Frequently Asked Questions
For easier navigation and use, the frequently asked questions have been broken down into general common questions asked, as well as questions asked by parents and students, and faculty and staff.
General
What laws protect individuals with disabilities from discrimination in the college/university setting?
Qualified individuals with disabilities are protected by Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act of 2008, as well as other state and local regulations. The Americans with Disabilities Act is chiefly civil rights legislation; oversight provided by the United States Department of Justice and he United States Department of Education Office of Civil Rights.
To whom do these laws apply?
All enrolled students, visitors to our campus potential students who are visiting as well as their parents, people attending campus events, faculty and staff members are protected by these laws.
Who has a duty to comply with disability laws?
All students and employees of Elon University should be aware of and comply with these laws.
How do students at Elon University access Disabilities Resources?
Disabilities Resources is located on the 2nd floor of Belk Library in Suite 226, and the hours of operation are Monday through Friday from 8:00AM to 5:00PM.
Staff can be reached by calling (336) 278-6568 or via email at disabilities@elon.edu.
In order to access services, a student must disclose his or her disabilities to the Disabilities Resources Office and provide documentation demonstrating that the individual has a mental or physical impairment which substantially, limits one or more major life activities, has a record of such impairment, or is regarded as having such and impairment. Additional information and documentation may be requested as part of the interactive process.
Professors who have concerns about an individual who is not registered as a student with disability are encouraged to refer that student to Disabilities Resources.
For Parents and Students
What are the differences between secondary and post-secondary education in terms of disabilities services?
There are several differences between secondary and post-secondary services for individuals with disabilities:
| High School | College/University |
|---|---|
| Students are often identified by teachers and school begins the accommodations process | Students must self-identify and seek accommodations from Disabilities Resources |
| Documentation of a disability may be provided by or paid by the school | Documentation of a disability needs to be provided by a medical or mental health professional who knows the student; this assessment and documentation is paid for by the student/their family |
| Student accommodation plan is typically documented in either a 504 Plan or Individualized Education Plan (IEP) | Student receives a letter documenting approved accommodations, which they with their professors, 504 Plans and IEPs (Individualized Education Plan) do not transfer |
| Parents have access to records and can advocate for their student | Parents only have access to records if the student provides written consent; student advocates for self in an interactive process, with parents in support role if student authorizes |
| Accommodations are implemented to support student success | Accommodations are implemented to support student access |
What are some examples of disabilities that are accommodated at Elon University?
Disabilities Resources engages in the interactive process with all students who self-disclose a documented disability. Reasonable accommodations will be offered to qualified students with following types of disabilities, which is not an exhaustive list: learning disabilities, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, psychological and psychiatric conditions, mobility issues, chronic illnesses, and sensory impairments.
What accommodations and services are available to students with disabilities?
Disabilities Resources works with students on an individual, case-by-case basis and determine reasonable and appropriate accommodations to meet their specific needs through an interactive process. What constitutes a reasonable accommodation may vary depending on the essential requirements of the course or program. The office has a Peer Mentor Program that is available to all students registered with Disabilities Resources. Additionally, students are encouraged to use the Learning Assistance Center located on the 2nd floor of the Belk Library and the Writing Center located on the 1st floor of Belk Library; these services are available to all students. Students with appropriately documented disabilities are provided with reasonable accommodations that allow them equitable access to buildings, programs, and curricula of the University. Requested accommodations that would constitute a fundamental alteration to a course or program with not be granted.
When should the student notify Elon University about their disability?
Students are encouraged to register with the Disabilities Resources office at any time after they have been admitted to the University – the sooner the better. Documentation will not be processed until after students have been admitted.
Should the student disclose their disability during the admissions process?
That is entirely up to the individual. There are some students who feel that disclosure is necessary in order for admissions officers to understand the type of students they are; these individuals may want to include information about their disability status in an admissions essay. However, students will not be asked directly about their disability status during the admissions process, and disclosure is not required at this stage.
Is the student required to show documentation of their disability to faculty members?
No. Faculty members are provided accommodations letters (delivered by the student) which identify the individual as a student with a disability and list the accommodations that have been approved for that student. No additional documentation is required for the faculty member. Students are encouraged to have discussions with their faculty members about what their needs are and how their accommodations will be put in place; however, students are not required to disclose the specific nature of their disability issues.
What if the student needs a housing accommodation due to their documented disability?
Disabilities Resources works with Residence Life and the University Housing Accommodations Committee to review requests for and provide approved reasonable housing accommodations. More information can be found on the Disabilities Resources website. Undergraduate Student Housing Accommodation Request | Disabilities Resources | Elon University.
What if the student needs a world language accommodation?
All students are required to fulfill Elon’s World Languages and Cultures requirement. World language accommodations are provided either in the form of pass/fail or a substitution. Students must have sufficient supporting documentation indicating the presence of a disability that will make learning a language extremely difficult; generally, a student must also demonstrate, a history of enrollment in such classes with poor results. Typically, students who have never taken such classes will be asked to enroll; performance in the class will be evaluated before the end of the drop/add period, and a decision regarding the substitution will be made at that time.
