Rehabilitation Act and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Other Accommodations
Accessibility & Accommodations
Disability Accommodations
United States University’s Accessibility Services will work to uphold the mission of the University by providing reasonable accommodations to all students with disabilities in order to help them achieve their academic goals. United States University complies and adheres to Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended. United States University’s policy and practice is to provide students with disabilities full and equal use of services, facilities, and privileges. United States University does not discriminate in its admission, recruitment, academics, research, financial aid, counseling, or employment assistance processes.
The Office of Accessibility can help if a student requires reasonable accommodation during his or her coursework because of a disability, religious observances, temporary conditions or pregnancy/postpartum status. Students seeking reasonable accommodation should follow the steps outlined below and submit such a request as soon as reasonably practicable. Notice or requests from students outside of the process outlined below and/or notice to other University officials outside of the Office of Accessibility including faculty, staff, and administrators is not accepted as notice for the purpose of approved accommodations.
The University has developed a list of essential functions (below) that a student should possess in order to successfully complete some programs. This list is provided to prospective students during the application process and to newly admitted students as part of the acceptance process. Each student must endorse that he or she has reviewed and understands the list of essential functions. To request reasonable accommodation, a student must complete the Disability Accommodation Request Form available through the Student Services tab on United States' website or delivered via email from accessibility@usuniversity.edu
Essential Functions
The nursing profession requires significant physical, mental, and behavioral skills. The essential functions listed describe what students must be able to do to meet the requirements of being a nurse to ensure protection of patient safety. The essential functions for the teacher education program is to provided to candidates to become informed of the stringent demands related to training and employment within their field of study. The essential functions define selected attributes and behaviors necessary for students to demonstrate in order to successfully complete their education and subsequently enter their profession. Individuals are required to navigate their assigned responsibilities independently with or without reasonable accommodations. To request a reasonable accommodation, contact accessibility@usuniversity.edu for assistance. Essential functions can be found on the USU website under Students/ Student Services/ Office of Accessibility linked here.
Request for Accommodations
Students must fill out the Disability Accommodations request form and send it back to the Office of Accessibility. Students are required to provide documentation that demonstrates credible assurance of a disability. The documentation should directly support the student’s request for accommodations. The documentation should include a summary of the student's functional limitations so the appropriate accommodations can be made. The documentation should be typed with the appropriate official signature and contact information for the associated facility for verification purposes (on official letterhead is preferred). Handwritten documentation must be clear and legible with the appropriate official signature and contact information for the associated facility. Documentation can be submitted to the Office of Accessibility by email to accessibility@usuniversity.edu
Please see the documentation standards document for further information on required documentation, click here.
The request form can be found on the USU website under Students/ Students Services/ Office of Accessibility linked here.
If the documentation provided does not meet the University's requirements, the student will receive notice and will be asked to provide alternative supporting documentation. All documentation provided is kept on file privately in the Accessibility Office for verification purposes. Students requesting additional accommodations after their initial approval, may be asked to provide additional documentation.
A student may request accommodations at any point in their program. Accommodations cannot be applied retroactively. For those assignments, we would encourage you to work with your instructor and follow the Late Work Policy found in the catalog.
Approved Accommodations
After reviewing the student’s Accommodation Request form and subsequent documentation, Accessibility Services staff will determine reasonable accommodations for the student. An approved accommodation letter will be sent to the student outlining the details and the length of the accommodation.
Faculty are to adhere to a student’s approved accommodations and are encouraged to seek clarification from the Office of Accessibility should there be a question or concern about providing the accommodation. Should a student request accommodation other than the approved accommodations, he or she should contact the Office of Accessibility via accessibility@usuniversity.edu Faculty members, advisors and/or program directors are unable to alter the approved accommodation.
Please note : Extended time on individual assignments: The extended time does not cover discussion questions, calendar days for exams, any group assignments or any assignment that has peer interaction. Additionally, all assignments must be submitted by the end of the term. Any extension past the end of the term no longer is an accommodation, but falls under the University's Incomplete Policy found in the Catalog.
Religious Accommodations
As part of this commitment, the University will make good faith efforts to provide reasonable religious accommodations to faculty, staff and students who’s sincerely held religious practices or beliefs conflict with a University policy, procedure, or other academic requirement, unless such an accommodation would create an undue hardship. Note, not all requests can be accommodated when tied to program required attendance.
Individuals may not be discriminated against because of their religious beliefs or practices, or because they lack religious beliefs or practices.
Students will need to fill out the Religious Accommodation request form and return to the Office of Accessibility.
The request form can be found on the USU website under Students/ Students Services/ Office of Accessibility linked here.
To request a religious accommodation, more information, or assistance, please contact accessibility@usuniversity.edu
Pregnancy and Postpartum Accommodations
United States University is committed to creating an accessible and inclusive environment for pregnant and parenting students. Students may request reasonable accommodation because of pregnancy, childbirth, or related conditions. Reasonable accommodations vary based on the student’s circumstances but may include academic accommodations, leave of absence or flexibility (such as breaks during class, rescheduling of tests, and alternatives to make up missed work). The Office of Accessibility will work with the student, financial aid, their student advisor and the Registrar to determine appropriate accommodations.
In addition, United States University supports students who choose to continue breastfeeding their children should they return to campus. United States University shall provide clean, private rooms that are easily accessible to students who are nursing. All designated lactation spaces shall be equipped with a table, chair, electrical outlet, window coverings (as needed), and lock from inside. Students planning to breastfeed should do so around their scheduled class times to the extent possible.
Students who wish to discuss or request reasonable accommodation based on pregnancy, childbirth, or related conditions should complete a Pregnancy Accommodation Request Form available through the Student Services tab or delivered via email from accessibility@usuniversity.edu
The request form can be found on the USU website under Students/ Students Services/ Office of Accessibility linked here.
Grievance Process
The 504 Regulatory Specialist is responsible for overseeing efforts to comply with these disability laws, including responding to grievances and conducting investigations of any allegation of noncompliance or discrimination based on disability.
If after engaging with the Regulatory Specialist, the student still believes that he or she has not received accommodations, is unsatisfied with accommodations provided by Accessibility Services, or believes to have been subjected to discrimination on the basis of disability, the student should contact the ADA/504 Compliance Officer by emailing efernandez@usuniversity.edu.
If after taking these two steps, the student believes there is no resolution, the student must then follow the grievance procedure outlined in the University Catalog.