Special Accommodations
The University of Louisiana at Monroe strives to serve students with special needs
through compliance with Sections 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans
with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) and the ADA Amendments Act of 2008. These laws
mandate postsecondary institutions provide equal access to programs and services for
students with disabilities without creating changes to the essential elements of the
curriculum. While students with special needs are expected to meet our institution's
academic standards, they are given the opportunity to fulfill learner outcomes in
alternative ways. Examples of accommodations may include, but are not limited to,
testing accommodations (tests read aloud, extended time), sign-language interpreters,
permission to record lectures, and note-taking assistance.
The Self-Development, Counseling, and Special Accommodations Center acts as the point
of entry for individuals who have documented learning disabilities, psychological
disorders, or medical conditions, including vision loss or blindness, deafness, mobility
impairments, and chronic health issues. The student must 1) complete and submit a
Special Need Request 鈥� Intake Form, 2) complete and submit a Release of Information
Form for Academics or Residential Life 3) submit disability documentation that substantiates
the requested accommodations. Accommodation decisions are made on an individual basis
and are determined according to the documentation provided by the student. The Special
Accommodations Coordinator works with the student to evaluate the effects of the student鈥檚
disability in relation to the curriculum and academic standards and/or, if applicable,
their residence hall setting. During this process, faculty and other campus representatives
may be consulted.
Academic accommodation letters will be emailed to the student鈥檚 Warhawk email address.
The student is then responsible for providing the letter to their professor(s). Students
seeking academic accommodations for future semesters must complete a new Release of
Information Form in order to obtain an updated accommodation letter pertinent to the
specific semester they are enrolled. Recommended residence hall accommodations will
be forwarded to the Director of Residential Housing. The documentation and accommodation
letters are retained in the student鈥檚 file with the Self-Development, Counseling,
and Special Accommodations Center.
Kimberly Storm, Special Accommodations Coordinator, Email: storm@ulm.edu
Contact: (318) 342-5220 Web site: /counselingcenter/special.html
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Special Accommodations Student Handbook .docx
Documentation Guidelines
Student Responsibilities听.docx
Testing Accommodations and Procedures
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Online Forms听
Special Needs Request - Intake Form
Release of Information Form - Academics
Release of Information Form - Residential Life
Elevator Access Request Form
Voter Declaration Form
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Elevator Access and Mobility Impaired Parking
Students with special needs who require the use of an elevator can have their identification
(CWID) cards activated by the Self-Development, Counseling, and Special Accommodations
Center. The student鈥檚 activated CWID will allow them access to elevators in the academic
buildings. In order to receive this service, students will be required to present
documentation validating their disability, whether permanent or temporary.
The University Police Department assigns parking privileges to students seeking mobility
impaired parking. Students requiring this service may refer to their website for details
on the application process.
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Emotional Support Animal Protocol
It is recognized that emotional support animals can provide valuable support to students
with properly documented disabilities. Since the animal is not a service animal as
defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, the University needs to review documentation
to determine if the request for this accommodation is a reasonable and appropriate
accommodation under the Fair Housing Act.
A requesting individual should provide the Special Accommodations Coordinator appropriate
documentation by July 1 for the Fall semester and November 1 for the Spring semester.
Download the Process for Requesting an Emotional Support Animal听.docx
Download the ESA Medical Document Request Form听.docx
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Grievance and Appeal Procedures
Any student who disagrees with the academic or housing accommodation(s) that have
been determined should first speak to the Director of the Self-Development, Counseling,
and Special Accommodations Center. The student should express his/her concerns and
be prepared to offer alternative solutions. If, after consulting with the Director,
there still is not satisfaction on the part of the student regarding the proposed
accommodation(s) or the provision of the accommodation(s), the student should speak
with the Vice President for Student Affairs. If the student still is not satisfied
with the proposed or provided accommodation(s), the student may file a formal grievance
with the Chair of the Council on Students with Special Needs. The Director will assist
with this process. The Chair, with assistance of the Disability Determination Subcommittee
of the Council, will evaluate the eligibility of the student to receive the requested
accommodations. Upon validation of the student's request, the Chair will notify the
Director in writing of the decision.
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Self-Development, Counseling, and Special Accommodations Center