Accommodations and Services for Students with Disabilities
Accommodations and support services are reasonable adjustments to the classroom and campus that provide students with equal access to education at Winthrop University.
Accommodations and support services are individualized and determined via an interactive process, involving the student, any history of disability, impairment, condition, or accommodation, and evidence of a positive connection between the requested accommodation and the limitations of any major life activity.
Students with a disability(s). As defined by the ADA, a disability is a mental or physical impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities.
| Policy Number: | 3.8.1.1 |
| Effective Date: | 10/01/2016 |
| Date Reviewed: | 08/01/2024 |
| Last Review Date: | 08/01/2024 |
| Responsible Official: | Office of Accessibility |
| Responsible Office: | Office of Accessibility |
| Contact Information: |
McFeat House 803/323-3290 803/3234585 (Fax) accessibility@winthrop.edu |
1.0 Specific meanings of bold terms seen throughout this policy can be found within the University's policy definition glossary by following the link below.
Accommodations are reasonable adjustments to the classroom and campus that provide students with equal access to education at Winthrop. Accommodations are determined via an interactive process, case-by-case, involving the student, any history of accommodations, evidence of a positive connection between the requested accommodation and the limitations of any major life activity, as well as appropriate documentation. Reasonable accommodations determined via this process may include, but are not limited to: Assistive technology, accessible classrooms, accessible residence halls, Braille and large print, note-takers and/or recording devices, priority registration, sign-language interpreters, testing accommodations, captioned media, electronic textbooks, emotional support animals, etc.
1. Students self-identify with the Office of Accessibility (OA) by completing the OA Accommodations Request Form and uploading documentation that verifies details of their disability to AIM, OA’s student accommodation management software.
2. Once OA receives the application and documentation, students are typically sent an invitation to schedule an Intake/Welcome Appointment via their Winthrop email address. Alternatively, additional documentation may be requested by OA before a Welcome Appointment is scheduled if the information on file is not adequate.
3. The interactive process between students and OA continues during a Welcome Appointment to determine any appropriate and reasonable accommodations. Follow-up appointments are scheduled as needed.
4. Following all necessary appointments, students seeking academic accommodations are provided with a Letter of Accommodation (LOA) they can distribute to their instructors via AIM. Accommodation information that is unrelated to academics (e.g. housing, financial aid, etc.) is sent directly to the appropriate department or office via email.
5. Students and/or faculty can contact OA regarding any accommodation questions or concerns, as soon as possible.
6. If a concern cannot be resolved, the Chair or direct supervisor of the faculty member will be consulted to help facilitate a resolution. The Academic Dean and the Dean of Students may be consulted.
7. OA assists with the provision of accommodations, as needed.
8. Students are responsible for sending their LOA to their instructors each semester as a first step in utilizing their accommodations.
9. Students uphold personal responsibility associated with engagement of accommodations; such as relevant communication.
Equity of access and independence are the primary goals of accommodations for students with disabilities. Students should be aware that while accommodations are intended to remove barriers to learning, they do not ensure success.
Winthrop Office of Accessibility:
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