This section has been designed to provide GTU students, (MA, PhD, or Certificate) with information about academic disabilities and access to any forms needed. For further information, please contact the Senior Director for Student Success at daucutt@gtu.edu
Procedures for Student Accommodations at the Graduate Theological Union
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) stipulates that postsecondary institutions are responsible for providing necessary accommodations when a student discloses a disability accompanied by appropriate validation. At the Graduate Theological Union (GTU), the Disabilities Resource Officer (DRO) is tasked with determining what reasonable accommodations can be offered to facilitate a student's access to instruction and participation in the graduate academic experience.
GTU strives for consistent and equitable student access to educational and program opportunities that address the ability to fulfill degree, course, and program requirements in the following areas: GTU library, student advising, classroom activities and requirements, program exams, and capstone experiences, such as theses and dissertations. However, this intent does not address extracurricular events sponsored by GTU member institutions.
Accommodations are tools and procedures that provide equal access to our campus and/or instruction for students with disabilities. Accommodations are provided to “level the playing field,” and they allow students with disabilities to access course instruction while participating fully in the academic experience.
Accommodations are not intended to give students an unfair advantage, but to remove barriers that prevent students with disabilities from learning and demonstrating what they know in the context of their formal degree or certificate program. Reliance on accommodations should never replace appropriate and rigorous instruction in the content area. In order to make effective accommodations decisions, the DRO at GTU gathers and reviews disability-related information about the student, and conducts a preliminary interview.
The Process
This section has been designed to provide GTU students (MA, PhD, and Certificate) with the information and resources to understand and initiate a process for identifying and requesting accommodations based on ADA criteria.
Student Request: Students are responsible for fully participating in the process and exercising due diligence to ensure that the provision of reasonable accommodations is accomplished. The student who wishes to request accommodations must submit a “Request for accommodations form” to the GTU DRO (the form is available below, on this page). Students must also fill out the “Permission to Release Documentation” form and are required to include official written documentation from a professional who has the credentials and expertise to diagnose the student’s condition The student is responsible for incurring any cost associated with the documentation. After the required documentation has been submitted the DRO will contact the student for a preliminary interview.
The Timing of a Student Request: The student should request accommodations before the start of the semester, well in advance of when the accommodation is needed. The student needs to factor in the amount of time required to secure written documentation from an appropriate professional. It can take time for the coordination of the case review process and the concluding recommendations. Students eligible for accommodations will have their request reviewed with a decision rendered no more than three weeks after submitting the request.
Decision: The DRO will offer reasonable accommodation in the context of institutional resources and program design. An accommodation is not “reasonable” if it will necessitate modifications of the essential nature of a program or activity or would place undue financial or administrative burdens on the institution.
The DRO conveys the official decision and, if appropriate, recommended accommodations to the student by email, who then uses written confirmation to work with appropriate staff and faculty on the implementation of accommodations. The student needs to fill out the “Permission for Faculty Notification form” and submit it to the DRO. The DRO will send communication to the faculty listed on the form the student provides. This list needs to be provided each semester accommodations are needed.
Implementation: Accommodations will apply to all educational events described in the DRO’s email for up to three years. Students should use the DRO’s email to work with faculty and staff to communicate accommodations as needed.
Accommodation Dispute: If a student believes that the accommodations process was not handled in alignment with GTU’s policies and procedures, then the student can dispute the process. The student should provide a written statement to the Associate Dean describing in detail the reasons why the process of determining accommodations was not handled per GTU’s policies and procedures. The Associate Dean will make a determination in writing regarding the dispute and inform the student of the decision.
Downloadable Forms:
- Request for Accommodations form
- Permission for Faculty Notification form
- Permission to Release Documentation form
Accommodations are generally grouped into the following categories:
Presentation accommodations: present instruction or assessment in an alternate format. Some examples include ASL, captioning, assistive technology devices, Braille, large print, or a reader.
Response accommodations: allow students to complete assignments or exams in different ways (e.g., use of reference aids, clicker, use of computer, etc.).
Timing/Scheduling accommodations: increase the allowable length of time to complete a test or assignment and may also change the way the time is organized (e.g., extended time, frequent breaks).
Setting accommodations: change the location in which a test or assignment is given or the conditions of the assessment setting (e.g., private exam room, distraction-reduced).
Campus accommodations: providing an alternative (such as door access or location of classroom) to attending classes on a physical campus.