Accommodations for Students with Disabilities

Accommodations for Students with ADHD, Cognitive, Neurological and Other Learning Disabilities

Accommodations for Students with Disabilities

Accommodations for Students with Developmental, Medical, Mobility, Physical and Psychiatric Disabilities 

There are two basic steps to obtain accommodations through the Office of Learning Services.

1. For a student with a physical disability (including asthma, allergies, developmental disorders including Autism, mobility and psychiatric disabilities), complete a Special Assistance Request Form for Students with Disabilities. This form must be returned to the Office of Learning Services (the address is shown on the first page of the form). Newly admitted students may receive a link to this form from Admissions. Note: This form must be signed by the student before services can be rendered.
2. Submit documentation from your physician, neuropsychologist, psychologist, therapist or qualifying practitioner with your diagnosis and the types of accommodations that may be required by the disability. This documentation should be on the practitioner’s letterhead, signed by the practitioner, and indicate how the disability impacts your learning. Disability documentation that does not meet guidelines will be returned to the student. (For detailed information about what must be part of the documentation, click on the Documentation Guidelines link.) Documentation may be sent to the Office of Learning Services along with the Special Assistance Request Form for Students with Disabilities or sent alone.

Note: This form must be signed by the student before services can be provided.

When these two documents have been received, they will be reviewed by the Director of the Office of Learning Services who will complete a list of the accommodations for the new student. The student will receive a confirmation letter listing the accommodations and provided general information about receiving services from this office. Please note: There will be ample opportunity for an exchange of information through a deliberative process between the Director, Office of Learning Services and any student requesting accommodations. Students are welcome to contact the Office of Learning Services to request an appointment to discuss their accommodation needs at any time during the process of requesting initial services or throughout their enrollment at Millersville University. Upon consultation with the Director, students may request additional accommodations that are supported by their documentation.

The Director of the Office of Learning Services may ask the student to make an appointment and come into the office to discuss their accommodations. Students with physical disabilities who have any type of mobility issues and/or are in need of special classroom setups are encouraged to meet with the Director prior to their attendance at Millersville University to discuss possible accommodations and campus accessibility issues. However, students are welcome to discuss their needs as they arise and can do so by contacting our office at 717-871-5554.

Academic Accommodations for Online Courses

Obtaining Academic Accommodations for Online Courses

Online courses offer students the ability to complete courses that may be otherwise out of their reach due to distance and disability. Online courses offer flexibility for those working full time and those whose schedules do not permit day time course offerings. Students who are requesting academic accommodations for online courses must be registered with the Office of Learning Services and provide eligible documentation as noted in the documentation guidelines. For convenience, our Special Accommodation Request Form is available online for easy access and can be downloaded, completed and delivered during open office hours, mailed, e-mailed or faxed to our office. Online accommodations will be considered on an individual basis through collaboration with the student, faculty member and the Director of the Office of Learning Services. The student will receive a confirmation letter by mail when accommodations are confirmed. The faculty member will also receive a professor letter outlining the student's accommodations.

Things to Consider

Students should carefully consider their disability and its functional limitations prior to registering for an online course. For example, online courses may require excessive reading that could be problematic for those with reading fluency and reading comprehension disabilities. Students should consider reading software that can help manage required reading.

Students may need to review their organization and time-management skills to determine if they are able to keep up with the demands of an online course. This can be particularly difficult for individuals with attention deficit and executive function disorders who may be challenged by self-monitoring, time management and organization skills. Many of these students require consistent structure to perform at their best. An online course requires one to be self-disciplined, self-motivated and able to work independently to meet deadlines for submitting projects and assignments.

Students should have adequate computer skills and feel comfortable using technology. Additional technology such as screen readers, text-to-speech software, etc. may be necessary to help navigate an online course successfully. Students may want to consider using Kurzweil 3000 and contact the Office of Learning Services at Learning.Services@millersville.edu to be registered for an account.

When in doubt, contact the professor of the online course and the Office of Learning Services to discuss the accessibility of the course with your disability in mind.