The Electronic University Consortium (EUC) and South Dakota's six public universities welcome all students to their programs who meet the academic admissions criteria. Assistance is available for individuals with disabilities covered by Section 504 and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). These FAQs are by no means comprehensive, but are intended to provide students who have special needs with some guidance.

Who is eligible for accommodations under Section 504 and ADA legislation?

What do I do if I have a disability and need some accommodation?

What do I do if I am refused reasonable accommodations by an instructor?

Who is eligible for accommodations under Section 504 and ADA legislation?

The law protects any person with a "physical or mental impairment" that "substantially limits one or more major life activities." This includes, but is not limited to, persons with mobility impairments, visual impairments, hearing impairments, learning disabilities, psychological disorders including mental retardation, plus emotional and mental illness.

The law allows universities to request medical documentation. Students are asked to provide medical documentation from a qualified professional, which defines the student's abilities and limitations and which includes recommended accommodations. It is also very helpful to provide records of any previous accommodations (e.g. IEP from high school).

We strongly urge students claiming protection under ADA to identify themselves to the disabilities services provider at their home university and to their instructors upon registration or as soon as possible after a diagnosis has been made. In some instances (e.g. clinical depression, learning disabilities), the problem may not be identified until a student has reached a crisis. In those instances, we cannot provide accommodations retroactively, but we do strongly urge faculty to take the disability into consideration in weighing a student's requests.


What do I do if I have a disability and need some accommodation?

Your first step is to contact the disabilities services provider at your home university. He/she will visit with you and discuss the records and documentation needed. If your disability has not been diagnosed, he/she will refer you to an outside agency for assessment at your own expense. The universities are not required to provide assessment of medical, neurological or psychological disabilities. Documentation must be provided by a qualified physician, psychologist, psychiatrist, rehabilitation specialist, or other appropriate health care provider.

Once the documentation is provided, the disabilities services provider will, with the student's permission, contact the individual instructors and provide the recommendations for appropriate accommodations. We ask students to be responsible for initiating and continuing conversations with their professors about their particular needs. Faculty are invited to contact their disabilities services provider for assistance or further information or recommendations.


What do I do if I'm refused reasonable accommodations by an instructor?

The accommodations requested must be consistent with the documentation provided. In some instances, problems with appropriate accommodations can be resolved by a three-way conversation between the student, the faculty member and the disabilities services provider. Sometimes, it is a matter of finding some assistance to enable the faculty member to provide the accommodation (e.g. tape recorders or proctors); the office of disabilities services at your home institution may be able to help with this situation.

Federal statutes prohibit discrimination "on the basis of disability in the admission or access to, or treatment or employment in, its programs or activities." Individuals who feel they have been discriminated against within the university on the basis of disability should follow the grievance procedure outlined in your home university’s student handbook. Copies may be obtained from your disabilities services provider.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact your home university.