Accessibility Services

The Office of Accessibility Services (OAS) is committed to providing equal access to individuals with disabilities in accordance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, The ADA of 1990 and the ADA amended. DelVal will make reasonable accommodations unless doing so will fundamentally alter the nature of the service or program or pose an undue administrative or financial burden.  The Office of Accessibility Services (OAS) provides services that promote independence and inclusion in all areas of university life.

OAS serves students with disabilities including students with learning, cognitive, psychiatric, medical, physical, and other health-related impairments.  Regardless of the number of students who seek support and accommodations, DelVal is a diverse community of learners, and OAS promotes a culture of inclusion designed to universally support everyone.

Our office

  • Collaboration and consultation across departments to foster accessibility and academic support
  • Reasonable accommodations based on disability
  • Educational outreach, referrals, and advocacy

College Accommodations

Students with a diagnosed medical, physical, psychological, and/or learning-based disability may qualify for services and accommodations that aim to provide equal access to academic opportunities and programs across campus.  Accommodations are determined on an individual basis and are determined by understanding the functional limitations within the context of the environment.

About the Process 

In post-secondary education, students initiate the process for requesting accommodations. All information is kept confidential.  At DelVal, students initiate the process by completing a disability pre-intake form and uploading documentation.  From there, the student meets with an Office of Accessibility Services staff member to develop a reasonable accommodation plan based on the disability and its impact in the educational setting.  Please see Office of Accessibility Services Policies and Guidelines for Students for more information. 

For academic accommodations, once accommodations are determined, an “Accessibility Letter” is sent to the students instructors. Students must request a new letter each semester by completing a semester renewal form.  Students also must notify Accessibility Services of any changes to their schedule or accommodation needs.  It is the student’s responsibility to follow policies and procedures related to the implementation of accommodations.

Students with disabilities have specific responsibilities to:

  • Submit the pre-intake form initially and upload adequate supporting documentation,
  • Initiate requests for reasonable accommodations in a timely manner,
  • Follow procedures to help facilitate reasonable accommodations,
  • Request an Accommodation Letter each semester the student is enrolled,
  • Contact Accessibility Services if there are questions or difficulty is experienced with using the identified reasonable accommodations,
  • Meet with instructors to discuss their accommodations within each course

Students requesting accommodations should complete the following:

1. SUBMIT A PRE-INTAKE FORM for any housing and academic accommodations being requested. 

2. PROVIDE DOCUMENTATION: Students will need to upload documentation that substantiates the need for accommodations. Documentation must include a diagnosis, functional limitations, and recommendations from a qualified medical provider.

3. SCHEDULE AN INTAKE MEETING: Students can book an initial meeting or a OAS staff member will reach out. The meeting will discuss educational history, accommodation needs, and other resources available.

4. DETERMINATION: Reasonable accommodations will be determined based on documentation and intake.  An Accommodation Letter (for academic accommodations) will be sent to the student and instructors.  Please note that students must renew their Accommodation Letter each semester.

Documentation of a student’s disability is required to determine reasonable accommodations. Documentation must show a direct link between the disability and the requested accommodation.

Appropriate types of documentation include:   

  • An evaluation including diagnostic and testing information from the student’s school district,
  • A Neuro-psychoeducational Evaluation or Psychoeducational Evaluation Report from a licensed Psychiatrist, Neuropsychologist or neurologist
  • A letter provided by a licensed and credentialed provider, unrelated to the student, on the practitioner's letterhead that states the 1) diagnosis 2) functional limitations, and 3) recommendations for support.

Please see the following appendices/guidelines to accommodations:

Appendix A: Academic

Appendix B: Housing

Appendix C: Emotional Support Animal

The big difference between high school and college is that students must self-disclose their disability and advocate for themselves upon entrance and throughout their college experience.  The Office of Accessibility Services provides support, referrals, and resources to help students build life-long self-advocacy skills.

Differences between High School and College for Students with Disabilities

Frequently Asked Questions

The IEP is often not sufficient documentation by itself, and OAS may request the evaluation on which the IEP was determined.  If the IEP includes current diagnostic information, diagnosis, and disability history, the IEP may be sufficient.  Please note that not all accommodation from high school apply in college.  The interactive process will determine reasonable accommodations within the academic environment at DelVal. 

Once students are registered with Accessibility Services their accommodations remain for the duration of time at DelVal.  Students only need to renew their accommodations each semester. In some instances, students request changes to their accommodations and provide additional documentation.

For housing accommodations, students may need to be renewed from year to year, depending on the nature of the accommodation and the student’s disability status.  The Office of Accessibility Services communicates directly with students whose accommodation requires renewal.    

Reasonable housing accommodations are subject to availability.

ESA accommodation requests are renewed each academic year. The following forms must be completed for the renewal request: 

Once all information is received, the interactive and individualized review process will begin. 

It is essential that supporting documentation helps Accessibility Services to understand how a student is currently impacted by the documented disability. Information that supports the need for higher education accommodations should be clearly outlined in the documentation. If a disability fluctuates or is progressive, updated documentation may be required. 

Typically, current or recent documentation means no longer than 3 years for specified learning disabilities or ADHD. For fluctuating psychiatric or medical conditions (such as, migraine headaches or generalized anxiety disorder), it is preferred that documentation be within the past year from the date of the submitted request. For permanent disabilities, (such as, hard of hearing or deaf), documentation from most recent appointment with health care provider is adequate (this may include appointments beyond the timeframes listed above).   

All information submitted to or developed by the University related to the requests, diagnosis, documentation, or accommodation of a disability is considered private and will not become part of any other student record at Delaware Valley University. Disability information may be released to instructors or other appropriate University staff on a educational need-to-know basis.

All documents supporting a disability on file with the Office of Accessibility Services will be retained and destroyed in accordance with applicable law.

The disability accommodation request process is individualized and interactive. After a completed request form and adequate supporting documentation are received, students will receive outreach to schedule a meeting to discuss their request in more detail. After all information is reviewed, reasonable accommodations are determined.  

The process can take 2-3 weeks. 

Services are available to those students who have testing accommodations on file for the current semester. The Office of Accessibility Services communicates the necessary information and corresponding sign-up forms directly with these students each semester. 

Please contact Accessibility Services at accessibilityservices@delval.edu. For more detailed information, please review the Grievance Procedures.

Delta Alpha Pi Seal
Delta Alpha Pi Honor Society

This Honor Society recognizes the academic accomplishments of students with disabilities and facilitates development of skills in leadership, advocacy and education for participating students. 

Kelly Deasy, Director of Accessibility Services

Office: Segal Hall 102

Sarah Masucci, Assistant Director for Accessibility Services

Office: First Floor, Segal Hall

Beth Portnoy, Administrative Assistant

Office: First Floor, Segal Hall