POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES

Accommodation Request Form

Miami Regional University (“MRU”) is committed to providing equal access of its academic programs to all qualified students. MRU provides support, resources and academic accommodations in accordance with federal and state statutes and regulations to MRU students. This policy establishes guidelines for qualified current and prospective students with disabilities to seek academic accommodations at MRU. Please complete and submit the form below in order to begin the process for accommodation. If you have questions or need assistance completing this form, please contact the ADA Officer at [email protected] or contact 305.442.9223 X 6033

Policy:

1. MRU complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (the “ADA”), the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and other applicable disability discrimination laws. MRU is committed to providing reasonable accommodation(s) to qualified disabled applicants and learners in MRU programs and activities as required by applicable law.
2. The determination of reasonable accommodation(s) for qualified students with disabilities, and compliance with the ADA and the Rehabilitation Act, are the responsibility of the MRU ADA Officer.
3. Potential and current students needing accommodation(s) or qualified students with disabilities and compliance with the ADA and the Rehabilitation Act are the responsibility of the MRU ADA Officer. The ADA Officer is the principal point of contact for all students with disability questions or concerns.
4. Accommodations that fundamentally alter the institution’s educational standards, programs, or curriculum and/or present an undue financial or administrative burden to the institution will not be provided.
5. The ADA Officer will provide the student(s) with the process for accommodation related concerns.
6. MRU complies with applicable laws concerning the confidentiality of disability-related health information, and it is committed to ensuring that all information regarding student health remains appropriately confidential; only the ADA Officer has access to student health information submitted as part of the accommodation request process.

Procedure:

Prospective & enrolled students may initiate the accommodation process at any time during their enrollment at MRU and ideally should submit the Accommodation Request Form as soon as they become aware of the need for accommodation. Except for accommodations related to the MRU admissions process, the accommodation process for prospective students will not be concluded until prospective students are admitted to MRU and formally enroll.

1. Submitting an Accommodation Request: To initiate the accommodation process, all prospective and current MRU students (hereafter, “students” or “student”) must complete the secure online Accommodation Request Form located at Accommodation Request Form

   Students unable to access the Accommodation Request Form may contact the ADA Officer at: ADA Officer, Miami Regional University, 700 South Royal Poinciana Blvd. Miami Springs, FL 33166 OR contact by Phone: 305.442.9223 at extension 6033, via Fax: 305.455.6703 OR Email at: [email protected]

2. Initial Meeting and Supporting Documentation: Once the ADA officer receives the Accommodation Request Form, a requesting student receives a confirmation email which notifies the student of the next steps in the accommodation process. This message includes the process of identifying appropriate accommodation and request for any additional information to be submitted by the student to support the request for accommodation including, but not limited to:

   • Diagnosis, onset, and treatment
   • History of accommodations
   • Anticipated academic barriers and the MRU academic environment
   • Requested accommodations
   • Use of assistive technology
   • Review of submitted documentation (if already submitted)
   • Rationale for reasonable accommodations determined during the meeting (if determined at that time).

3. Documentation Supporting Need for Accommodation:
   MRU recognizes that collecting and presenting medical documentation may be a hardship for some students. However, the information documenting the condition(s) is required to assist in determining the accommodation.

   Generally, documentation should provide information on the impact of the disability to assist in identifying the appropriate accommodation. Documentation may include reports, assessments, and/or letters from qualified evaluators, professionals, and/or physicians. Copies of accommodation letters from previous school(s), Individualized Education Plans (IEPs), and/or 504 plans can also be included as additional supporting documentation. Documentation will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Depending on the date of a student’s last health assessment and/or type of documentation submitted, the ADA Officer may request updated information.

