center for accommodation to the office or faculty member from whom accommodation or support services are requested.
• Abide by departmental, college, and University policies and academic regulations, as all students are expected to do.
2. It is the responsibility of the Disability Resource Center to do the following:
• Keep confidential records for each disabled student.
• Provide disability-related counseling and advising.
• Provide access, where feasible, to computers and other technological adaptations to disabilities.
• Identify and recommend reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities, including verified learning disabilities.
3. It is the responsibility of academic departments to do the following:
• Make reasonable accommodation for students with disabilities, including verified learning disabilities.
• Consult with the Director of the Disability Resource Center regarding specific recommendations for accommodation for an individual student, particularly if special test-taking procedures or adaptations for testing are involved.

Conflict Resolution:

Students with disabilities who wish to appeal a denial of requested accommodation should make an appointment with the Director of the Office of Equal Opportunity, in Administration 112, San José State University. If informal resolution is not achieved, the student may file a complaint under the provisions of PD 95-02, "SJSU Discrimination Complaint Procedure," within 180 days after he or she knows or could be expected to have known that an action of discrimination has occurred.