Admissions Procedure
Students who would like to receive accommodations for a disability must self-identify and register with the Office of Disability Services. Federal law prohibits admissions personnel from asking a student whether or not he/she has a disability. However, it is in the best interest of the student to self disclose his/her disability to the Office of Disability Services in the beginning of the admissions process. Early identification will allow the student and the ODS to work together to evaluate the need for and availability of appropriate accommodations.

A student must be otherwise qualified in order to be admitted into the university and into a specific major. That is, the student must be able –with accommodations – to compensate for his/her disability in order to meet the requisite academic standards of the institution.

If students do not self-identify as disabled until after registration, some accommodations may not be immediately available. The sooner a student self-discloses, the more quickly appropriate services can be arranged.

Process for Requesting Accommodations/Registering with the ODS
Students requesting services/accommodations must register with the Office of Disability services (ODS). The process for requesting accommodations is as follows:

1. Students must self-identify with the Office of Disability Services.
2. Students are required to submit the Disability Verification form and required documentation to the ODS. Refer to the Policy & Procedure Manual. Documentation can be submitted in person, by fax, mail or email.
3. The ODS will verify or deny accommodations based on the documentation submitted by the student. Students are notified via their Saint Leo email account as to the decision made regarding accommodations.
4. Students approved to receive accommodations must then schedule to meet with the Assistant Director of Disability Services.
5. Students are required to read and sign the Rights and Responsibilities Form.
6. A letter of accommodation will be sent to the student’s faculty.
7. Students must discuss their accommodations with their faculty member and arrange for implementation of their accommodations.

Documentation can be submitted for review at any time during the year; however, requests for accommodations must be made no later than two weeks from the end of the semester/term. Requests submitted after this deadline will be considered for the following term.

General Guidelines for Documentation
The Office of Disability Services provides reasonable accommodations for students with documented disabilities. Students must provide sufficient documentation of a disability before services or accommodations can be provided. Documentation must contain a diagnosis of the specific disability and a rationale for requested accommodations. Testing must be current – within three years for most disabilities.

Student with a physical, visual, speech or medical disability:

• Documentation should include a copy of medical reports and/or a letter from a physician stating specific diagnosis, prognosis, medications, if applicable, and the educational implications for the student. Please see appendices in the Policy & Procedure Manual for appropriate protocols.

Student with a hearing loss:

• Documentation must include an audiogram showing the extent of the loss and the educational impact to the student. Please see appendices in the Policy & Procedure Manual for appropriate protocols.

Student who has a mental impairment (emotional/psychological disorder):

• Documentation should include a statement from a licensed mental health practitioner and a statement of medication from the prescribing psychiatrist. The report should include summaries of the following:
• 1. Diagnostic interview
  2. Assessment of mental status including test results
  3. SDM IV Diagnosis
• Please see appendices in the Policy & Procedure Manual for appropriate protocols.

Student with a learning disability or an Attention Deficit Disorder:

• Documentation must be provided by a professional experienced in diagnosing learning disabilities, preferably a licensed psychologist who will provide a psycho-educational evaluation. Please see appendices in the Policy & Procedure Manual for appropriate protocols.

The university does not provide psycho-educational evaluations. The cost of psycho-educational testing is the responsibility of the student.

Differences between high school and college
U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, Students with Disabilities Preparing for Postsecondary Education: Know Your Rights and Responsibilities