Accessibility Services

Lindenwood University complies with the American with Disabilities Act by making our programs and services accessible to students with disabilities. Student Academic Support Services (SASS) ensures that these students receive assistance by providing auxiliary aids and accommodations. We strive to give students an equal opportunity to succeed in earning their degree.

Accommodations are approved for qualified students with a variety of disabilities, including but not limited to the following:

• Attention deficit disorder
• Learning disabilities
• Mobility impairment
• Hearing loss
• Visual impairment

Students with physical, sensory, medical, psychological, or other long term temporary impairments may receive services. Because of the age of some campus buildings, they may not fully accommodate students with mobility issues. We will move classrooms for these students to an accessible building.

Reasonable accommodations are provided on an individual basis and are determined based on submitted documentation as well as discussion with students. Accommodations will reflect the diagnosis provided in your documentation.

To receive accommodations students will need to complete the following:

• Submit the Accessibility Application.
• Provide recent medical documentation.
  • Documentation should speak to the barrier caused by the disability. Common sources of documentation include IEP/504s, psycho-educational evaluations, or letters from a provider.
• Have a meeting with our office to discuss specific accommodations and implementation.
• Students need to request accommodations before the beginning of each semester/quarter and whenever a class change occurs. Until the student requests accommodations for the semester, accommodations will not be provided, and they are not retroactive.

If you need housing accommodations due to a disability, we suggest applying for accommodations at the same time that you complete the housing application. This process can take time, so the sooner the better!

To guarantee space and have your accommodations applied before room selection, you should complete the  housing contract/housing profile and have your accommodations approved by the Accessibility Office before April 1.

Steps:

• Complete the Housing Application
• Have your provider complete the medical provider form (or submit a letter which provides the same comprehensive information)
• Set up a meeting to discuss request

Housing accommodations address barriers to sharing a room or bathroom, mobility-related barriers, or concerns related to management of a medical condition. They are focused on allowing the student to use the room as a place to sleep and maintain hygiene. Housing is not intended to be a place to study. If you are concerned about having a quiet place to study, please talk with our office or the library about options!

Accommodations are focused on providing the student with an experience as similar to their peers as possible, so single rooms are rare. While completing the process, consider what items or supports you might need if your request is not approved. Please also make the room selection that would best fit your needs when you complete the housing contract. This helps housing have an accurate count of students. Housing will offer you a new placement that fits your accommodations, if approved.

An Emotional Support Animal differs from a Service Animal in that it does not perform a task, but its presence provides comfort, routine, or some other important support to your disability. ESAs are not held to the same behavioral standards as Service Animals, but are also not allowed outside the students’ room.  If you are uncertain which type your animal is, please consult the ESA/Service animal policy or talk with our office!

To apply for an ESA:

• Fill out ESA Application
• Have your provider complete the ESA Medical Provider Form
• Set up a meeting with our office to discuss your request

Please NOTE: This process must be completed and residential life office must have provided confirmation that all appropriate paperwork has been completed before your ESA is allowed on campus. Your animal WILL NOT be allowed on campus until all steps of the process are completed.

Service Animal Notification

Lindenwood students with a Service Animal are encouraged to connect with our office so that we may assist with communicating with professors and planning ahead for the semester. Students who live on campus are required to notify us of a Service Animal so that we may coordinate with Residential Life.

To inform us of the presence of a Service Animal, complete the Service Animal Notification Form.

Students with food allergies or disability-related dining concerns are encouraged to connect with our office by filling out the Dining Application.

To establish accommodations:

• Fill out Dining Application
• Have your provider complete the ESA Medical Provider Form
• Set up a meeting with our office to discuss your request

Please note that exemptions to the meal plan must be processed by the 2^nd week of classes. The accessibility office  suggests that you apply early to allow for your request to go through the process before classes start.

Some long-term temporary accommodations, such as cancer, injury, or prolonged illness, may qualify you for accommodations. In those cases, the process is the same. In most cases, injury or illness that clears up within two weeks does not qualify for accommodations – in this case make sure to communicate with your professors. Pregnancy does not qualify for accommodations, but pregnancy-related conditions (gestational diabetes, pre-eclampsia, etc.) may. This would be separate from the adjustments made due to Title IX. You can connect with our Title IX office.

We remain committed to continuing to engage in the interactive process. Should you wish to discuss this determination, you may choose to appeal the request. To request an appeal students must read through the steps of the appeal process.

Appeal Process

Appeals are not new or additional reviews, and are not granted based solely on a student’s disagreement with an accommodation decision. Students who wish to formally appeal an accommodation decision, may do so under specific conditions. Grounds for an appeal must be based upon one or more of the following conditions:

• Procedural error: A procedural error(s) occurred during the original accommodation review process that may have impacted the outcome of the review.
• New information: Specification of new information, not available at the time of the initial review that, if introduced, may have altered the outcome of the review. A detailed account of the new information must be clearly described and be accompanied by supporting documentation from a certifying professional such as a treating physician, current therapist, or similar person. Information is not considered new that existed at the time of the original accommodation request but was voluntarily withheld during the initial review.
• Evidence of discrimination or bias on the part of the individuals making the decision, or an inability to consider the accommodation request objectively and completely.
• A letter of appeal must be submitted within 10 business days of the receipt of the decision letter. In addition to the factual information requested, the appeal letter must include:
  • a statement explaining the grounds for the appeal;  
  • relevant supporting information and documentation; and  
  • a statement of the desired outcome of the appeal request.  
    Once the appeal is received:  
  • The Director, Student Support Services (Jeremy Keye) will consider the appeal.
  • Copies of all pertinent documentation will be made available to the Director, Student Support Services ([email protected]) at the time of the review. Students should be aware that documentation that contains confidential student information will be viewed by the Director who will hold this information in strict confidence.  
  • The Director, Student Support Services will review the documentation, consult with the appropriate offices, and make a determination to either uphold or recommend a modification of the original decision.
  • The student will be notified of the outcome of the appeal within 15 business days of receipt of its initiation.  
  • Your records related to this accommodation request will be maintained in accordance with applicable privacy requirements.

The decision to modify or uphold the original decision is final. No student will be subjected to negative consequences or suffer retaliatory action as a result of filing an appeal.