Contents:
19.1  PROGRAMMATIC ACCESS FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES
19.2  COURSE WAIVERS AND/OR CURRICULAR CHANGES FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES
19.3  ADMISSION OF STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES
19.4  CLASSROOM ASSIGNMENT CHANGES FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES
19.5  PURCHASE OF EQUIPMENT FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES
19.6  ACCOMMODATIONS AND ACCESSIBILITY OF OFF-CAMPUS PROGRAMS

19.1 PROGRAMMATIC ACCESS FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES

Effective: May 18, 1994

PURPOSE
To provide programmatic access to students with disabilities through the modification of policies and procedures and the provision of auxiliary aids in all university programs, services and activities, unless such access would require a fundamental alteration to the program, service or activity. To provide physical access unless such provisions would create an undue burden to the university or a direct threat to the safety of the individual or others.

AUTHORITY/SOURCE
Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, Title ll; Federal Rehabilitation Act (34 CFP), Part 104; Section 228.2001, Chapter 760, Florida Statutes; Chapter 6A-19, Florida Administrative Code; and University policy.

POLICY
It is the University's policy to admit qualified students with disabilities and to provide modifications where appropriate and necessary to ensure that students are able to fulfill the essential requirements of academic programs and courses.

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the University shall provide appropriate modifications in policies and procedures as well as auxiliary aids and services to ensure access. Florida International University provides the following auxiliary services: sign language interpreters, note takers, laboratory assistants, recorders, recorded text, adaptive testing and learning equipment, accessible furniture, equipment and fixtures, assistive learning devices and captioned videos.

Records of accommodations and their determination shall be maintained in the Office of Disability Services for Students. Modifications to the academic program should be noted in the student's advisement file, but no medical information should be included. The confidentiality of all medical records shall be maintained in accordance with the requirements of the ADA and other State and federal laws.

PROCEDURE
The Office of Admissions and schools/colleges shall ensure that brochures advertising academic programs shall include the statement, "Qualified persons with disabilities should consult in advance (either a contact person within the academic unit or the Office of Disability Services for Students) at (address and telephone number, including TTD  or TDD number) to determine whether policy modifications and/or assistance will be needed to apply for, participate in, or complete this academic program."

A student with disabilities shall register with the Office of Disability Services for Students prior to the beginning of the first term for which the assistance is being requested. Students shall be requested to provide current appropriate documentation of their disability. Upon appropriate certification, the Office of Disability Services for Students will provide the required auxiliary aids and services to assist the student in fully participating in the educational program.

Faculty members are encouraged to include the following statement on course syllabi: "NOTICE: If a student has a disability and needs assistance, please notify the instructor and/or contact the Office of Disability Services for Students, (telephone number)."

Upon receipt, the Office of Disability Services for Students shall review the request and contact the professor or other appropriate personnel to make arrangements for the appropriate modification and/or assistance.

19.2 COURSE WAIVERS AND/OR CURRICULAR CHANGES FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES

Effective: May 18, 1994

PURPOSE
To provide otherwise qualified students who are unable to complete a course due to a disability the opportunity to waive, modify or substitute the course in accordance with Federal and State Law.

AUTHORITY/SOURCE
Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, Title ll; Federal Rehabilitation Act (34 CFP), Part 104; Section 228.2001, Chapter 760, Florida Statutes; Chapter 6A-19, Florida Administrative Code; and University policy.

POLICY
Any student with a documented disability shall be eligible for reasonable substitution, waiver and/or curricular substitution as long as the request does not fundamentally alter the nature of the program. Documentation shall be provided that the student's failure to meet the established requirements is related to the disability. The confidentiality of all medical records shall be maintained in accordance with the requirements of the ADA and other State and federal laws.

PROCEDURE
Each school/college or its departments shall have a standing committee or a school/college administrator to consider all requests for course waivers, curricular modification and/or substitution which are submitted by students with disabilities. (This may be the same committee or administrator named to consider requests for waiver or substitution of admission requirements for students with disabilities.)

