Requesting Reasonable Accommodations
Who is Eligible for Reasonable Accommodations?
Students with documented learning, physical, sensory, health, or psychiatric disabilities may request reasonable accommodations to ensure access to educational, housing, dining, and co-curricular activities at Wesleyan.
Students who have, or suspect they may have, a disability for which they would like to request accommodations, should contact Accessibility Services to discuss their needs.
What is a Reasonable Accommodation?
Accommodations that are considered reasonable are those that do not fundamentally alter the nature of an academic course or the institution's policies, and do not place an undue hardship on the institution. Reasonable accommodations are distinguished from services of a personal nature, which Wesleyan University does not provide but the student may choose to employ. Such services of a personal nature may include individual assistants or coaches.
REQUESTING ACCOMMODATIONS
Students who wish to request 504/ADA reasonable accommodations are expected to self-disclose by completing the Disability Notification / Accommodation Form and providing current documentation of their disability. Students can contact Accessibility Services at any time, though many students do it in their first semester, sending their documentation to the office in advance of their arrival on campus.
For more information, please visit:
Academic Accommodations
Housing/Dietary Accommodations
Food Allergies and Dietary Conditions
Even if you think you may not want to request accommodations for your disability, you are encouraged to make an appointment with our office to discuss your options and resources. Whether you are a new or current student, Accessibility Services is ready to help you have the best possible experience at Wesleyan University. We are happy to talk with you about the services we offer, but you must initiate the process. Please contact our office to set up a time to discuss your request for support services.
REVIEW OF DOCUMENTATION
Accessibility Services reviews each student's situation individually, assessing the request and relevant documentation. Accommodation requests are considered within the context of the documentation, course requirements, and available resources. Accessibility Services may review requests for reasonable accommodations with either the Office of Counseling and Psychological Services or Health Services, in order to determine appropriate accommodations.
If the documentation which has been submitted does not contain sufficient information to determine appropriate accommodations, the student will be contacted. Students are able to meet with Accessibility Services to discuss the documentation, and/or can submit additional documentation for review at any time.
DETERMINATION OF ACCOMMODATIONS
Students who are requesting accommodations are required to meet with Accessibility Services. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss your disability in the context of your academic and nonacademic plans, review documentation, and at your request, to assist you with arranging appropriate accommodations with your professors and other university offices, as needed.
Accommodation requests are considered within the context of both submitted documentation and available resources. Each student's situation is reviewed based on the information shared by the student and the relevant documentation to determine the type of accommodation recommended.
Appeals and Grievances
When the request for an accommodation has been denied, or when an approved accommodation has not been received, students have a right to report the incident through any of the procedures outlined on the Appeals and Grievances page.
Rights and Responsibilities
Students With Disabilities at Wesleyan University
Wesleyan University is committed to ensuring equal opportunity for students with disabilities to access the university's programs and services. This process is a collaborative effort between the individual student and the university; understanding your rights and responsibilities, and the rights and responsibilities of the institution, is essential to the process of accommodation. View the rights and responsibilities on the Students With Disabilities at Wesleyan University page.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Students with a disability need to be well informed about their rights and responsibilities, as well as the responsibilities postsecondary schools have toward them, in order to ensure having a full opportunity to enjoy the benefits of the postsecondary education experience. The information on the following website, provided by the Office for Civil Rights in the U. S. Department of Education, explains the rights and responsibilities of students with disabilities who are preparing to attend postsecondary schools, as well as the obligations of a postsecondary school. View the publication on the Students with Disabilities Preparing for Postsecondary Education website.