Academic Accommodations
Policies and Procedures
Guidelines:
AD/HD
Physical Disabilities
Psychiatric Disorders
General Information for Students and Faculty
Testing in the Disability Services Office
Policies and Procedures
Students with a diagnosed disability may be entitled to
accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). To
obtain accommodations at Furman University, students should:
1. Contact the office of Disability Services and provide
current documentation of a disability.
Click on the
guidelines listed
below for a specific area of disability.
Guidelines for Documentation of Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
Guidelines for Documentation of Learning Disabilities
Guidelines for Documentation of Physical Disabilities
Guidelines for Documentation of Psychiatric Disorders
Please note that an Individualized Education Plan (IEP)
does not provide enough information to meet the above requirements. The
Disability Services Coordinator can answer questions and give detailed
information about what documentation is acceptable.
2. The Disability Services Coordinator interviews new students seeking accommodations.
3.
A university designated professional with appropriate expertise
evaluates the documentation to determine if it is complete and if it
supports the need for accommodation. If the documentation meets the
necessary criteria appropriate accommodations are approved.
4.
Each term accommodation letters are issued to students for discussion
with professors. Accommodations become effective once the letters are
signed by both parties.
If you have questions at any time, please contact the Disability Services Coordinator.
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General Information for Students and Faculty
Accommodation Letters
Students are encouraged to obtain their letters from the Disability Services office during the first week of classes. E-mails are sent to professors when students obtain their letters. Accommodations become active when the student discusses the letter with the professor and both parties sign it. After the letter is signed, the professor and student each keep a copy. The student should also return a copy to the Disability Services office.
Professors may receive letters late in the term because:
- Students may wait to see if accommodations are needed in a particular class.
- Documentation may be received late.
It should be noted that
accommodations are not retroactive.
Confidentiality
A student's disability and accommodations are confidential and should be treated as such. Testing and note-taking arrangements should be discussed privately with the student.
Note Taking
Students receiving note-taking assistance are encouraged to
find their own note taker or they may ask the professor to announce to
the class that a note taker is needed. This announcement should be made without revealing the name of the student needing notes.
Note takers should be instructed to immediately register with
the Disability Services office where they may choose between receiving
a stipend or a certificate acknowledging their service as a volunteer.
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Testing in the Disability Services Office
Scheduling Tests
All testing should be scheduled at least
two days in advance. This is to be done by the student after the details have been discussed with the professor. Due to testing space for only six students,
we cannot guarantee availability without advance notice, nor can we proctor tests for students who are not registered with our office. To schedule you may call or e-mail Gina Parris or Betty Raby. Office hours, telephone numbers and e-mail addresses are listed below.
Final Exams for students who receive extended
time as an accommodation will take place in three different
locations--Disability Services Office and two other rooms which will be
announced at a later date.
Final Exams are scheduled as follows:
8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. , 12:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m., and 3:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. This schedule accommodates the need for minimal distractions and lengthy extended time during finals.
Receiving and Returning Tests
The professor may bring or e-mail the test to our office, or the test may be sent with the student in a sealed envelope. Professors should indicate any special instructions they may have concerning the test (i.e., start time
, use of notes, use of calculator, etc.).
Disability Services should be informed of the preferred option for returning the test:
- sealed envelope returned by student
- sealed envelope returned by campus mail
- envelope picked up from Disability Services office by professor or professor's designee
Additional Information
During registration students receiving extra time for tests
should leave adequate time between classes to allow for this
accommodation.
Furman no longer offers preliminary testing for disabilities. Referrals for testing in the Greenville area are available through the Disability Services office. Students are responsible for the cost incurred for this evaluation.
Disability Services is located in the Administration Building, Room 207. Office hours are 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Monday-Friday.
864-294-2320 (Phone)
864-294-2322 (Phone)
864-294-3044 (Fax)
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