Students should contact Disabilities Resources to schedule a meeting with a staff member to discuss their request for a world language accommodation. If it is determined that world language accommodation is reasonable and appropriate, Disabilities Resources will write a formal recommendation to the Associate Provost for Academic Affairs. The student will then need to schedule a meeting with the Associate Provost to discuss their request. If the Associate Provost approves a student’s request for a substitution accommodation, alternative courses will be discussed, and the Registrar’s Office will be notified so a student’s transcript accurately reflects they have completed the World Languages and Cultures requirement whenever they complete the alternative course as part of their substitution accommodation.
How often must the student provide new documentation to the Disabilities Resources?
Once you are registered as a student with a disability, further documentation of your disability is generally not required. However, if there are changes in your condition or you require further accommodations that are not warranted through the initial documentation, further evaluation may be requested.
Why do students have to complete a Semester Request for Accommodations every semester?
Students’ needs change from time to time and from class to class. It is therefore a good idea to consider how your needs are being served and if there are any additional accommodations are necessary.
Completing a Semester Request ensures your approved accommodations are linked to the courses in which you are enrolled. Once Disabilities Resources processes your Semester Request, you will receive your official letter of accommodations that you should share with each of your faculty member. Once you have shared your letter with your faculty members and had a conversation with each of them about your needs, your accommodations are considered active in your course(s).
Please note that during the Winter term or Summer session, some accommodations may not be appropriate due to the shortened or condensed format of the semester or session. In addition, accommodations that are determined to the reasonable on the main Elon campus may not be reasonable or appropriate in the study abroad programs.
What if a student asks for an accommodation that is not referenced in their Disabilities Resources approved accommodation letter?
The faculty member should consult with Disabilities Resources. The responsibility for reviewing and approving accommodations rests with Disabilities Resources, not with faculty members or administrators outside of the Disabilities Resources office.
For Faculty and Staff
How does a faculty member know that the accommodations that have been approved are appropriate?
Documentation for students with disabilities is thoroughly analyzed and all requests for accommodations must be appropriate and reasonable in order to be approved. Upon presentation of the accommodations letter, faculty members are expected to help provide the accommodations that have been approved for each individual student unless such accommodations constitute a fundamental alteration of the curriculum.
May a faculty member look at their students’ documentation to see if they think accommodations are reasonable?
No. All disabilities-related information is shared with Elon University faculty and staff on a need-to-know basis only, and documentation from health care or other professionals to support a request for accommodations will not be shared absent unusual circumstances. The records of students with disabilities are confidential.
What should a faculty member do if a student asks for accommodations after he/she takes an exam?
Accommodations are not retroactive; faculty members are under no obligation to provide accommodations requested after a student takes an exam, misses or fails an assignment, etc. Faculty members are encouraged to refer all non-registered students who indicate that they have disability-related needs to Disabilities Resources.
How does a faculty member support a student with a consideration for flexible attendance accommodation?
Faculty members are responsible for establishing attendance requirements for their classes and communicating those requirements clearly via their syllabus at the beginning of each term. All students, regardless of disability, are responsible for fulfilling the essential requirements of the applicable course, program, or degree.
If a student has an approved flexibility attendance accommodation, the student and faculty member should discuss the faculty member’s attendance policy and the student should explain their needs. Disabilities Resources highly encourages students and their faculty members to complete the Flexibility with Attendance Plan, which can be found on the “Information for Faculty” section on the Disabilities Resources website. If the student misses class due to a disability-related reason, it is the student’s responsibility to notify Disabilities Resources by emailing disabilities@elon.edu with a brief description of the reason for missing class. Disabilities Resources will then send an email to the student’s faculty member(s) to confirm the missed class(es).
If a faculty member believes a student’s flexible attendance accommodation will create a fundamental alteration in a course, the faculty member may seek review through Disabilities Resources’ Fundamental Alteration Review Process. This process can be found on the “Information for Faculty” section on the Disabilities Resources website.
If a faculty member has questions about how to implement an approved flexible attendance accommodation, please outreach to Disabilities Resources. We are happy to have a conversation and help you support your student.
How do a faculty member know what accommodations they have to provide to a student?
Students who require accommodations are provided with notification letters for each of their faculty members. These letters identify the individual as a student with a disability and list the accommodations that have been approved. Faculty members can also log in to their Accommodate faculty portal to view which students have accommodations in their course(s). If professors have any questions or concerns regarding a student’s approved accommodations, they should contact Disabilities Resources.
Does status as a student with a disability affect whether a faculty member is obligated to talk with parents about student performance (grades, attendance, etc.)?
No. Unless a student has signed a FERPA release, faculty and staff are not permitted or obligated to speak with parents about their student’s performance in the classroom.