Requirements:

Students with disabilities who seek accommodations from the University of New Haven must present, at their own expense, documentation from a licensed or certified professional (not related to the student) to the Accessibility Resources Center. Documentation should be current, but exceptions may be necessary dependent upon individual circumstances and the nature of the disability. Documentation will be used to determine eligibility for services and will also be used as a guide to develop an appropriate and supportive plan for the student.

Documentation, in general, includes the following:

• Identification of the nature and extent of the disability.
• Specific information on the functional limitation as related to the academic environment.
• A description of the current course of treatment including medical side effects.
• Prognosis for the disability.
• Recommended reasonable accommodations.

It is in the student’s best interest to provide recent and appropriate documentation relevant to the student’s learning environment that assesses the current impact of the student’s disability on his/her academic performance. If the documentation is considered outdated or inadequate in scope or content, the university reserves the right to require an update of the evaluation report or request clarification or further information. Click here to view guidelines for documentation.

Disability information, including documentation, is maintained in separate files apart from other academic records maintained by the university. This information is maintained in the Accessibility Resources Center. Students are seen by self-referral or from referrals by faculty or staff if a learning disability, attention deficit disorder, mobility impairment, or other disability is suspected.

Students must self-identify as a student with a disability in order to receive appropriate reasonable accommodations.

Verification of a disability will ensure that the student is eligible to receive accommodations, that the accommodations are appropriate, and that the student has complied with established policies and procedures regarding the provision of services that were instituted according to Section 504 and the ADA.

About The ADA/504/FHA Committee:

Documentation is reviewed by the Director of the Accessibility Resources Center for the purpose of determining eligibility for reasonable accommodations. Incomplete or inadequate documentation may also, at the discretion of the Director, be reviewed by the ADA/504/FHA Committee and/or a request may be made for additional materials. The ADA/504/FHA Committee maintains authority for reviewing and for approving or denying student requests for accommodations based on a disability. Members of this committee include the Associate Provost for Student Affairs/Dean of Students, the Director of Academic Services, the Director of Health Services, the Director of Residential Life, Two (2) faculty members or their designated representatives, and is chaired by the Director of the Accessibility Resources Center.

Confidentiality of Disability Information:

The Accessibility Resources Center respects the confidential nature of disability information. The Family Education Rights Privacy Act (FERPA) allows for the release of pertinent information, relating to circumstances specific to the student, to university staff members who have legitimate educational interest.  The Accessibility Resources Center may also release pertinent information about disability-related needs to parties outside the university community, but will do so only upon written authorization by the individual student or as otherwise permitted or required by law.