Student Disability Access Office

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FIRST YEAR STUDENT INFORMATION

Welcome to the Student Disability Access Office (SDAO)

The staff at the Student Disability Access Office welcomes you to Duke University.  The SDAO is the office on campus charged with the responsibility of providing accommodations for qualified students with disabilities in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.   

Our Goal
The goal of the SDAO is to provide and coordinate accommodations, support services and programs that enable qualified students with disabilities to have access to facilities and programs at Duke University.

Who requests to be considered for services at the Student Disability Access Office?
The SDAO facilitates services and accommodations for qualified students who have impairments and conditions including, but not limited to, chronic health disorders, visual impairments, hearing impairments, mobility impairments, psychological impairments, learning disabilities and/or attention deficit/hyperactivity disorders.

Who is a student with a disability?
At Duke University each request to receive consideration for reasonable accommodations is reviewed on a case-by-case basis.  Generally, a student who is disabled under the ADA and/or Rehabilitation Act has an impairment or condition which substantially limits a major life activity such as caring for one’s self, performing manual tasks, walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing and/or learning when compared to most people.

Receiving consideration for services and accommodations at the post secondary level
Disability laws on the post-secondary level are very different from those on the high school level and often result in misunderstandings by students and parents.  Some of the major differences students notice on the post secondary level include the greater level of student responsibility, documentation requirements, criteria used to determine who is disabled for purposes of the ADA and/or Rehabilitation Act, and working with the disability office on an ongoing basis.

How to request to be considered for reasonable accommodations
At the post-secondary level it is the student’s responsibility to identify themselves as a person with a disability and request to be considered for reasonable accommodations.  If you have a disability and would like to receive consideration for accommodations, please identify yourself by submitting to our office:

1. A completed and signed Request for Consideration for Reasonable Accommodations form which are available on this website and at the SDAO office.
2. Full and current documentation.  Documentation guidelines are available on this website and at the SDAO office. 

What is full and current documentation?
At the post-secondary level it is the student’s responsibility to provide supporting documentation from an appropriate professional.  Documentation must verify the disability, describe the extent/severity of the impairment, provide information regarding the functional impact of the disability and furnish justification for each specific accommodation the student may request.

How it is determined if a student is eligible to receive services and accommodations
After the SDAO receives a student’s completed and signed request form and full/current documentation, the documentation is reviewed by the SDAO staff and/or one or more of our expert consultants to determine whether or not the student is disabled under the ADA and/or Rehabilitation Act and eligible to receive accommodations at Duke University.  The student is informed of the SDAO decision in writing.

How to arrange to receive services and accommodations
All accommodations and services are individualized and based on the student’s documentation, needs and course requirements.  Academic as well as non-academic accommodations are provided through the SDAO.  Assistive technology such as assistive listening devices, books in alternative format and others is also provided.  Students found to be disabled for purposes of the ADA and eligible for accommodations must:

1. Meet with the SDAO Director to discuss approved accommodations.
2. Register with the SDAO by signing an Accommodations Agreement.
3. Meet with the SDAO Disability Specialist each semester to discuss which of the approved accommodations he/she wishes to use during the upcoming semester or year.

What is the first step in the SDAO process?
If you would like to be considered for reasonable accommodations as a student with a disability, please return a completed and signed Request for Consideration for Reasonable Accommodations form and submit full and current documentation to Dr. Emma Swain, Director, Student Disability Access Office, Box 90142, Durham NC 27708 or fax it to (919) 668-3977.

We are delighted you have chosen to attend Duke University and look forward to greeting you on campus.  For more information about our office we invite you to visit our website. If you have questions or would like more information regarding disability issues at Duke, please contact the Student Disability Access Office.

 

CONTACTING THE SDAO Director:  Dr. Emma Swain Disability Specialist:  Jim Baker Program Coordinator:  Jenni Holt Phone: (919) 668-1267 Fax:     (919) 668-3977 Email:  studentdisabilityoffice@duke.edu Address:  402 Oregon Street, Suite 102                 Box 90142, Durham, NC  27708

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