FAQs

FAQs

• How are accommodations approved?

  Students must make all formal accommodation requests through the Accessibility Services Office and follow a consistent procedure. Students meet with the Student Access and Support Specialist to discuss their disability, experienced or anticipated barriers, any past use of accommodations, and current accommodation requests. Information provided by the student is generally reviewed in conjunction with disability-related documentation, and requests are considered in the context of what is reasonable based on the essential program or course requirements. All accommodation requests are reviewed on an individual and case-by-case basis. Some accommodations may be approved on a provisional or semester basis when more information is needed or if a disability is temporary or may change over time.

• How are instructors notified about approved accommodations?

  Faculty receive a Letter of Accommodation via email with the student copied. The email will verify that the student is registered with the Accessibility Services Office and outline accommodations for which they are approved. Accommodations may be approved at any point in the semester; however, they are not retroactive.

• What if a student asks me for an accommodation but I have not received an email stating so?

  Some faculty have provided flexibility, on an individual basis, to students who are encountering any type of barrier to learning or participation. When disability related accommodations are requested, please encourage them to connect with Accessibility Services Office to make a formal accommodation request. This will help ensure that all students go through the same process and that the student is aware of related resources.

• What if I believe an approved accommodation fundamentally alters the nature of the course?

  Please contact the Student Access and Support Specialist directly if you have concerns about an accommodation. You are the expert in your course and learning objectives; therefore, she may need to collaborate with you in an analysis of whether or not an accommodation would compromise essential requirements.

• What should I do if I am concerned about a student or suspect they may have a disability?

  As you would with any student who is struggling, explore with the student if there are any ways or resources that may help to support them. A student may disclose a disability to you (legally you cannot ask). Encourage the student to reach out to the Accessibility Services Office.

• Are housing accommodations available?

  Yes, upon acceptance to Monmouth College, students with specific housing needs because of a disability should complete the Accommodation Request Form and work with the Accessibility Services Office to submit additional forms.

• Who do I share my disability documentation with and when?

  Monmouth College students should contact the Accessibility Services Office as soon as possible to determine what services and accommodations may be available. If you are a prospective student to Monmouth College, you should arrange a meeting with the Student Access & Support Specialist in the Accessibility Services Office to discuss your documentation and potential services available. Students with disabilities accepted to Monmouth College should contact this office as soon as possible to discuss the coordination of services.

• I believe I have a disability but no current documentation. What should I do?

  If you have not received an evaluation or your documentation is determined to be outdated, it is best to follow up with your provider at home to have updated documentation available. If you feel you have a disability that has been undiagnosed, contact the Accessibility Services Office for assistance. All costs incurred for obtaining appropriate documentation are your responsibility.

• What is considered acceptable documentation?

  Documentation must be current, be completed by a qualified professional, and explain the ‘substantial limitations’ as a result of the disability and provide accommodation recommendations. If you are unsure whether your documentation is current, please consult with the Accessibility Services Office. The College reserves the right to determine the adequacy of submitted documentation and to require additional documentation and/or testing.

• Are 504 Plans and IEP’s (Individualized Education Plans) acceptable documentation of a disability at the college level?

  504 Plans and IEP’s can be considered and reviewed as appropriate documentation. These documents are useful in understanding prior academic experiences of the student. Testing used to document a disability must be current (usually within three years) and administered by a qualified professional. 

• How are services for students with disabilities at Monmouth College different from services provided in high school or from other institutions?

  Students should not assume that accommodations provided at one school will be provided at Monmouth College. Accommodations are approved on a case-by-case basis and must be consistent with the College’s academic goals and standards. A student’s request, documentation, and past educational experiences will all be taken into consideration when determining the appropriate accommodations. Ultimately, college students are solely responsible for the success of their college career.

• How are accommodations approved?

  Students must make all formal accommodation requests through the Accessibility Services Office and follow a consistent procedure. Students meet with the Student Access and Support Specialist to discuss their disability, experienced or anticipated barriers, any past use of accommodations, and current accommodation requests. Information provided by the student is generally reviewed in conjunction with disability-related documentation, and requests are considered in the context of what is reasonable based on the essential program or course requirements. All accommodation requests are reviewed on an individual and case-by-case basis. Some accommodations may be approved on a provisional or semester basis when more information is needed or if a disability is temporary or may change over time.

• How are instructors notified about approved accommodations?

  Faculty receive a Letter of Accommodation via email with the student copied. The email will verify that the student is registered with the Accessibility Services Office and outline accommodations for which they are approved. Accommodations may be approved at any point in the semester; however, they are not retroactive.

• What if a student asks me for an accommodation but I have not received an email stating so?

  Some faculty have provided flexibility, on an individual basis, to students who are encountering any type of barrier to learning or participation. When disability related accommodations are requested, please encourage them to connect with Accessibility Services Office to make a formal accommodation request. This will help ensure that all students go through the same process and that the student is aware of related resources.

• What if I believe an approved accommodation fundamentally alters the nature of the course?

  Please contact the Student Access and Support Specialist directly if you have concerns about an accommodation. You are the expert in your course and learning objectives; therefore, she may need to collaborate with you in an analysis of whether or not an accommodation would compromise essential requirements.

• What should I do if I am concerned about a student or suspect they may have a disability?

  As you would with any student who is struggling, explore with the student if there are any ways or resources that may help to support them. A student may disclose a disability to you (legally you cannot ask). Encourage the student to reach out to the Accessibility Services Office.

• Are housing accommodations available?

  Yes, upon acceptance to Monmouth College, students with specific housing needs because of a disability should complete the Accommodation Request Form and work with the Accessibility Services Office to submit additional forms.

• Who do I share my disability documentation with and when?

  Monmouth College students should contact the Accessibility Services Office as soon as possible to determine what services and accommodations may be available. If you are a prospective student to Monmouth College, you should arrange a meeting with the Student Access & Support Specialist in the Accessibility Services Office to discuss your documentation and potential services available. Students with disabilities accepted to Monmouth College should contact this office as soon as possible to discuss the coordination of services.

• I believe I have a disability but no current documentation. What should I do?

  If you have not received an evaluation or your documentation is determined to be outdated, it is best to follow up with your provider at home to have updated documentation available. If you feel you have a disability that has been undiagnosed, contact the Accessibility Services Office for assistance. All costs incurred for obtaining appropriate documentation are your responsibility.

• What is considered acceptable documentation?

  Documentation must be current, be completed by a qualified professional, and explain the ‘substantial limitations’ as a result of the disability and provide accommodation recommendations. If you are unsure whether your documentation is current, please consult with the Accessibility Services Office. The College reserves the right to determine the adequacy of submitted documentation and to require additional documentation and/or testing.

• Are 504 Plans and IEP’s (Individualized Education Plans) acceptable documentation of a disability at the college level?

  504 Plans and IEP’s can be considered and reviewed as appropriate documentation. These documents are useful in understanding prior academic experiences of the student. Testing used to document a disability must be current (usually within three years) and administered by a qualified professional. 

• How are services for students with disabilities at Monmouth College different from services provided in high school or from other institutions?

  Students should not assume that accommodations provided at one school will be provided at Monmouth College. Accommodations are approved on a case-by-case basis and must be consistent with the College’s academic goals and standards. A student’s request, documentation, and past educational experiences will all be taken into consideration when determining the appropriate accommodations. Ultimately, college students are solely responsible for the success of their college career.