Academic Accommodations

Academic Accommodations for Students with Disabilities

Cumberland College is committed to ensuring that each student is afforded academic opportunities and a learning environment that is developed on the principles of equality, inclusion, and respect and as such facilitates disability-related accommodations and programming initiatives designed to remove barriers for students with disabilities and ongoing medical conditions. Within the resources available, the college will strive to provide academic accommodations that help students with a disability or ongoing medical condition overcome challenges that may affect their academic success.

Cumberland College determines a student’s eligibility for accommodation in accordance with the Learner Assistance Policy. Learner Assistance Policy 311 (PDF)

The types of conditions supported by academic accommodation include, but are not limited to:

• Diagnosed learning disabilities such as dyslexia, dysgraphia, auditory processing, language processing, visual or motor deficit, specific comprehension deficit
• Physical disabilities such as visual impairment, hearing loss, locomotor disabilities
• Chronic health conditions including ongoing medical conditions such as arthritis, chronic pain, Crohn’s disease, or migraines
• Mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety disorders, or bi-polar disorder
• Neurological disabilities such as attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, learning disabilities, head injuries, and autism spectrum disorder

Important Information

• You are not required to share information or documentation about your disability or on-going medical condition with your instructor or advisor; however, to receive accommodations, it is required to self-disclose. It is very important for your success in the program to let your advisor and instructor know as early as possible about any disability that may impact learning so accommodations may be made prior to program start. Whenever possible students should meet with their advisor 2-3 months prior to program start to discuss support options. Some accommodations may be eligible for coverage under the Grant for Services and Equipment for Students with Permanent Disabilities while others may be at the student’s cost or that of a sponsoring agency.

How to request Accommodation

• Students who are seeking academic accommodations due to a permanent disability or on-going medical condition should contact their advisor and complete the Student Request for Accommodation Form. Academic accommodations are not determined by your instructor. However, your instructor may consult with your advisor to initiate consideration for the accommodations if it is suspected that supports are essential to the learning outcomes of a course. Instructors making referrals for accommodations should complete the Request for Learner Assistance Form and submit to student advisor. Temporary injuries or conditions should be reported to both your instructor and advisor so an academic plan may be arranged to support continued access to learning.

Types of Accommodations

Academic accommodations are intended to provide students with a disability or on-going medical condition access to the learning. To receive accommodations students must consult with their advisor to complete the appropriate steps to determine eligibility. Accommodations may include a variety of options that are determined as part of the students learning plan:

• Alternate format materials such print materials, digital, audio, or electronic text
• Assistive technology such as specialize software or equipment to support learning such as Dragon Naturally Speaking, Zoom text
• Scribe/Notetaking to read content or to take notes during class or an exam
• Tutor support to support comprehension of materials and to support student success in areas of exam writing, study skills and organization of content
• Academic Considerations such extended exam time, paced learning, private exam writing,

Documentation Guidelines

If you are seeking accommodations, you are required to provide your advisor with the most recent documentation of your medical condition or disability. Any expenses related to obtaining documentation of the disability are the student’s responsibility unless eligible to apply for the Grant for Services and Equipment for Students with Permanent Disabilities.  Students can provide documentation from a certified and licensed medical doctor, psychologist or other health professional who has specific training and expertise in the diagnosis of the conditions for which the accommodations are requested.

Documents must meet the following requirements:

• It is legible, and submitted on letterhead
• Includes the practitioner's name, license number, title, phone, or fax, mailing and email addresses, and signature
• Indicates the length of time you have been under the practitioner's care
• Describes the nature of your medical condition/disability, along with a detailed explanation of the functional impact of the disability
• Provides sufficient detail so our staff can determine appropriate accommodations
• Describes the symptoms that formed the basis for the practitioner's diagnosis
• Includes relevant test results and supporting documentation if the practitioner is verifying an existing diagnosis
• Describes the timelines for rehabilitation and recovery if the diagnosis is of a temporary nature
• Identifies side effects of medications that may adversely affect academics
• Psycho-educational assessments must be within the last 5 years or when the student was 18 years of age or older

If you have questions, contact your advisor