Accessibility Services

Students with documented disabilities have the right to expect all disability-related information will be kept private and it will not become part of any other student record at Delaware Valley University, to receive timely follow up to disability accommodation requests, to participate in an interactive and individualized request process, and to have reasonable accommodations identified and communicated to appropriate parties. For a full review of the Disability Accommodations Policy and Procedures, please visit this link.

In higher education, it is the student’s responsibility to notify an institution of the need for reasonable accommodations based on a documented disability. At DelVal, a student notifies the University by completing the Disability Accommodation Request form and providing adequate supporting documentation. 

Students with disabilities have specific responsibilities to:

• Submit the Disability Accommodation Request form and upload adequate supporting documentation,
• Initiate requests for reasonable accommodations in a timely manner,
• Follow procedures to help facilitate reasonable accommodations,
• Contact Accessibility Services if there are questions or difficulty is experienced with using the identified reasonable accommodations,
• Develop self-advocacy skills and communicate specific needs for accommodations.

Students are urged to submit requests as soon as possible, as the interactive and individualized review process can take several weeks. Please see section VIII. Timing and Renewal of Accommodation Requests of the Student Disability Accommodation Policy and Procedures for more detailed information.  

1. Complete the disability accommodation request form - Disability Accommodation Request Form 
   • If you are requesting multiple types of accommodations (such as, academic and housing), all information can be submitted on one request form. Be sure to answer all questions that apply to the requested accommodation(s).   
2. Upload adequate supporting documentation. Please refer to Appendix A in the request form. 
   • If applicable, a copy of an individualized education plan (IEP), 504 plan, most recent evaluation from an appropriate health care provider, and an accommodation letter from a previous institution should be included. 
3. Meet with a staff member from Accessibility Services through the interactive and individualized process to review the request.  
   • If you have a DelVal email address, a staff member will contact you at that address to schedule the meeting. It is important you check your DelVal email address regularly. Otherwise, the email address provided on the request form will be used. 
4. Information is reviewed, reasonable accommodations are determined, and follow-up is sent to the student. 
5. Accessibility Services will send an accommodation letter to the student’s instructors for the current semester. It is the student’s responsibility to notify Accessibility Services of any changes to their course schedule. 
6. It is the student’s responsibility to communicate with their instructors regarding the use of their reasonable accommodations. 

Disability accommodation requests for housing accommodations can be submitted at any time and will be reviewed. However, it is important for requests and adequate supporting documentation to be submitted by the dates outlined in the Housing Application. Reasonable accommodations identified are subject to availability for requests received after the outlined dates in the Housing Application have passed.    

1. Complete the disability accommodation request form - Disability Accommodation Request Form

   • Disability accommodation requests for housing accommodations include requests for an air conditioning unit. 

   • If you are requesting multiple types of accommodations (such as, academic and housing), all information can be submitted on one request form. Be sure to answer all questions that apply to the requested accommodation(s).   

2. Upload adequate supporting documentation. Please refer to Appendix B in the request form. 

   • Supporting documentation may include the most recent evaluation or assessment from an appropriate health care provider and if applicable, an accommodation letter from a previous institution.

3. Meet with a staff member from Accessibility Services through the interactive and individualized process to review the request.

   • If you have a DelVal email address, a staff member will contact you at that address to schedule the meeting. It is important you check your DelVal email address regularly. Otherwise, the email address provided on the request form will be used.

4. Information is reviewed, reasonable accommodations and duration are determined, and follow-up is sent to the student. 

5. Accessibility Services notifies the Office of Housing and Residence Life of a student’s reasonable accommodations for housing and the duration.

   • The Office of Housing and Residence Life will work to implement the reasonable accommodation(s) in housing. 

   • Reasonable accommodations identified are subject to availability for requests received after the outlined dates in the Housing Application have passed.    

6. It is the student’s responsibility to communicate any changes or updates with Accessibility Services.

Disability accommodation requests for housing accommodations can be submitted at any time and will be reviewed. However, it is important for requests and appropriate supporting documentation to be submitted by the dates outlined in the Housing Application. Reasonable accommodations identified are subject to availability for requests received after the outlined dates in the Housing Application have passed.     
 

