Mission Possible:
An Interactive Guide to Being Proactive Rather
than Reactive in a Disability Services Office.
Novice: New and Newer Disability Services Professionals
A.H.E.A.D: July 2011
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
Confidential & Proprietary • Internal Kaplan Use Only.
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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.
Confidential & Proprietary • Internal Kaplan Use Only.
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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
Confidential & Proprietary • Internal Kaplan Use Only.
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-online-programs/28136
Confidential & Proprietary • Internal Kaplan Use Only.
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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.
Confidential & Proprietary • Internal Kaplan Use Only.
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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.
Confidential & Proprietary • Internal Kaplan Use Only.
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Get to Know Your Policies and Procedures!
Catalog and Student Handbook
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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
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Disability Services Policy
– Self-Identify / Internal Referral
– Accommodation Appeal
– Tuition Reimbursement Request
Grievance Policy
Confidential & Proprietary • Internal Kaplan Use Only.
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Creating Student Awareness
of the DS Office
Self-Identification
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Orientation Packet (as a package with other services)
University Intranet
University Catalog
Student Handbook
External Website
Confidential & Proprietary • Internal Kaplan Use Only.
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Internal University Training
Self-Disclosure Referral Policy
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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
Confidential & Proprietary • Internal Kaplan Use Only.
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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.
Confidential & Proprietary • Internal Kaplan Use Only.
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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.
Confidential & Proprietary • Internal Kaplan Use Only.
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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,
 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.
Confidential & Proprietary • Internal Kaplan Use Only.
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Confidential & Proprietary • Internal Kaplan Use Only.
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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.
Confidential & Proprietary • Internal Kaplan Use Only.
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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.
Confidential & Proprietary • Internal Kaplan Use Only.
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Reasonable vs. Unreasonable
Test Your Knowledge
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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
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
Confidential & Proprietary • Internal Kaplan Use Only.
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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.
Confidential & Proprietary • Internal Kaplan Use Only.
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Utilizing Your Resources
Internal and External
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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
Confidential & Proprietary • Internal Kaplan Use Only.
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Student Centered Experience
Customer Service Basics
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Listen
Empathize
Determine the root issue by asking questions
Provide contact information
Advocate
Follow up / provide updates
Close the loop / solicit feedback
Document and save relevant information
Confidential & Proprietary • Internal Kaplan Use Only.
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Confidentiality
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 non-Kaplan University employees without the student's
express written permission.
Confidential & Proprietary • Internal Kaplan Use Only.
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Questions
Confidential & Proprietary • Internal Kaplan Use Only.
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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
Confidential & Proprietary • Internal Kaplan Use Only.
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