Official University Policy Manual

File code: STU.DISABILITY.POL
Approval Date: 07/31/97
Approved By: President

Policy on Services for Students With Disabilities

Western Illinois University complies with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990. According to Section 504, "no otherwise qualified handicapped individual in the United States...shall, solely by reason of his (or her) handicap, be excluded from the participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving federal financial assistance..."

  1. The Affirmative Action Office assumes responsibility for the University properly interpreting federal regulations requiring that the University take necessary steps to ensure that the University deny no student with a disability the benefits of, excluded from participation in, or otherwise subjected to discrimination because of the absence of educational auxiliary aids for students with impaired sensory, manual, or speaking skills. The Affirmative Action Officer is responsible for coordinating the University's compliance with these regulations.
  2. The University requires sufficient advance notice to give the various academic and service areas a reasonable period in which to evaluate requests. Students should complete the steps listed below well ahead of the anticipated need for services.
    1. Students must be admitted to and/or enrolled in the University.
    2. Students requesting auxiliary aids, academic adjustments, or other special services should first contact the University's Coordinator of Disability Support Services. If the request requires modification of academic procedural requirements or special testing and/or course evaluation methods, students must provide a written diagnosis from appropriate professional personnel. Such diagnosis is subject to verification by the University.
    3. Generally, the University will require students to present proof of denial of funds by the Department of Human Services Office of Rehabilitation before the University will consider requests that require special funding. A student may, however, receive consideration of such requests before the Department of Human Services Office of Rehabilitation's action if there is a substantial delay by the Department of Human Services Office of Rehabilitation due to no fault of the student.
    4. In conjunction with the Affirmative Action Office and the ADA Advisory Committee, the coordinator of Disability Support Services will decide the student's educational need for the requested auxiliary aid, academic adjustments, or other special services. Auxiliary aids, academic adjustments, or other special services determined to be necessary will be provided at no cost to the student.
  3. Students who believe that they have experienced discrimination based on a disability can seek resolution through the University's Discrimination Grievance Procedure. Information and consultation on these procedures are available through the Affirmative Action Office.