Frequently Asked Questions

1 . Whom do I contact to start the Disability Determination process?

Most students in the University can contact the Coordinator for Disability Services or the Assistant Dean of Students in the University. Students in the Graham School of General Studies can contact the Assistant Director, Degree and Credit Programs (see ACCOMMODATION PROCESS).

2. What should I expect as a University student with a disability? How do laws pertaining to student accommodation differ between K-12 and higher education? 

Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA):
This legislation applies to the opportunities that must be available to students enrolled in Kindergarten through 12th Grade. In IDEA, the school maintains responsibility for determining which students need special education. The school must identify students who need help, through testing and observation. Schools are responsible for diagnosing the specific problem students might be having. Public schools are responsible for providing an appropriate education for each student, based on an evaluation and an Individualized Education Plan (IEP). Eligibility for special education services in public schools is diagnosis driven (i.e., the student must be diagnosed as having one of eleven specified conditions). In K-12, parents and teachers advocate for the academic needs of students.

The Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Section 504 /The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA):
This legislation applies to the opportunities that must be available to students choosing to attend an institution of higher education. Under ADA, students pursuing a post-secondary education are responsible for documenting and requesting accommodations for their specific needs. Students are responsible for identifying themselves as students who have a disability. The student must provide the University with appropriate documentation regarding their disability and recommended accommodations. Students are responsible for requesting specific academic adjustments or accommodations according to their documented needs. Eligibility for reasonable accommodations in post-secondary institutions is driven by the federal definition of disability as a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits or restricts the conditions, manner, or duration under which an average person in the general population can perform a major life activity, such as walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing, learning, working, or taking care of oneself. In a university setting, students must advocate for their own academic needs.

3. I received an academic modification or adjustment from my previous school, but my documentation is outdated. Will I still be eligible to get an reasonable accommodation at Chicago?

Temporary accommodation may be given when a student has requested accommodation due to a disability; has previously received disability accommodation in an educational setting; and the process to determine the appropriate accommodation at the University cannot be completed before the start of a quarter. (see DISABILITY ACCOMMODATION PROTOCOL)

4. If I am provided a provisional academic modification or adjustment in the classroom, for how long is it effective?

Usually, a provisional academic modification or adjustment is for one quarter only, though in exigent circumstances with prior approval, provisional academic modification or adjustment may continue into the next quarter. Receipt of provisional academic modification or adjustment does not imply that the student is eligible to receive accommodation. (see DISABILITY ACCOMMODATION PROTOCOL)

5. What is a reasonable accommodation?

It is easier to say what is NOT reasonable. The following three kinds of accommodations that are not considered reasonable:

(1) if making the accommodation means making a substantial change in an essential nature of a program or element of the curriculum;

(2) if it poses an undue financial or administrative burden and

(3) if they create a direct threat to the health or safety of others.

6. Are the same academic modification or adjustment provided for all students with disabilities?

No. Reasonable accommodation are determined on a case-by-case basis, although some auxiliary aids and services are examples of accommodation that are likely to be extended to students.

7. After an academic modification or adjustment is extended, how do students access their auxiliary aids and services?

If a disability determination is made the area Dean of Students will facilitate the implementation of approved auxiliary aids and services.

8. If I receive an reasonable accommodation what are my next steps?

After reasonable accommodations are approved, the student should take the following steps:

 

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