Students with Disabilities
Philosophy
The faculty, staff and administration of William James College are committed to making programs open and accessible to students with disabilities. In keeping with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, William James College strives to ensure that students with documented disabilities experience equitable access to courses, activities, and facilities.
Process
Students must self-identify as having a disability and must provide recent and relevant documentation from a qualified health services provider which states the nature of their disability, describes how the disability affects the student's functioning and suggests possible accommodations that would allow the student equal access.
For medical, physical or psychological diagnoses, students can have their qualified provider submit a signed letter that addresses our Guidelines, or they can complete a Verification form which can simplify collection of the necessary information. This form can be provided upon request. For ADHD or LD a recent neuropsychological evaluation report is typically provided. For these diagnoses, other recent relevant documentation, such as an IEP, can also be submitted for review. Questions about documentation can be directed to accessibility@williamjames.edu.
Accommodations are determined on an individualized, case-by-case, basis. Students must provide registration information with basic information about themselves and what they need along with documentation from a qualified provider. The student will meet with the Director of Student Accessibility Services (SAS) to discuss their needs. Approved academic accommodations are communicated to faculty through an Accommodations Letter which the student provides to instructors. Accommodations are never provided retroactively.
Example Accommodations
Students who complete the process to register and document can be approved for accommodations. Example accommodations include extended time and reduced distraction space for testing, audio recording of lectures, or some flexibility with due dates. A text-reading program is available to all students and closed captioning for video presentations or other accommodations are possible with advanced notice. The building is wheelchair accessible. Questions about accommodations can be directed to accessibility@williamjames.edu.
Limitations
While every effort is made to develop an Accommodations Plan which meets the student's needs, accommodations cannot change essential course requirements and must not impose an undue burden on school resources.
Confidentiality
All disability documentation records are confidential. They are stored by SAS and are protected under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). However, to ensure that appropriate accommodations are provided, SAS may share some details about the disability accommodation records to instructors, academic advisors, the Dean of Students or other individuals or offices with an "educational need to know" as allowed by FERPA.
Service Animals
For information about service animals; what are allowed on campus, how to appropriately interact, etc., please reference this document.