Slide 1 (Cover Slide)
Mission Possible: An Interactive Guide to Being Proactive Rather than Reactive in a Disability
Services Office.
Novice: New and Newer Disability Services Professionals
Slide 2
Meet Your Presenters
Justin O’Sullivan
Associate Director
Center for Disability Services
Kaplan University
Email: josullivan@kaplan.edu
Tiffani Ashline
Senior Coordinator
Center for Disability Services
Kaplan University
Email: tashline@kaplan.edu
Slide 3
The Center for Disability Services (CDS)
Mission Statement
Kaplan University is committed to providing opportunities for higher education to students with
disabilities and to making the programs, activities, and facilities at the University accessible to
students with disabilities. All accommodations for students with disabilities are handled via the
Center for Disability Services (CDS), a division of the Academic Support Center (ASC).
Kaplan University makes every effort to provide reasonable accommodations to students
presenting a documented disability. In compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of
1973 and the implementing regulations 34 CFR part 104 (barring discrimination on the basis of
disability), and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, and the implementing
regulations in 29 CFR part 1630 (1992), Kaplan University has established specific guidelines
for students who are enrolled in our programs and are seeking accommodations.
Slide 4
Presentation Overview
The Chronicle of Higher Education Article
Equal Opportunity
 Nondiscrimination
Knowing the Laws
 ADA
 Section 504
 FERPA
Policies and Procedures
 University Catalog
 Student Handbook
Student Awareness of the DS Department
 Self-Identification
Internal University Training
 Self-Disclosure Referral Policy
Accommodations
 Responsibility
 How to Request an Accommodation
 Eligibility
 Disability Abstract
 Verification
 Case by Case
 Reasonable versus Unreasonable
 Academic Integrity
 Have a Process
Utilizing Your Resources
 Internal
 External
Student Centered Experience
 Customer Service Basics
 Confidentiality
Slide 5
THE CHRONICLE of Higher Education
Article Title:
ADA Compliance Is a ‘Major Vulnerability’ for Online Programs
Date Published:
November 2010
Author:
Marc Parry
Link:http://chronicle.com/blogs/wiredcampus/ada-compliance-a-major-vulnerability-for-onlineprograms/28136
Slide 6
Equal Opportunity
Kaplan University’s Policy of Nondiscrimination
The University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, ancestry, national
origin, age, non-disqualifying disability, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, or veteran
status in the recruitment of students or in the implementation of its policies, procedures, and
activities. Sexual harassment is a prohibited aspect of sexual discrimination under this policy.
The University's policies and practices are in accordance with all applicable laws and
regulations.
Slide 7
Do You Know the Laws?
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal law, passed in 1990, designed to protect
the rights of individuals with disabilities from discrimination based on their disability.
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act is a federal law, passed in 1973, designed to protect the
rights of individuals with disabilities in programs and activities that receive federal financial
assistance from the U.S. Department of Education.
Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) affords eligible students and their
parents certain rights with respect to their education records, including the right to inspect and
review education records, the right to consent to disclosures of information in education records,
and the right to request the amendment of education records believed to be inaccurate,
misleading, or a violation of privacy.
Slide 8
Get to Know Your Policies and Procedures!
Catalog and Student Handbook
 Student Affairs Policies
– Code of Conduct
• Disciplinary Actions, Suspensions, Dismissals
– Health and Guidance Services
– Emergency Alerts
 Academic Policies
– Attendance
– Academic Progress
– Incomplete
– LOA (Medical)
– Withdrawal
 Disability Services Policy
– Self-Identify / Internal Referral
– Accommodation Appeal
– Tuition Reimbursement Request
 Grievance Policy
Slide 9
Creating Student Awareness of the DS Office
Self-Identification
 Orientation Packet (as a package with other services)
 University Intranet
 University Catalog
 Student Handbook
 External Website
Slide 10
Internal University Training
Self-Disclosure Referral Policy
 DS Office
 Deans and Directors
 Faculty and Department Chairs
 Student-Interfacing Departments:
- Admissions
- Registrar
- Academic Advising
- Financial Aid
- Student Accounts
- Health and Guidance Services
- Tutoring Staff
- Athletics
Slide 11
Accommodations: Whose Responsibility Is It?
Student Responsibility
To benefit from the protection of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of
the Rehabilitation Act, it is the student’s responsibility to self-disclose a disability to the Center
for Disability Services and request an accommodation. Kaplan University requires the student to
provide supporting documentation, which must verify the existence of the disability and the
subsequent need for an accommodation.
University Responsibility
Kaplan University may not discriminate against an individual on the basis of his or her disability.
Kaplan University will provide reasonable accommodations to a student with a documented
disability, in order to afford the student an equal opportunity to participate within its programs,
activities, and facilities.
