Handbook of Operating Procedures > Series 500 Student Success > 5.14.1 Reasonable Accommodation of Students

5.14.1 Reasonable Accommodation of Students

A. Purpose 

The University of Texas at Tyler ("University" or "UT Tyler") is committed to providing an educational environment that is welcoming and inclusive of all members of the University community.

As part of this effort, UT Tyler is committed to providing students with equal access to and the opportunity to participate in all university programs, activities, and facilities. The University strives to promote an educational environment that is free from physical, technological, and attitudinal barriers.

In accordance with federal and state laws, including but not limited to the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), as amended by the ADA Amendments Act of 2008 (ADAAA), UT Tyler prohibits discrimination based on disability in all programs, services, and activities. The purpose of this policy is to ensure the provision of reasonable accommodations to qualified students with disabilities unless doing so imposes an undue hardship or fundamentally alters the nature of a service, program, or activity.

B. Persons Affected

This policy applies to all students and applicants for admission to the University.

C. Definitions

Disability: The term "disability" means:

• a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities;
• a record of such an impairment; or
• being regarded as having such an impairment.

The impairment may be permanent, chronic, or progressive. A condition that is temporary, episodic, or in remission may also be considered a disability if the condition is substantially limiting when active.

Major Life Activities: 

• IN GENERAL – major life activities include, but are not limited to, caring for oneself, performing manual tasks, seeing, hearing, eating, sleeping, walking, standing, lifting, bending, speaking, breathing, learning, reading, concentrating, thinking, communicating, and working.

   

• MAJOR BODILY FUNCTIONS – a major life activity also includes the operation of a major bodily function, including but not limited to, functions of the immune system, normal cell growth, digestive, bowel, bladder, neurological, brain, respiratory, circulatory, endocrine, and reproductive functions.

Substantially Limits: An impairment is substantially limiting if a person is unable to perform an activity as compared to an average person in the general population. An impairment need not prevent or severely or significantly limit a major life activity to be considered "substantially limiting."

Qualified Individual with a Disability: A student with a disability who has been admitted to the University and requires assistance to achieve equal access to university programs, services, and activities.

Reasonable Accommodation: a modification, adjustment, or elimination of a barrier to a program or service that enables an individual with a disability to participate on an equal basis and enjoy the same benefits and privileges as similarly situated individuals without disabilities. Public entities and those receiving federal financial assistance are required to make reasonable modifications in policies, practices, and procedures that deny equal access to individuals with disabilities, unless making the modifications would fundamentally alter the nature of the service, program, or activity. Examples might include:

• Program modifications, such as changes in the length of time permitted for the completion of degree requirements, substitution of specific courses required for the completion of degree requirements and adaptation of the manner in which specific courses are conducted;
• Adjustments to testing situations such as extended time for taking a test or taking a test in a separate room; and/or
• Auxiliary aids and services such as qualified interpreters, note-takers, assistive listening devices, or other effective methods of making aurally delivered materials available to students with hearing impairments; orally given tests, access to screen readers or other effective methods of making materials available for students with visual impairments, and classroom equipment adapted for use by students with manual impairments, and other similar services and actions.

Undue Hardship: Undue hardship shall conform to definitions provided by federal and state statutes. In determining whether an accommodation would impose an undue hardship, factors to be considered include the nature and cost of the accommodation, financial consideration and resources, the impact of the accommodation on the nature and operation of the course, and how the request would affect the health and safety of others.

D. Policy and Procedures

1. Accommodation Determination Process

The Office of Student Accessibility and Resources ("SAR") approves and coordinates support services, accommodations, and assistive technology for students with disabilities. SAR works with faculty and staff to ensure equal access to all university programs, services, and activities for students with disabilities. SAR determines eligibility for services and reasonable accommodations and develops plans for the implementation of accommodations for students with disabilities.

SAR outlines the details of the accommodation determination process for students, including information about required supporting documentation. Students should visit the SAR website at https://www.uttyler.edu/disability-services/ to initiate a request for disability-related accommodations.

Once all required documentation is received, SAR will engage in an interactive process with each student and review requests for accommodations on an individualized, case-by-case basis. SAR may consider reasonable alternatives to accommodation requests, though weight is given to a student's preference.

SAR may assist students in the informal resolution of complaints regarding accommodations. Students who are having difficulties with their instructors or who want to address other accommodation-related issues should contact SAR at 903-566-7079 or saroffice@uttyler.edu

2. Grievance Procedure

Complaints concerning disability-related accommodations shall be sent in writing to the Assistant Director of Student Accessibility and Resources. The Assistant Director will present the case within five (5) working days to the Chief Student Success Officer. A written decision will be mailed to the complainant within ten (10) working days of its receipt by the Chief Student Success Officer.

E. Responsibilities

The Chief Student Success Officer is over this policy. Responsibility for implementation of this policy has been delegated to the Assistant Director of Student Accessibility and Resources.

F. Review

This policy shall be reviewed every five years by the following stakeholders:

Dean of Students

Director of Environmental Health and Safety

Faculty Senate President

Student Government Association President