No less than 8 weeks prior to the beginning of the semester in which the waiver/modification/substitution is desired, a prospective student with disabilities shall request the change by submitting the following to the Office of Disability Services for Students: a cover letter requesting specific course and/or curricular modifications, waiver and/or substitution, to include name, social security number, explanation of how existing curriculum impacts on disability and reason for the request, and recent appropriate documentation from an appropriate professional attesting to the disability and the need for modifications.

The Office of Disability Services for Students shall certify that the student has provided the required documentation and make recommendations to the school/college/department committee regarding how the disability impacts on the student's ability to meet the existing curriculum requirements. A copy of the recommendation(s) shall be sent to the ADA Coordinator.

In making its decisions, the school/college/department committee or designated administrator shall consider the student's academic record, the recommendation provided by the Office of Disability Services for Students, and the essential requirements of the program to which the student is applying or enrolled. Input shall also be sought from the student's academic advisor. Each student's request shall be considered on an individual basis.

Decisions to deny request(s) shall be forwarded to the ADA Coordinator for review prior to so notifying the student. The ADA Coordinator shall review a negative decision and shall provide a recommendation to the Provost for final decision.

19.3 ADMISSION OF STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES

Effective: May 18, 1994

PURPOSE
To ensure that no applicant is discriminated against in the admission process due to a disability.

AUTHORITY/SOURCE
Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, Title ll; Federal Rehabilitation Act (34 CFP), Part 104; Section 228.2001, Chapter 760, Florida Statutes; Chapter 6A-19, Florida Administrative Code; and University policy.

POLICY
Any applicant with a documented disability who can demonstrate that failure to meet admissions requirements is directly related to a disability is eligible to request a waiver or substitution for any requirement of admission as long as the waiver or substitution does not fundamentally alter the nature of the program to which the student is applying. In instances where the student with a disability meets the general university admission standards but does not meet the requirements of the college/school/department/program, the information will be forwarded to the college/school/department/program for waiver consideration. The confidentiality of all medical records shall be maintained in accordance with the requirements of the ADA and other State and federal laws.

PROCEDURE
The Office of Admissions and each school/college or department shall have a standing committee or a school/college administrator to consider requests for waiver or substitution of admission requirements submitted by students with disabilities. (This may be the same committee or administrator named to consider requests for course waivers and/or curricular modification and substitution for students with disabilities.)

A student with disabilities who wants to be considered under the policy must submit all documentation regularly required by the Office of Admissions as well as the following information: a cover letter requesting alternative admission consideration, to include name, social security, address and telephone number, admission criteria for which waiver is being requested and how the disability impacts the ability to meet the admission criteria. The applicant must also provide to the Office of Disability services recent documentation of the disability and the need for modification from an appropriate professional.

The Office of Admissions shall identify and record applicants with a disability who have chosen to identify themselves on the University application form. Those who meet established admission criteria shall be considered without regard to disability. Students whose disability prevents them from meeting the established admission criteria and who request a waiver or substitution of admission requirements shall be referred to the Office of Disability Services for Students.

The Office of Disability Services for Students shall review the complete file and make recommendations to the admissions committee based upon how the disability impacts the applicant's ability to meet the standard admission criteria. A copy of the recommendations shall be sent concurrently to the ADA Coordinator.

In making its decision, the school/college/department/program committee or identified administrator shall consider the applicant's academic record, the recommendation provided by the Office of Disability Services for Students regarding the applicant's ability to meet the standard admission criteria, and the essential requirement(s) of the program to which the student is applying. Each applicant will be considered on an individual basis.

Decisions to deny the request shall be forwarded to the ADA Coordinator for review prior to notifying the student.

The ADA Coordinator shall review a negative committee decision in conjunction with Legal Affairs, and shall provide a recommendation to the Provost for final decision.

19.4 CLASSROOM ASSIGNMENT CHANGES FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES

Effective: May 18, 1994

PURPOSE
To ensure that classroom reassignments required to provide access to students with disabilities are made in an expeditious manner.

AUTHORITY/SOURCE
Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, Title ll; Federal Rehabilitation Act (34 CFP), Part 104; Section 228.2001, Chapter 760, Florida Statutes; Chapter 6A-19, Florida Administrative Code; and University policy.

POLICY
In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, it is the policy of the University to move a class to an alternate, accessible classroom when the assigned classroom is physically inaccessible to students with disabilities and access is not achievable through other means, unless such a move would result in an undue burden.

