Disability Services
Our mission is to remove obstacles to a liberal arts education, by providing support and accommodations to otherwise qualified students with both visible and invisible disabilities while they embark on their pursuit of knowledge. We stand behind their journey towards a goal of using their talents, aspirations and intelligence to play a significant role in our democratic society. We are also committed to promoting a universal design in education, architecture and product design to improve the environment for all citizens and to decrease the need to ask for special accommodations.
A disability is a physical, learning or psychological impairment or disease that substantially limits a major life activity. Some examples of major life activities are:
Communicating Learning Focusing Reading Writing
Breathing Seeing Hearing Walking
Eating Sleeping Grooming
What is the law and how does it apply to higher education?
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the American with Disabilities Act mandate that universities provide all, otherwise qualified, students, equal access to programs and activities by having nondiscriminatory standards in all academic areas and by providing reasonable accommodations on a case by case basis.
What are reasonable accommodations?
Reasonable accommodations are adjustments or minor changes that remove barriers. They do not involve lowering academic standards or alterations to a program. Some examples are:
- Extended time for exams
- Note-takers
- Accessible books
- Readers, interpreters and scribes
- Flexibility in attendance
What is the process for requesting accommodations?
The University of Puget Sound has designated Disability Services as the department that determines if a student qualifies for an accommodation.
- Obtain documentation from a qualified, licensed professional that includes a diagnosis, how the diagnosis was established, the functional impairments and a rationale for requested accommodations.
- Schedule an appointment to meet with Peggy Perno, Director of Disability Services, pperno@pugetsound.edu
- Accommodations are determined on a case by case basis and depend on documentation, student’s needs, requested accommodations, and what is reasonable under the law.
- Academic accommodations need to be formally requested each semester by meeting with DS staff, listing your classes and professors, receiving a signed accommodation form from a DS staff member and returning it to DS with each professor’s signature.
- The nature of the disability is confidential. Professors are informed of the accommodations not the diagnosis. Transcripts will not reflect Disability Services involvement.
What is the student’s role in the accommodation process?
- Meet academic and technical standards (attributes a student needs to qualify for a class or program)
- Request accommodations through Disability Services in a timely manner. Accommodations cannot be requested in retrospect
- Provide documentation that establishes a disability
- Fully participate in the accommodation process by following Disability Services procedures and communicating with professors
- Notify Disability Services if there is any problem with accommodations
If you wish to discuss possible support services and/or accommodations, please schedule an appointment with Peggy Perno, Director of Disability Services by calling 253.879.3395 or via disabilityservices@pugetsound.edu. Please bring any diagnostic information that is relevant.
Declaration of a disability is not automatically a request for accommodations.
Documentation
Documentation of a disability must:
- be prepared by a appropriate professional
- be current
- name the disability
- describe the procedures used to make the diagnosis
- include standardized test data if testing was performed
- indicate the severity and expected longevity
- describe functional limitations in an academic setting
Support Services That May Be Available to Students with Disabilities
Support services and accommodations are individually tailored depending upon a student's disability, its severity, and the student's academic environment-courses, housing situation, activities, etc. The following is a list of possibilities. Not every student qualifies for (or needs) every accommodation. Furthermore, other accommodations not listed here may be possible.
- Individual instruction in study strategies including goal setting and time management
- Taped textbooks and use of a four-track player
- Free tutoring in many subject areas
- Extended time on exams
- Testing in an alternative format or setting
- Assistance with note taking
- Assistance with the physical process of writing exams or papers
- Individual instruction in the use of adaptive computer equipment
- Assistance in developing, organizing, writing and editing assignments
- Coaching in self advocacy strategies
- Sign language interpreter service
- Flexible attendance policies
- Additional academic advising to maximize program and course selection
- Intervention with faculty or staff on a student's behalf as needed
Timelines
Support services and accommodations are implemented as quickly as possible, but students must allow adequate time for the process to begin. Generally speaking, it takes at least two weeks for a student to have an intake appointment and begin to use implemented services. Some services such as note taking and taped textbooks take even longer to initiate. Therefore, students are encouraged to complete an in-take interview before any services are needed. Later on if accommodations are needed and warranted, the process can be implemented much more quickly.
Students who take exams in Disability Services must provide the instructor and the Center at least 24 hours advance notice.
For final exams, one week's notice is required.
