Frequently Asked Questions
I have a disability. Do I have to meet the same requirements for admissions as a student
who does not have a disability?
Yes. According to the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation
Act, colleges do not have to lower their admissions standards for students with disabilities.
Additionally, colleges do not have to lower their academic and technical standards.
What services does SASSI offer for persons with disabilities?
SASSI facilitates accommodations and services to students with disabilities, which
ensures equal access to university programs and activities. Every student is impacted
differently by their disability; therefore the services are individualized based on
how the disability impacts the student.
What qualifies as a disability?
A disability is defined in the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of
the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as a mental or physical impairment which substantially
limits one or more major life activities. “Substantially limits” is defined as being
unable to perform or significantly restricting a major life activity, in comparison
to the average person. A “major life activity” includes things such as caring for
oneself, performing manual tasks, walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing, learning,
and working. In 2009, the following major life activities were added to the ADA: reading,
communicating, bending, thinking, and concentrating. Also added were major bodily
functions such as functions of the immune system, normal cell growth, digestive, bowel,
bladder, neurological, brain, respiratory, circulatory, endocrine, and reproductive
functions.
What are accommodations and how do I receive them?
Accommodations are modifications or changes to limit the impact of a person’s disability.
In order to receive accommodations, the student must self-disclose their disability,
request accommodations and provide documentation of the disability and how it impacts
the student in the academic environment.
How can I receive accommodations?
In order to receive accommodations, students must self-disclose and register with
the Disability Coordinator in SASSI as a student who has a disability. Provisionary
forms must be completed and the students must submit appropriate documentation. For
more information on documentation please see the Documentation Guidelines.
Where do I send documentation of my disability?
Documentation should be provided to Laurie Brooks, the Disability Coordinator in SASSI.
The documentation may be faxed, mailed or dropped off in the SASSI office. SASSI is
located at 8 South Dunlap, General Education Building (GEB) Room BB9, Memphis, Tennessee,
38163. SASSI'’s fax number is 901-448-1451.
Will I automatically receive accommodations if I had them at a previous college/university?
No. The documentation that is presented to SASSI must adhere to UTHSC’s documentation
guidelines, which may differ from those at a previous institution.
If my doctor makes accommodation recommendations, will I receive those accommodations?
Not necessarily. While recommendations are considered when determining reasonable
accommodations, they are not mandatory. Your doctor makes these recommendations to
aid in the accommodation determination. Further, each recommendation made by the doctor
must have a rational and explanation on how that accommodation would be beneficial
in the learning environment. In the event no rationale is provided, the recommendation
may not be considered.
When I register for accommodations, who will have access to my documentation?
SASSI is committed to ensuring that all information regarding a student’s disability
is kept in accordance with state and federal laws. Disability related information,
including documentation, is to be treated as medical information. Disability documentation
is housed in a locked file in SASSI. Information is released with the student’s permission
(signature) on a need-to-know basis. The information never becomes part of a student’s
academic record.
Who is responsible for getting the documentation required to apply for services?
The student is responsible for getting the appropriate documentation to the Disability
Coordinator. SASSI may assist you in facilitating the process; however the student
must follow up with his/her provider. All related costs incurred are the student’s
responsibility.
Will my transcript indicate that I received accommodations?
No, your disability records are confidential and are not part of your academic record.
I have a learning disability (or ADHD), but have not been tested for it since I was
in elementary school, middle school, or high school. Will I need to be re-tested to
receive accommodations at UTHSC?
Yes. Disability documentation must include information assessing the student’s current
level of functioning. Additionally, per UTHSC’'s documentation guidelines, documentation
cannot be older than three years. It is the student’s responsibility to provide verification
of a disability to the Disability Coordinator and to pay for re-evaluations of the
disability.
I suspect that I have a learning disability (or ADHD), but I have not been tested
or diagnosed with one. Am I able to get accommodations?
Documentation must be provided to demonstrate the student’s level of functioning and
impairments related to the disability. It is the student’s responsibility to provide
verification of a disability to the Disability Coordinator and to pay for evaluations
of the disability. Information can be provided regarding local testing resources.
Does SASSI test for disabilities such as learning disabilities and ADHD?
No. We maintain a list of resources for this services that may be obtained in the
SASSI office.
I have a disability but I don't think I'll need any accommodations. Do I have to tell
SASSI about it anyway?
Self-disclosure of disability is not required. However, if the student experiences
any type of difficulty as a result of the disability (i.e. emergency medical appointments
which interfere with class attendance, medication changes that severely affect concentration,
etc.) it is recommended that the student have appropriate documentation on file with
the Disability Coordinator in the SASSI office. In those instances, SASSI staff would
then be able to advocate on the student’s behalf based on the disability documentation.
Who is responsible for telling my professors I need an accommodation?
You are. As outlined in the Student Handbook for Disability Services (pages 18 and 19), it is the student's responsibility to discuss the accommodation(s)
with the instructor during the first week of class or rotation and/or within one week
of being granted the accommodation.
My doctor says I should get unlimited time for taking examinations, but I was approved
for time and a half. Why?
A college or university has the responsibility under federal law for ensuring access
to programs and activates by students with disabilities. Often, SASSI and the independent
disability consultant are delegated the authority to make decisions on what is regarded
as reasonable adjustments to ensure equal access because of their knowledge, credentials
and experience with the technical standards of the different programs and colleges.
SASSI often uses medical or other professional documentation provided by the student
as a basis for making such decisions, but are not required to follow exactly the recommendations
made in the documentation provided. If you feel the decision is not fair or appropriate,
you may appeal the decision by going through the appeal process.