Services for Students with Special Needs

 

INDEX

 

I.                  Introduction

II.              Procedures for Acquiring Services

III.          How to Qualify for Services

Learning Disabilities

Visually Impaired

Hearing Impaired

Physically Impaired

Temporary Impairments

IV.           Services Offered

Extended Time for Test Taking

Notetaking Services

Parking

Post Office Box

Professor Notification

Residence Life

Taped Texts

Technological Equipment

Tutoring

V.      Important Contacts       

 

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I.          Introduction:

Union University is committed to the admission of all qualified students without regard to an applicant’s disability. We further commit ourselves to make reasonable accommodations and provide information in order to render the academic programs and support services of the university accessible to all persons.

 

II.        Procedure for Acquiring Services:

Before classes begin, students must make an appointment with the Director of Counseling for an interview to discuss eligibility and services offered. A contract between the student and the Director of Counseling will be established. The Director of Counseling is the principal contact for all university policies and procedures.

 

III.       How to Qualify:

A.         Eligibility for services for students with learning disabilities:

1.                    Students must have a current diagnosis (three years or less) or current verification of previous diagnosis. The diagnosis must include college specific academic recommendations.

2.                    The diagnosis must be made by (a) qualified professional(s) i.e., licensed school psychologist, licensed psychologist, learning disabilities/educational specialist.

3.                    Students must provide a diagnostic report and (if available) the most recent Individual Educational Plan (IEP). The Director of Counseling can administer testing for learning disabilities to currently enrolled students at a reduced cost of $200.00. This amount is charged to the student account.

4.                    The documentation submitted for eligibility purposes must be based upon a psychoeducational test battery. Both intelligence/ability testing and educational/

achievement testing are required.

 

B.                  Eligibility for students who are visually impaired:

Blindness or partial sight to the degree that it impedes the educational process and necessitates the need for accommodations and support services in the academic setting. Students with visual disabilities are those who, even with treatment and corrective lenses, have vision so restricted that it significantly affects their daily functioning. In order to receive services for a visual impairment, documentation of the following is required:

 

1.        Diagnosis of the degree of loss of vision, and

2.        Description of functional limitations.

 

 

 

C.         Eligibility for students who are hearing impaired:

Services are provided to students with hearing loss regardless of

severity. In order to receive services for a hearing impairment,

documentation of the following is required:

1.                    Diagnosis of the hearing loss and copy of a recent audiogram;

2.                    Description of functional limitations; and

3.                   Statement from an audiologist regarding the level of benefit of amplification.

 

D.        Eligibility for students who are physically impaired:

In order to receive services for a physical impairment, documentation of the following is required:

1.                    Physician’s recommendation for support services as it relates to the impairment.

2.                   Description of functional limitations

 

E.                 Eligibility for students who have temporary impairments:

Students with temporary impairments, for example depression or broken limbs, should contact the Director of Counseling for eligibility requirements and services available.

 

IV.       Services Offered:

 

Extended Time for Test Taking:

Extended time for test taking is available for students who qualify because of their disability (see section III). Students needing this service should contact the Director of Testing, (Cindy Shirley) at least two weeks but not less than two days before the exam. Professors may also contact the Director of Testing to help arrange extended time taking for tests for the students.

 

Notetaking Services:

Whenever possible, students must make their own arrangements utilizing volunteers from the class. Note takers are provided as needed for those students with disabilities. Note taking services are not designed to provide remediation. A student must have a documented need for a note taker in the classroom. When a student is eligible for external funding for note takers, for example, when Department of Vocational Rehabilitation funds the note taker, the office of Academic Services may coordinate the arrangements.

Students with disabilities are asked to identify their note taker to the instructor so that the instructor is aware of the student’s presence in the classroom.

 

Parking:

Handicap parking permits are free to qualified students through the Office of Safety & Security. In addition to the designated handicap parking spaces, all “10 minute parking” can also be used as “long term” handicap parking. Those students needing a handicap parking space outside the Residence Complexes may call their Residence Director.

 

Post Office Box:

The Post Office can provide a P.O Box at a specific height upon request.

 

Professor Notification:

The Registrar will contact the student’s professors at the beginning of each of the student’s semesters explaining the disability and special services required. This may include recommendation for extended time during tests. The service is continued each enrollment period unless terminated in writing by the student. Knowing the professor has been contacted by the registrar, it is the student’s responsibility to contact the professor to take advantage of accomodations.

               

Residence Life:

A limited number of rooms specifically designed for students with special needs are available in each Residence Complex. Students needing special rooms should contact the Director of Residence Life.

 

Taped Texts:

Students who have difficulty with printed material may receive their textbooks on tape or computer disks through Recordings for the Blind and Dyslexic (RFB&D) www.rfbd.org or 609-452-0606. Arrangements for such accommodations may also be made through LifeWay Christian Store. Arrangements for taped texts must be made several months in advance. Eligibility for this service is determined on an individualized basis. Students must be able to demonstrate a substantial visual or learning impairment which requires supplemental materials (such as taped texts).  Students must contact their professors before each semester in order to obtain the appropriate textbook information and place the order in a timely fashion.

 

Technological Equipment:

The Library has a four track tape recorder and a visual/Tek print magnifier available to students with special needs.

 

Tutoring:

Union University provides its students with trained tutoring support in The Learning Center. This free peer tutoring is dedicated to enabling learners to better understand a variety of subjects and learning approaches in content areas such areas as Accounting Biology Chemistry Christian Studies, Computer Science, English, German, Greek History, Mathematics, Music Theory, Nursing Physics, and Spanish. The Learning Center is located in the Student Union Building.

 

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Important Contacts
area codes: 731

 

 

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