1. Complete the disability accommodation request form - Disability Accommodation Request Form  
   • If you are requesting multiple types of accommodations (such as, academic and housing), all information can be submitted on one request form. Be sure to answer all questions that apply to the requested accommodation(s).    
2. Upload adequate supporting documentation. Please refer to Appendix C in the request form.  
   • Supporting documentation may include most recent evaluation or assessment from an appropriate health care provider and if applicable, an accommodation letter from a previous institution.
3. Complete an ESA information and agreement form - ESA Information and Agreement Form 
   • If the requested ESA is a dog, cat, ferret, or rat, submit the animal health compliance form as well (completed by a veterinarian) - Animal Health Compliance Form. Dogs, cats, ferrets, and rats must be up to date on all species appropriate vaccinations and boosters, including rabies. A copy of current vaccination records must be included.
   • The University takes its responsibility seriously to protect the safety, health and welfare of all members of our community and to preserve the mission and integrity of our academic programs, many of which involve animals. For this reason, submitting information about the ESA is part of the request process.   
4. Meet with a staff member from Accessibility Services through the interactive and individualized process to review the request.
   • If you have a DelVal email address, a staff member will contact you at that address to schedule the meeting. It is important you check your DelVal email address regularly. Otherwise, the email address provided on the request form will be used.
5. Information is reviewed, reasonable accommodations and duration are determined, and follow-up is sent to the student.
6. Accessibility Services notifies the Office of Housing and Residence Life of a student’s ESA accommodation, including species of animal.    
7. It is the student’s responsibility to communicate any changes or updates with Accessibility Services.

1. For academic accommodations, needs can vary depending upon a student's current course load, schedule, or course content, or the student’s disability status. Therefore, all students must renew their accommodation requests each semester (including summer sessions). If the accommodation request has not changed, the renewal process typically is a brief, online confirmation form of continued need. In some instances, updated documentation or other information may be required.

Complete the Request to Renew Academic Accommodations

2. For housing accommodations, they 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.

Complete the Disability Accommodation Renewal Request Form

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

Reasonable housing accommodations identified are subject to availability for requests received after the outlined dates in the Housing Application have passed.

3. ESA accommodation requests are renewed each academic year. The following forms must be
completed for the renewal request:
 
Disability Accommodation Renewal Request Form with updated adequate supporting documentation included
ESA Information and Agreement Form
Animal Health Compliance Form (for dogs, cats, ferrets, and rats)
 
Once all information is received, the interactive and individualized review process will begin.

IEPs and 504 Plans do not transfer to college. However, information included in them from the most current (re)-evaluation may provide helpful context for the office when working with students who have requested disability accommodations. 

A key difference from high school to college is it is the student’s responsibility to request disability accommodations (academic and other supports). Please click on the link for more detailed information about the differences from high school to college regarding accommodations.

Key Differences from High School to College

1. For academic accommodations, needs can vary depending upon a student's current course load, schedule, or course content, or the student’s disability status. Therefore, all students must renew their accommodation requests each semester (including summer sessions). If the accommodation request has not changed, the renewal process typically is a brief, online confirmation form of continued need. In some instances, updated documentation or other information may be required.

Complete the Request to Renew Academic Accommodations

2. For housing accommodations, they 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.   

Complete the Disability Accommodation Renewal Request Form

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

Reasonable housing accommodations identified are subject to availability for requests received after the outlined dates in the Housing Application have passed.

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

• Disability Accommodation Renewal Request Form with updated adequate supporting documentation included
• ESA Information and Agreement Form
• Animal Health Compliance Form (for dogs, cats, ferrets, and rats)

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 personnel who are involved with implementing one or more reasonable accommodation identified for a student only to the extent necessary to determine the appropriateness of a request and in order to implement approved accommodations.

The Institutional Research Office may collect non-identifying accommodation data for reporting purposes as well as quality control.

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, you will receive outreach to schedule a meeting to discuss your request in more detail. After all information is reviewed, reasonable accommodations are determined. 

Generally, the process takes 2 to 3 weeks. During high volume times, the process may take longer.  

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.

Accessibility Services can provide support for students navigating a temporary injury or medical condition. Please complete the Disability Accommodation Request Form and include any supporting documentation you may have. A staff member from the office will follow up with you after receiving your completed request form. 

Staff from the Office of Accessibility Services can be contacted regarding any concerns with an accommodation. Please contact Kelly Hojnacki, Leslee Blahut, or Sarah Masucci.

For more detailed information, please review the Grievance Procedures