Graceland University

**FALL 2020 ACCOMMODATION REQUESTS**

Documentation needs to be emailed to sds-info@graceland.edu, faxed to 641.784-5487, mailed to Student Disability Services office or hand delivered.

For questions related to the Lamoni, Iowa campus's Student Disability Services, please contact sds-info@graceland.edu or Diana Jones dianaj@graceland.edu or 641-784-5083.  Student Disability Services, Newcom Student Union, Room 31, Graceland University, 1 University Pl, Lamoni, IA 50140

For questions related to the Independence, Missouri campus's Student Disability Services, please contact Jill Whitworth, at jwhitwor@graceland.edu or call 816-423-4712. Student Disability Services, Graceland University, 1401 W Truman Rd, Independence, MO 64050

Graceland University is committed to full compliance with the Rehabilitation Act (Section 504) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). As part of the implementation of this law, the university will continue to provide reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities so that they can participate fully in the university's educational programs and activities. Although Graceland is not required by law to change the fundamental nature or essential curricular components of its programs in order to accommodate the needs of disabled students, the university will provide reasonable academic accommodations.

Students with physical disabilities are encouraged to contact Student Disability Services during the first week of class attendance or as early as possible. The office will work with the course instructor and the student to arrange for reasonable accommodations. Students are required at their own expense to provide documentation verifying disability.

The general definition of a student with a disability is any person who has “a physical or mental impairment which substantially limits one or more of such person’s activities, and any person who has a history of, or is regarded as having, such an impairment.”

ASSISTANCE ANIMAL PROCEDURES ARE LISTED AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE.

Click Here:  Student Disability Services Rights and Responsibilities

STEP ONE: Click Here: Graceland University Accommodations Request Form 

STEP TWO:  Submit Documentation

Supporting documentation from an appropriate licensed medical and/or educational professional is required in order to substantiate an individual’s request for many accommodations. This individual must have the necessary qualifications to accurately and properly diagnose the disability. The information required to support the accommodation request may vary depending on the nature of the disability.

This information should be current, though there may be times when the University can accept older documentation based on an individual’s specific circumstances. The report should be printed on professional letterhead and may not be written by an immediate family member of the individual.

Students who have a recent IEP or 504 plan may share copies to use for a documentation report.

The report needs to be emailed to sds-info@graceland.edu, faxed to Student Disability Services at 641.784.5487, delivered in person, mailed to the appropriate campus SDS office.  If you have questions regarding documentation guidelines please contact the SDS office at 641-784-5083 or sds-inf@graceland.edu.

Documentation Guidelines

The links listed below should assist with making decisions about supporting documentation. Please click on the one that fits your needs and share it with your practitioner so they can submit a complete report. 

Documentation Guidelines for Attention-Deficit Disorder (ADD)/Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Documentation Guidelines for Medical and/or Physical Disabilities (including Allergies/Asthma)

Documentation Guidelines for Neurodevelopmental Disabilities and/or Austism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

Documentation Guidelines for Psychiatric Disorders

Documentation Guidelines for Specific Learning Disabilities

Once the student has submitted the Graceland University Accommodation Request Form and their related Documentation from Step Two, the Student Disability Services Coordinator will contact the student for an intake interview.  The interview will go over the learning barriers the student experiences and what accommodations may work from them at Graceland.  It is the student's responsibility to respond to the email request to meet.  If the student makes an appointment and does not show up, it is the student's responsibility to reschedule.  Accommodations may not be granted until the intake interview has been completed.

WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF UPDATING OUR POLICY AND PROCEDURES FOR ASSISTANCE ANIMALS ON CAMPUS.  PLEASE CONTACT THE STUDENT DISABILITY SERVICES OFFICE FOR INFORMATION IF YOU ARE SEEKING THIS ACCOMMODATION.

A Service Animal is an animal individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability. The two animals which can legally fulfill this definition are dogs and miniature horses.

An Emotional Support Animal (ESA) is an animal selected to play an integral part of a person’s treatment process. The ESA must demonstrate a good temperament and reliable, predictable behavior. An ESA must be prescribed to an individual with a disability by a physician or mental health professional. An ESA is not a Service Animal.

GUIDELINES & REQUIREMENTS An exception to the animal and pet policy is granted for approved animals provided their behavior, noise, odor and waste do not exceed reasonable standards for a well-behaved animal and that these factors do not create unreasonable disruptions for other residents.

There are several steps in being granted the approval to bring an ESA to campus residential living.  First the student must be verified as a person living with a disability and that they need an ESA.  This process is handled through the Student Disability Services Office (SDS). Once verified the SDS Office will inform the student and the Residence Life Office that the student is eligible for an ESA.  The Residence Life require further documentation regarding the specific animal.  Once Documentation is received then a final meeting will take place with the Residence Life Director or their designee to verbally discuss exceptions and agreement before the ESA is permitted on campus.

Learn more about Service Animals or Emotional Support Animals by clicking this link: Procedural Guidelines for Maintaining a Service Animal or Emotional Support Animal (ESA) Within the Graceland University Residential Community