Accessibility Services
The Office of Accessibility Services works with and advocates for students with disabilities,
ensuring equal access to educational opportunities and programs while promoting self-advocacy
and independence. Reasonable accommodations are offered to students with disabilities
who register with the Accessibility Office.
In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), McKendree University
provides services, auxiliary aids, and accommodations to meet the unique learning
needs of students with disabilities.
The Manager of Accessibility Services at McKendree is Carol Erickson. Her office is in the Student Success and Advising Center, located at Clark Hall,
Lower Level. The Success Center is open year-round, including summer months.
Students with disabilities who need services, auxiliary aids, or accommodations to
participate in McKendree University academic or co-curricular activities must contact
the Manager of Accessibility Services and self-report their disability and specific
needs. All documentation and consultation will be kept confidential.
Students with disabilities who need Residential Life accommodations to participate in McKendree University will also work with the Manager of Accessibility Services, Carol Erickson and self-report their disability and specific needs. All documentation and consultation will be kept confidential.
Click here to view a comparison between the services available at McKendree and those a student may experience in high school.
How do I register with the Accessibility Office for classroom accommodations?
1. Self-report your disability to Carol Erickson, Manager of Accessibility Services located
in the Student Success and Advising Center, Clark Hall, Lower Level.
To report a disability, the student must complete the Classroom Accommodation Form and submit documents that can be used to verify eligibility under Title II of the
ADA.
Documentation must include a diagnosis of the disorder from a medical provider, not
limited to: psychologist, school psychologist, psychiatrist, licensed clinician, medical
physician, audiologist, pathologist, neurologist, or other licensed medical provider.
Documentation must also include, but is not limited to: date of diagnosis, medical
history as it relates to the disability, medications, recommendations for accommodations
to adjust for disability, summary of standardized testing, and results. In most cases,
you will need a several documents.
2. The Manager of Accessibility Services will review all submitted documentation. If
additional documentation is needed to verify a disability, the Manager of Accessibility
Services will contact the student.
3. The Manager of Accessibility Services will then invite the student for a face-to-face
consultation. If the student is unable to consult face-to-face, a telephonic consultation
will be arranged.
During the consultation, the Manager of Accessibility Services will discuss with the
student the diagnosis; past use of services, auxiliary aids, or accommodations; advocacy;
and rules and regulations of the Accessibility Services offered by the University.
4. At the conclusion of the consultation an accommodation letter will be provided through
McKendree email to the student identifying the services, auxiliary aids, and/or accommodations
approved.
Based on the documentation and consultation with the student, and under the Americans
with Disabilities Act, reasonable accommodations will be provided unless they present
an undue hardship to the University.
5. A request for accommodations must be completed each academic year.
How do I register with the Accessibility Office for housing accommodations?
1. Self-report your disability to Carol Erickson, Manager of Accessibility Services located
in the Student Success and Advising Center, Clark Hall, Lower Level.
To report a disability, the student must complete the Housing Accommodation form and submit documents that can be used to verify eligibility under Title II of the
ADA.
Documentation must include a diagnosis of the disorder from a medical provider, not
limited to: psychologist, psychiatrist, licensed clinician, medical physician, audiologist,
pathologist, neurologist, or other licensed medical provider.
Documentation must also include, but is not limited to: date of diagnosis, medical
history as it relates to the disability, medications, recommendations for accommodations
to adjust for disability, summary of standardized testing, and results. In most cases,
you will need a several documents.
2. The Manager of Accessibility Services will review all submitted documentation and
present it to the Accessibility Committee's Monthly meetings. Please note that the
committee does not meet in January or August. If additional documentation is needed to verify a disability, the Manager of Accessibility
Services will contact the student.
3. The Accessibility Committee will conduct an official evaluation of materials.
4. At the conclusion of the evaluation/consultation an accommodation letter will be provided
through McKendree email to the student and Residence Life identifying the accommodations
approved or declined.
Based on the documentation and consultation with the student, and under the Americans
with Disabilities Act, and the Fair Housing Act, reasonable accommodations will be
provided unless they present an undue hardship to the University.
5. A request for accommodations must be completed each academic year.
How do I renew my classroom accommodations?
If you have already registered with the Student Success Center and do not need to
make any adjustments to your Accommodation Plan, you may simply renew your plan using
the Classroom Accommodation renewal form. Please note that you will have the exact plan from the previous academic year with
no changes or additions.
If you do need adjustments to your Accommodation Plan, please contact Carol Erickson,
Manager of Accessibility Services .
How do I request a renewal of my housing accommodations?
In order to renew housing accommodations, including emotional support animals, new
documentation must be received every year. To begin the process and receive the necessary
documentation for completion simply click the following link. Housing Accommodation renewal form.
Can I get short-term accommodations for an injury or other disabling condition?
If you have a temporary (transitional) disabling condition that results from injuries,
surgery, or short-term medical conditions that limits your abilities, you may request
services from the Success Center. Some examples of temporary disabling conditions
are broken limbs, a sprained arm or leg, or a head injury.
To receive assistance for a Temporary Disability:
1. Please complete the Temporary Accommodation Form
2. When you meet with the Manager of Accessibility Services, provide medical documentation
to verify your temporary condition, such as a medical note from your physician or
other medical caretaker or a discharge summary from an emergency room visit.
Do you provide accommodations for English Language Learners?
International students with disabilities are provided equal educational opportunities
under the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act as (ADAAA), which is the
law that defines disabilities and the general principles that guide accommodations. Under
the ADAAA, international students who have disabilities are entitled to general accommodations
in school, such as wheelchair access to school facilities, service and support animals
and personal devices (e.g., hearing aids) to help overcome a disability.
For testing accommodations, this is also true. There are many diagnoses for which
extended time may be approved or assistance such as a reader or scribe may be warranted.
However, language proficiency is not sufficient rationale for accommodations to be
extended through the Accessibility Services. ADAAA Accommodations are not to lower
expectations but to level the playing field for students with disabilities. If you
are an international student and have appropriate documentation justifying the need
for accommodation under the ADAAA, please proceed through the intake and accommodation
process.