   Suggested documentation elements include, but are not limited to, the following:

   • Typed on letterhead, dated, and signed by a qualified professional;
   • State the disability or disabilities;
   • Describe the academic impact, severity, and symptoms of the disability;
   • If appropriate, expected duration and/or progression of the disability;
   • Side-effects of medication (if applicable);
   • Current and/or past accommodations; or
   • Recommended accommodations

Information Release Form. An information release form is only required when The ADA Officer needs to consult with the health care professional. The ADA Officer will inform the student if the document is needed. This form will authorize a student’s health care professional to release pertinent disability-related information to MRU. The ADA Officer will only use this information to evaluate requests for accommodation(s).

Identifying and Implementing Reasonable Accommodation(s). Once sufficient documentation verifying a student’s need for accommodation(s) is received and evaluated, The ADA Officer will continue the interactive process with the requesting student to identify and reach an agreement on the accommodation(s) that will be implemented.

• Students should note that accommodation will not be provided if the accommodation fundamentally alters the nature of the MRU programs, courses, services, or activities, causes undue financial or administrative hardship, or poses a direct threat to the health and safety of the requesting student or others.
• Commonly utilized accommodations in the MRU environment include, but are not limited to, the following, in no particular order:
  • Extended test time during assessments;
  • Reading aloud during objective assessments;
  • Additional and/or lengthened off-camera breaks
  • Reduced course load (part-time term);
  • Food, drink, and medication during assessments; or
• After identifying appropriate accommodation(s) with the requesting student, the ADA Officer will document the specific accommodation(s) that will be provided, notify the appropriate university staff/departments of the authorized accommodation(s), and ensure that the accommodation(s) are provided as agreed. Students should check their MRU email regularly for updates regarding accommodation requests.
• If a student has concerns about accommodation once it has been authorized and implemented (e.g., the accommodation does not adequately meet the student’s needs), The ADA Officer can assist by facilitating communication between the student and the appropriate MRU staff to clarify and resolve the situation.

MRU strives to meet student accommodation requests in a prompt, reasonable, and effective manner. Students should keep in mind, however, that certain accommodation may require several days to several weeks to implement. If a student has concerns about an accommodation once it has been authorized and implemented (e.g. the accommodation does not adequately meet the students’ needs), the ADA Officer can assist by facilitating communication between the student and the appropriate MRU staff to clarify and resolve the situation.

Confidentiality: MRU complies with applicable laws concerning the confidentiality of disability-related health information and it is committed to ensuring that all information regarding student health remains appropriately confidential; only the ADA Officer or designee has access to student health information. The ADA Officer retains student health and accommodation information for the length of a student’s enrollment at MRU. If a student wishes to have a record deleted during his or her enrollment, he or she must send a written request to the ADA Officer. Students may authorize the release of disability information to people or organizations outside of MRU. Before providing such authorization, students should understand the nature of the information to be released and the purpose.

MRU may infrequently be required by law to disclose disability information without student consent. Information contained on this form will be kept confidential and will only be revealed by the institute to those individuals who have a need to know (for example to assist in providing you with an accommodation) or if otherwise required by law. Your accommodation request will be reviewed only when the necessary medical documentation is submitted.

Definitions
Disability: The term “disability” means, with respect to an individual: 1) a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, 2) a record of such an impairment, or 3) being regarded as having such an impairment.

Interactive process: A flexible, interactive conversation that may be held between MRU and a student to identify possible options for reasonable accommodation(s).

Qualified student with a disability: A student with a disability who meets academic and technical standards requisite for admission or participation in the institution’s educational program or activity.

Reasonable accommodation: Academic adjustments or modifications of policies, practices or procedures, and the provision of auxiliary aids and services that are necessary to afford a qualified individual with a disability an equal opportunity to participate in the institution’s programs or activities and which do not substantially alter the institution’s educational standards or curriculum.

Requesting Accommodation(s): MRU encourages current and prospective students needing accommodation(s) and/or resources to contact the MRU ADA Officer for assistance. The MRU ADA Officer will respond to requests for accommodation(s) in accordance with the following policies and procedures. Students and prospective students must complete the accommodations request process outlined below before accommodation(s) will be provided.