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Office of Student Disability Services

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Introduction

The Office of Student Disability Services (OSDS) is a division of the Office of Equity and Access (OEA). The OSDS serves undergraduate, graduate, professional and health sciences students across the globe.

Mission:

The mission of the OSDS is to support the achievement of superior student outcomes for all students. Our services are designed to provide students with the best academic experience and support removing boundaries and roadblocks to ensure full access and engagement in educational programs.

Vision:

The goal and ultimate vision of OSDS is barrier-free campuses where accessibility is embedded in the thread of our courses and culture and where we lead the example of student experience for all.

Contact Information

Walden University
[email protected]

OSDS Phone: 855.229.0848
OSDS Fax: 630.596.1651

Rights and Responsibilities

Adtalem and its institutions and program are committed to providing equal access to educational opportunities for qualified students with disabilities in accordance with government, state, and local laws as applicable to the student’s program, institution, and location. All accommodations requested are reviewed on an individual basis to determine what is reasonable and appropriate. The student should understand the process is an interactive one that takes time.

Timeframe:

Students should apply as early as possible as there may be some situations where a request for accommodation is made at a point where appropriate arrangements cannot practicably or reasonably be made. Reviews may take a minimum of 10 business days once the file is determined complete and status updates are available in your email.

Accommodations are not applied retroactively.

Students Have the Right to:

  • An equitable experience to participate in their program
  • An opportunity to learn and receive applicable accommodations, adjustments, aids, and services
  • Confidentiality of records-except where required/permitted by law
  • Information available in formats that are accessible for their needs

Students Have the Responsibility for:

  • Meeting technical standards with or without accommodations
  • Self-identifying when:
    • An accommodation is needed
    • When a concern arises with accommodation
  • Providing documentation from a licensed physician or clinician in a field appropriate to opine on the disability in question. More specifically, the existence of a disability, how that disability limits a major life activity and how it affects participation in the program and the activity for which you are applying for accommodation.
  • Following the OSDS published procedures for obtaining services and reasonable accommodations
  • Respectfully interacting with colleagues in all exchanges

Accommodation Request Process

  1. Email the OSDS with your intent to apply for an accommodation.
  2. Indicate first and last name, institution, program, term and your preferred method of contact and any supports you require.
    a. Phone
    b. Email
    c. Teams
    d. Other-describe
  3. Obtain and fill out the Student Accommodation Request Form
  4. Gather the information from your physician or clinician appliable to the diagnoses for which you are applying. If there are multiple diagnoses, there may also be paperwork required from multiple specialists.

Notes Regarding the Process:

  • The OSDS will determine if your request is applicable to the office and its services
    • If yes, OSDS will proceed with interactive process and review.
    • If no, OSDS will refer student to the appropriate supports and services available.
  • If a student is accepted into the accommodation request process with an applicable request related to a disability, they will proceed and during the interactive process of accommodation the student can expect to get updates on status such as:
    • Incomplete- the student has not provided enough information for a decision (detailing what is missing to continue)
    • In Review-the file is at a point where the Accommodation Coordinator can make a decision on the following categories for each of the requests/recommendations:
      • Incomplete
      • Resource already available to all students
      • Approved
      • Alternative Accommodation Provided
      • Denied
  • If Approved- Notification letter sent
  • If Denied-Notification letter sent and call made for additional assistance if the student wishes to speak on the phone and continue the process
  • If an Alternative Accommodation is determined- Notification letter sent
  • Incomplete, resource already available- email communication with details and resources

Documentation Expectations

General:

  • Request form with 1-Self-report 2- applicable documentation from your physician or clinician
  • Documentation from your physician or clinician must be dated within the last five years
  • Diagnostic codes
  • License numbers and credentials
  • A licensed physician or clinician familiar with your diagnosis and history and having expertise applicable to your diagnosis
  • Explanation of how your disability affects you in a major life event and subsequently relevant to your need in an academic setting
  • Specific recommendations for accommodation

Supporting Documentation:

The following are types of documents that will be requested relevant to student’s disability for which they are requesting accommodations. Examples include but are not limited to:

  • Audiology Report
  • Ocular Assessment
  • Formal Diagnostic Interviews
  • A Formal Assessment to include:
    • Intellectual functioning
    • Academic Achievement
    • Information processing
  • Neuropsychological Assessment
  • Clinical summary

Documents that Will Not be Accepted:

  • Handwritten correspondence from physician or clinician
  • Clinical summary
  • Patient records or any charts etc. pulled off the internet
  • Documentation from a member of the family or an acquaintance
  • Documentation from a physician or clinician affiliated with Adtalem or its institutions
  • Prescription pads as supporting documents
  • Documents by professionals who do not know the student’s medical history and have not made diagnosis
  • Documents from physicians who do not specialize in the disability for which the accommodation is sought (ex: gynecologist for a vision request)

Services Not Covered by OSDS*

  • English as a second language
  • Personal Care Attendants
  • Medical devices personal to the student (glasses, hearing aids etc.)
  • Personal Transportation
  • Services for students who do not have a temporary or long-term disability
    • See FAQ for more information and examples
  • Pregnancy accommodations unrelated to disability
  • Personal Tutoring
  • Religion

*If you would like information for what is available in your community regarding these services you may reach out to OSDS. However, please know OSDS does not recommend and are not affiliated with any of these services which may be available in the community and any responsibility would lie with the third party directly.