Capital University welcomes students and employees with disabilities to be an integral part of the educational community.  In order for all members of the community to access and participate in our programs, Capital provides reasonable accommodations, such as support services and auxiliary aids, to qualified individuals with documented disabilities.

Procedures for Employees

Faculty, staff and hourly employees with temporary or permanent disabilities can make a request for workplace accommodations through the Coordinator of Disability Services.  In most cases documentation from licensed, medical professionals is required to secure such accommodations as the relocation of classroom assignments, modification of work hours, etc.  Persons who are denied accommodations can appeal the decision to the University Provost or appropriate Vice President.

Procedures for Students

Students may confidentially request accommodations by providing documentation of their disability to the Coordinator of Disability Services.  Such documentation often involves recent IEP information and information from licensed practitioners such as Psychologists, Counselors, Social Workers, etc.  Working as a team, students, faculty and Coordinator can then determine the most appropriate initial accommodations, and any subsequent modifications.

Students have a choice of how they would like to inform new instructors of their accommodations.  They may tell their instructors they are registered with Disability Services, and then mention the accommodations they have.  Or the Coordinator of Disability Services can write a memo to each instructor with the same information.  In any event, students are expected to make timely and appropriate disclosures and requests (at least six weeks in advance of a course, workshop, program, or activity for which accommodation is requested) or as soon as realistically possible.

Persons who are denied accommodations may appeal the decision to the University Provost.

Consultation

The Office of Disability Services regularly consults with interested students who have disabilities about academic, social and personal issues.  Students are encouraged to take an active role in their experiences at Capital, becoming confident and assertive in their dealings with people on or off campus.  Students with personal issues may also be referred to the University Counseling Service or other off campus service providers.  Professional consultation on teaching/learning strategies for students with disabilities is available to all faculty and staff from the Office of Disability Services.  The Coordinator also consults regularly with University Counsel to ensure compliance with all applicable legal requirement.

Accessibility

Qualified persons with disabilities are not denied the benefits of or excluded from participation in University programs or activities due to inaccessible or unusable facilities.  Each program or activity is operated so that it is accessible to qualified persons with disabilities in terms of clearly marked entries, exits, and bathroom facilities.  Accessibility may also be enhanced for qualified individuals by: relocation of classes, or services to more accessible buildings; delivery of health, advisory, and/or support services at alternative sites; and temporary modification of equipment/facility.  Capital University maintains a regular program of facilities evaluation and upgrading so that all members of the campus community may be better served.

Admission

Qualified persons may not, on the basis of disability, be denied admission to, enrollment in, or participation in Capital University degree programs or activities, or be discriminated against in admissions or recruitment unless the program or activity is directly related to licensing requirements.
1. The number or proportion of persons with disabilities who will be admitted or enrolled is not limited solely on the basis of disability.
2. Inquiries as to whether applicants for admission are disabled are not made except for purposes of providing appropriate accommodation and for programs that are designed for meeting licensing requirements. It is the responsibility of the student to make special needs known at least six (6) weeks in advance of a course, workshop, program or activity for which accommodation is sought or as soon as realistically feasible.  Confidential post-admission inquiries to the student regarding disabilities that may require accommodation are permissible.
3. Students with documented disabilities who do not meet the ACT and/or GPA requirements for admission, are invited to submit additional documentation to the Coordinator of Disability Services and allowed to go before an admission's committee to determine whether their true academic abilities were under-represented by the ACT/GPA requirements.


Academic Requirements

Academic requirements are modified, as necessary, to ensure that they do not discriminate against students with disabilities so long as accreditation of the classes will not be at risk. These modifications can not affect the substance of the educational programs or compromise educational standards, nor shall they intrude upon legitimate academic freedom. Modifications often include changes in length of time permitted for the completion of degree requirements (including credit load), substitution of specific courses required for the completion of degrees, and adaptation of the manner in which specific courses are conducted.


Examinations and Evaluations

Examinations or other procedures for evaluating students' academic achievement can be modified to better evaluate the achievement of students with disabilities.  The results of the evaluation should represent the student's achievement in the program or activity, rather than reflecting the student's disability.  It is the student's responsibility to request test accommodations at enrollment time or at the beginning of the program/course.

Testing accommodations, if requested in a timely manner, may include: large printed material preferential seating (front, etc.); oral tests; alternate format; taped tests; transcribers; extended test time; readers; environment free of distractions.

Academic Support Services

Qualified persons may request educational support services through the University.  Some services such as academic coaching and tutoring are available to all students through the Center for Excellence in Learning and Teaching (CELT).  Other services to qualified students with disabilities may include: handicapped parking, registration assistance, referral to appropriate on- or off-campus resources, services or agencies; notetaker services; arrangements for specialized auxiliary aids, including Books on CD's, large print, Real Time Captioning, interpreters etc.

IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE INDIVIDUAL STUDENT TO REQUEST ACCOMMODATION OR AUXILIARY AIDS AT LEAST SIX (6) WEEKS BEFORE CLASSES, PROGRAMS, OR ACTIVITIES BEGIN.

The use of tape recorders, braillers, dog guides or other adaptive devices in the classrooms or campus buildings is permitted.  Rules that have the effect of limiting the participation of qualified students in educational programs or activities will not be adopted unless the program or activity is directly related to licensing requirements.

Questions may be directed to the Coordinator of Disability Services by calling 614-236-6327 or by emailing thopewoo@capital.edu.