Student Disability Access Office

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GRADUATE AND PROFESSIONAL STUDENT INFORMATION

Procedures for Requesting Consideration for Reasonable Accommodations Graduate and Professional Students

1. 1. Students who wish to be considered for reasonable accommodations at Duke University must identify to the Disability Management System--Student Disability Access Office (SDAO).
   
   
   1. Students who are entering Duke University for the first time will receive a letter from the Graduate or Professional School to which they have applied containing procedures for receiving consideration for reasonable accommodations at Duke University and a Request for Consideration for Reasonable Accommodations form. The letter also contains information regarding documentation requirements and documentation guidelines. The Request for Consideration for Reasonable Accommodations form and Documentation Guidelines are available or can be obtained by contacting the Student Disability Access Office at (919) 668-1267.
      
      
   2. Students currently enrolled at Duke University who want information about receiving consideration for reasonable accommodations, should contact the Student Disability Access Office at (919) 668-1267 for information. The Request for Consideration for Reasonable Accommodations form and Documentation Guidelines are available or can be obtained by contacting the Student Disability Access Office at (919) 668-1267
      
      
2. Students should return their Request for Consideration for Reasonable Accommodations/Information Release Form, as well as their Documentation to:

   Duke University
   Disability Management System--Student Disability Access Office
   Box 90142
   Durham, NC 27708
   
   NOTE: Do not return your Request for Consideration for Reasonable Accommodations and documentation to Watts School of Nursing.

   For information regarding documentation requirements at Duke University, see Documentation Guidelines or call the Director of the Student Disability Access Office at (919) 668-1267.
   

3. The SDAO reviews the student’s documentation to determine if it is appropriate and complete. If additional information or clarification is needed, the director consults with the student and/or the appropriate healthcare provider. If additional documentation is needed it is the students responsibility to provide it.
   
   
4. The SDAO completes a careful review of the student’s documentation to determine whether or not the student is disabled under the ADA and/or Rehabilitation Act and eligible to receive accommodations at Duke University.
   
   
5. After it has been determined that a student is disabled under the ADA and/or Rehabilitation Act and eligible to receive accommodations, the SDAO Director prepares a list of reasonable accommodations which will be recommended to the student’s program. The suggested accommodation list is sent to the appropriate Disability Services Liaison for review to determine (after consultation with appropriate academic personnel) if the suggested accommodations are reasonable in the context of the particular program. The Disability Services Liaison then contacts the SDAO Director to confirm the recommended accommodation or to suggest necessary changes. Students need to be apprised that individual circumstances may warrant a modification of the accommodations previously agreed upon.
   
   
6. After the accommodations have been verified by the program’s Disabilities Services Liaison, the Director of SDAO sends a letter to the student asking him or her to make an appointment to meet with the SDAO Director.
   
   
7. During the meeting, the director discusses with the student the accommodations that have been recommended to the student’s program. The student and director sign an Accommodations Agreement (copies are given to the student and to the appropriate Disabilities Services Liaison). Procedures for implementing accommodations are discussed and the student’s rights and responsibilities are reviewed.
   
   NOTE: After the director of the Student Disability Access Office and the student have signed the Accommodations Agreement, it is not required that the student meet again with the director, UNLESS the student wants to investigate the possibility of receiving an accommodation that was not included on the signed Accommodations Agreement. Students who wish to discuss the possibility of receiving additional accommodations should make an appointment to meet with the Director of the Disability Management System—Student Disability Access Office. Additional documentation may be needed. While students are not required to meet with the director after the Accommodation Agreement has been signed, they are welcome to meet with her at any time.
   
   
8. The director of the Disability Management System--Student Disability Access Office refers the student to the appropriate Disability Services Liaison. It is the student’s responsibility to make an appointment to meet with the Disability Services Liaison who will arrange for the implementation of the accommodations approved on the student’s Accommodations Agreement. A copy of the student’s signed Accommodation Agreement is sent to the student’s Disability Services Liaison. When accommodations are needed in areas such as housing and transportation, those offices are also copied.
   
   NOTE: Students must request accommodations each semester by meeting with their Disability Services Liaison. It is the student’s responsibility to schedule an appointment each semester to meet with his or her Disability Services Liaison to arrange for accommodations.
   
   
9. It is recommended that students who disagree with the eligibility
   and/or accommodations decisions made by the Disability Management System--Student Disability Access Office meet with the director to discuss their questions and concerns.
   
   
10. Student who disagree with the eligibility and/or accommodations decisions made by the Disability Management System--Student Disability Access Office, have the right to file a grievance and/or complaint. Information regarding the filing of a grievance and/or complaint is available by contacting the Office of Institutional Equity at (919) 668-6214.
    

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