Slide 12
How to Request an Accommodation
Students with a disability seeking an accommodation may submit a request in one of two ways:
 Contact your Academic Advisor at 866.522.7747 (Toll Free) who will, in turn, request
that the CDS contact you directly via email.
 Contact the CDS directly by telephone, email, or fax.
The Center for Disability Services (CDS)
Tel: 954.512.5383
Email: cds@kaplan.edu
Fax: 866.422.4773 (Toll Free)
TTY: 866.572.6026 (Toll Free)
Requests for an accommodation will be reviewed on an individual, case-by-case basis.
Slide 13
Eligibility Requirements
Eligibility
If a student determines the need for an accommodation, the student must submit an
Accommodation Request Form and supporting documentation to Kaplan University’s Center for
Disability Services (CDS).
To be eligible for an accommodation, the student must have:
 A disability, as defined by the ADA, that substantially limits a major life activity
and subsequently necessitates a reasonable accommodation,
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Documentation on file with Kaplan University that supports the need for the
requested accommodation, and
Medical documentation to substantiate the disability and how the accommodation
will assist the student.
Slide 14
This slide is comprised of a graphic representation which depicts the types of disabilities that are
actively on file with the Center for Disability Services. The most predominant disability on file
with the CDS is ADHD, whereby the second is Bipolar, third is Learning Disability, forth is
Depression, and fifth is Visual Impairment.
Slide 15
Verification Requirements
Verification of Disability
Kaplan University cannot provide an accommodation until the student’s disability has been
verified by a qualified medical professional or other appropriate health care professional.
A student with a learning disability must submit recent comprehensive evaluation results
including cognitive and achievement test scores.
The Center for Disability Services (CDS) will be responsible for notifying the student’s
instructors of the specific accommodation(s) approved by the University.
Slide 16
Case-By-Case Basis
Each disability and the condition associated with each request are unique to a particular
individual, making it difficult to predict or limit the accommodation(s) provided.
Listed on the next slide are a few accommodations and services, which may be available to
individuals who meet the Center for Disability Services eligibility and verification requirements.
Slide 17
Reasonable vs. Unreasonable
Test Your Knowledge
 Additional time to complete academic coursework
 Extra-credit assignments
 Extended time to complete assessments
 Textbooks in alternative format; i.e. audio, electronic, physical, Braille
 No deadlines for course assignments
 Personal computer purchased by the DS Office
 Tutoring
 Learning materials highlighted by the DS Office
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Proctored assessments in a quiet, alternative setting
Assessment questions read aloud for clarification
Faculty support and tutoring
Grades for completed work only
Lecture notes
Tape recorder for class lectures
Multiple choice questions exams only
Calculator to be allowed for assignments and assessments
American Sign Language Interpreter
No final exams
Slide 18
Have a Process!
If the student both qualifies for and wishes to receive accommodations, a letter outlining the
students approved accommodation(s) will be sent directly to the student’s instructor(s) from the
CDS at the beginning of each term.
If the student initially registers with the CDS during the middle of a term, accommodation letters
are sent to the student’s instructor(s) at that time. Accommodations are not retroactive.
Slide 19
Utilizing Your Resources
Internal and External
 Legal Counsel
 Interdepartmental Contacts/Point Person(s)
 Counseling/Health Center
 Student Assistance Program
 Academic Support – Resource/Tutoring Center
 Psycho-Educational Testing Centers and Resources
 Vocational Rehabilitation
 Vender Knowledge/Rapport
 Bookstore Rapport
 Publisher Information
 Learning Ally (formally RFB&D)
 Budget
Slide 20
Student Centered Experience
Customer Service Basics
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Listen
Empathize
Determine the root issue by asking questions
Provide contact information
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Advocate
Follow up / provide updates
Close the loop / solicit feedback
Document and save relevant information
Slide 21
Confidentiality
Kaplan University has an obligation to maintain confidentiality regarding a student's disability.
Any information collected is strictly utilized for the benefit of the student. Disability-related
information is collected and maintained separately from the student's University record and
housed within secure files with access limited to staff members of the Center for Disability
Services (CDS). Student files within the CDS are maintained for a period of 5 years after a
student's last date of attendance. After 5 years of nonattendance, a student’s disability records
will be destroyed in a confidential manner.
If a student has requested and is approved to receive reasonable accommodations, the student
will be informed as to what information is being provided to the faculty or staff regarding the
request.
Except where permitted by applicable law, disability information will not be shared with nonKaplan University employees without the student's express written permission.
Slide 22
Questions
Slide 23 (Last Slide)
Thank You!
Should you have questions that were unable to be answered during our session, please feel free
to contact us!
Justin O’Sullivan
Associate Director
Center for Disability Services
Kaplan University
Email: josullivan@kaplan.edu
Tiffani Ashline
Senior Coordinator
Center for Disability Services
Kaplan University
Email: tashline@kaplan.edu