Process for Seeking Accommodation

Step 1: Self-Identification; Documentation

In accordance with federal guidelines, FNU requires that a student seeking an academic accommodation(s) self-identify, and provide a formal written request for accommodation, supported by diagnostic and medical evidence. Disclosure of a disability is voluntary. Students do not need to self-identify as having a disability if they are not seeking academic accommodations or assignment to accessible facilities. Students who are seeking accommodations, however, should start the process as early in their academic journey as possible.

Students who believe they are in need of an accommodation should review the Disability Accommodation Documentation Guidelines and present a completed Disability Accommodation Request Form (including the required supporting documentation) to an Accessibility Coordinator. The Disability Accommodation Documentation Guidelines and Request Form can be found at: https://www.fnu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/FNU-Disability-Request-form-D0843675-3.pdf. Part 1 of the Disability Accommodation Request Form should be completed by the student, and Part 2 should be completed by the student’s treating or diagnosing professional.

Accommodation requests and supporting documentation may be submitted in person at the Student Services Office of any campus, or directly to an accessibility coordinator. Documents submitted in person should be placed in a sealed envelope and marked confidential. Students are strongly encouraged to submit their documentation in person. If you are unable to submit your documentation in person, you may submit your documents by utilizing your FNU student email directly to an accessibility coordinator. Students should follow up via phone call or an additional email to ensure that documents sent electronically were received by the accessibility coordinator. Please refer to the Disability Accommodation Documentation Guidelines for more information about appropriate documentation.

Students are welcome to contact an Accessibility Coordinator either before or after submitting the required information. The Accessibility Coordinator can guide the student through filling out the required forms and can advise on what supporting documentation may be required.

Once the student completes the required forms and collects the supporting documentation, the file is verified for completeness by an Accessibility Coordinator.

Students should not self-identify to any faculty or staff other than the designated Accessibility Coordinators. Faculty are required to include in every syllabus specific information that directs students who may require accommodations to the appropriate university officials. At no time are faculty, program directors, staff, or division heads permitted to provide accommodations to any student outside of this policy. All faculty are required to provide officially granted academic accommodations, without modification.

Step 2: Determination

An Accessibility Coordinator will review the requested accommodation(s) to determine if the accommodation(s) are properly documented and supported by a qualified professional who is treating or diagnosing the student. Additional or updated documentation may be required if the provided documentation does not demonstrate the existence of a qualifying disability and its potential impact on the student in our academic environment, or does not identify recommended accommodation(s). If additional documentation is needed, the student will be informed in a timely manner. Please refer to the Disability Accommodation Documentation Guidelines for more information.

Where additional or updated supporting documentation is needed, the Accessibility Coordinator may work with students to provide accommodations on a temporary, time-limited basis while such additional or updated documentation is being obtained. Any such temporary accommodations should not be construed to be necessary, required, or ongoing. There is no obligation for FNU to provide such temporary accommodations, and they do not obligate the University to provide permanent academic accommodations.

Step 3: Nature of Accommodations; Notification

Appropriate accommodations will be determined based on the student’s disability and individual needs. Accommodations may include auxiliary aids and services, as well as modifications to academic requirements as necessary to ensure equal educational opportunity.

Each request for accommodations is reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Students with the same diagnosis may receive different accommodations depending on the specific circumstances applicable to them. A reasonable accommodation does not include an accommodation that would impose an undue financial or administrative burden, or that would require the University to fundamentally alter its academic programs or lower or substantially modify essential requirements. Additional details can be found in the definition of Reasonable Accommodation, below.

The Accessibility Coordinator(s) will provide an official letter detailing the accommodations that are approved for the student. The official letter will not include any medical information and will only detail the approved accommodations. For each course in which the student wants the approved accommodations to be utilized, the student must provide the faculty the letter that details the approved accommodations. Students are advised that they are not required to disclose any details regarding their disability to any faculty member. Faculty members may verify the approved accommodations by contacting an Accessibility Coordinator.

In the event the requested academic accommodation(s) are denied (in whole or in part), the Accessibility Coordinator will provide a rationale for the denial. Students should expect an interactive process to identify appropriate accommodations. Where a student’s preferred accommodation is denied because it would result in a fundamental alteration or undue financial or administrative burden, the University will seek to provide an alternative accommodation, if available.

Step 4: Ongoing Review; Changes to Program

FNU maintains an ongoing dialogue with students requesting and receiving accommodations. Students should remain in contact with an Accessibility Coordinator. Should the student’s needs change, and/or they wish to request additional or different accommodations, they are encouraged to contact an Accessibility Coordinator.

Students contemplating changing their program should consult with the Accessibility Coordinator as early as possible. Because the availability of certain academic accommodations depends on a student’s program of enrollment, students changing educational programs (including advancing to a new degree level) must submit a new request in order to reestablish their accommodation(s) for the new program and may be required to obtain new documentation. However, this process will be streamlined to the extent possible.