PROCEDURE
When an otherwise qualified student with a disability determines that an assigned class is in an area that is not accessible, the student must notify the Office of Disability Services for Students immediately.

The Office of Disability Services for Students shall verify and determine if accessibility can be attained through other methods. If no other means are available, the Office of Disability Services for Students shall contact the Office of Space and Scheduling and request the room change. The ADA Coordinator (Assistant Vice President, Equal Opportunity Programs) shall be informed of the request concurrently.

The Office of Space and Scheduling shall immediately review the request so as not to affect the student's class attendance. If it is deemed that the request would be so disruptive as to create an undue burden upon the university (i.e., there is no appropriate alternate space available), the ADA Coordinator will be informed.

The ADA Coordinator shall review the basis of the decision to deny the request for a room change, review it with Legal Counsel, and provide a recommendation to the Provost for final decision.

19.5 PURCHASE OF EQUIPMENT FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

Effective: May 18, 1994

PURPOSE
To ensure that university departments include consideration of the needs of persons with disabilities in the purchase of equipment and furniture for new or renovated offices, classrooms and laboratories.

AUTHORITY/SOURCE
Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, Title ll; Federal Rehabilitation Act (34 CFP), Part 104; Section 228.2001, Chapter 760, Florida Statutes; Chapter 6A-19, Florida Administrative Code; and University policy.

POLICY
Florida International University recognizes that the needs of students and employees with disabilities should be considered in the acquisition and placement of furniture and equipment for its new or renovated facilities.

PROCEDURE
The Purchasing Department shall maintain an inventory of brochures and catalogs listing adaptive/accessible furniture and equipment.

When ordering equipment and/or furniture for new or renovated facilities, University departments shall consult with the Office of Disability Services for Students to obtain recommendations on what accessible and/or adapted equipment should be included in the order to ensure that facilities provide access to students and employees with disabilities.

The Purchasing Department shall monitor equipment and/or furniture purchases for new or renovated facilities to ensure the needs of students and employees with disabilities have been considered. When there is question regarding what might be required, the Purchasing Department may consult with the Office of Disability Services. In instances where Disability Services does not believe that appropriate equipment and/or furniture are being purchased to meet the needs of persons with disabilities, the issue will be referred to the ADA Coordinator.

As necessary, the ADA Coordinator will make a recommendation to the Provost for consideration of purchase of additional equipment

19.6 ACCOMMODATIONS AND ACCESSIBILITY OF OFF-CAMPUS PROGRAMS

Effective: January 21, 1998

PURPOSE
To ensure that accessibility requirements are considered when entering contracts for off-campus programs. To include in agreements for off-campus space or services the assignment of responsibility and costs of providing reasonable accommodations and auxiliary services.

 AUTHORITY/SOURCE
Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, Title II; Federal Rehabilitation Act (34 CFR), Part 104; Section 228.2001 and Chapter 760, Florida Statutes; Chapter 6A-19, Florida Administration Code; and, University policy.

POLICY
All agreements for services and/or space for off-campus University programs are subject to the requirements of the ADA. Agreements which are covered under this policy include but are not limited to: non-credit courses offered by the University or under contract with private entities; distance learning programs within the United States and territories; and, space for academic or professional conferences, for student recruitment, student practica and other similar placements. This policy does not cover any programs held outside of the United States.

PROCEDURE
Each academic unit which is planning to offer a program at an off-campus location should consult with the Office of Equal Opportunity Programs concerning accessibility guidelines for the program and the need for auxiliary services. Any agreement for services or space at an off-campus location shall be reviewed by the Office of Legal Affairs to determine which party shall provide and pay for necessary auxiliary aids and services. The Office of Disability Services for Students will provide auxiliary aids and services upon request for off-campus credit courses offered to students of the University. To the extent practicable, similar services may be provided for students enrolled in credit study abroad programs.

Application for participation in all off-campus programs held within the United States must contain the following language: AQualified individuals with disabilities who wish to participate in this program should inquire about available auxiliary aids and services upon application for participation in the program. The program will arrange for such auxiliary aids and services as are available to allow participation in the program.

Page last updated: January 28, 2003