student disability services faculty handbook - St. Ambrose University

ASSIGNMENT EXTENSION PROCEDURES
Due to chronic health conditions or temporary disabilities, students may occasionally request extensions
on assignment deadlines. Students who may need to utilize this accommodation need to speak directly
with the SDS Director.
PRINT MATERIALS IN ALTERNATIVE FORMAT PROCEDURES
Students with reading or visual disabilities may request texts and other printed materials in auditory or
electronic format. Since it sometimes takes months for the production of text, publication information
must be requested well in advance, typically 2-4 weeks prior to the semester start date. Instructors are
asked to provide accurate title and publisher information for any print material or audio/visual
material on their syllabus or to the students in a timely manner.
For text books or other print materials, students must complete an Alternative Format Materials Request
Form. Students should have available the book title, author, edition number, publication date, publisher
and ISBN. All students must also sign a copyright agreement and provide proof of purchase of any text
book requested in alternative format.
Students are expected to return all materials to SDS at the end of the semester. Material not returned could
result in a fine relative to the cost of the item or a temporary University restriction posted to their account.
COURSE SUBSTITUTIONS PROCEDURES
At St. Ambrose University, students with a documented learning based disability may be eligible for a
foreign language course substitution if, and only if, the disability is in fact language based and the request is
substantiated by a licensed professional (diagnostician) with experience in assessing and diagnosing adults
with learning disabilities. This may be provided as a clear statement in support or denial of the request to
substitute our foreign language requirement. If the diagnostician is in support of the request, the SDS
director makes the final decision to accept and pursue the request or deny the request. If the diagnostician
is not in support of the request, we will not honor the request and the student has every right to seek
additional documentation.
St. Ambrose University offers a number of substitution courses that satisfy the foreign language
requirement. Before a student can qualify for this as an accommodation, e or she needs to meet with the
SDS Director to verify the appropriate courses.
At times, students with a documented acquired brain injury, a mobility disability, or systemic disability
may be eligible for a Kinesiology course substitution. Any requests should be discussed with the SDS
Director.
MODIFICATION TO THE UNIVERSITY'S NON-ACADEMIC POLICIES AND/OR PROCEDURES
Students seeking a modification of a University non-academic policy and/or procedure due to their
disability must first contact SDS. The availability of a modification of a University non-academic policy
and/or procedure depends on the student’s particular circumstances and the academic program that the
student is enrolled in or is at issue.
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2011-2012 Student Disability Services Faculty Handbook
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