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 a Request for Reasonable Accommodations 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 complete the Request for Reasonable Accommodations Form and submit it 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/Office of Accessibility Services 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 whose 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 required program 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 complete the Religious Accommodation form under Religious Observances and submit it to the Office of Accessibility.
The request form can be found on the USU website under Students/Office of Accessibility linked HERE.
To request a religious accommodation, more information, or assistance, please contact accessibility@usuniversity.edu.
Pregnancy, Postpartum, and Loss 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, loss, 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. Students planning to breastfeed should do so around their scheduled class times to the extent possible. Students should reach out to the Accessibility Office for campus nursing room information and access.
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/Office of Accessibility linked HERE.
Temporary Accommodation Requests
Temporary condition accommodations are designed to support students experiencing short-term medical or situational conditions that may impact their ability to fully participate in academic activities. These conditions may include injuries, acute illnesses, recovery from surgery, or other temporary impairments. Students seeking accommodations should submit appropriate documentation outlining the nature and expected duration of the condition. Approved accommodations are provided on a temporary basis and are intended to ensure equitable access while maintaining academic standards. Students are encouraged to communicate promptly with the Accessibility Office and their instructors to facilitate timely support and coordination. Please note: accommodations are not retroactive. Students are responsible for submitting accommodation requests and supporting documentation in a timely manner to ensure appropriate implementation.
The request form can be found on the USU website under Students/Office of Accessibility linked HERE.
Immersion Requests
Immersion accommodation requests must be submitted in a timely manner to allow for appropriate planning and support. Students are required to provide a minimum of four (4) weeks’ advance notice prior to the scheduled immersion experience, along with any necessary supporting documentation. Requests submitted with less than four weeks’ notice may not be accommodated. Failure to follow this timeline may result in an inability to provide an accommodation or an inability to participate in the immersion, which could lead to a failing grade in the course and a delay in program progression and/or course completion. Please note: Accommodations are not retroactive. Immersion Requests must be due to temporary, permanent, religious, pregnancy, or postpartum accommodations.
Clinical Requests
Clinical accommodation requests must be facilitated by the clinical site, as accommodations are determined and approved by the facility rather than the university. Students may independently identify a clinical site that can meet their accommodation needs or request assistance in locating an appropriate placement. While the university will make reasonable efforts to assist, placement within a specific timeline cannot be guaranteed, which may result in a delay in program progression or graduation. The university cannot require a clinical site to provide specific accommodations. This includes both clinical-related accommodations and requests related to travel distance or mileage. Placement efforts will continue until a suitable site able to meet the student’s documented needs is secured. All accommodation requests must be supported by appropriate documentation and submitted in a timely manner, in advance of the clinical course start date. Students are encouraged to request clinical requests as early in the program as possible, even as early as the first course, as these can take quite a bit of time to arrange. Please note: accommodations are not retroactive. Clinical Requests must be due to temporary, permanent, religious, pregnancy, or postpartum accommodations.
AI Usage Requests
Requests for accommodations related to the use of artificial intelligence (AI) must align with institutional policies governing academic integrity and technology use. The university cannot modify, waive, or make exceptions to the established AI policy. While students may seek support for documented needs, all accommodations must be implemented within the parameters of existing guidelines. Students are encouraged to review the institution’s AI policy and consult with the appropriate office to explore available support options that remain compliant with these standards.
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 Cecilia Howard by emailing cecilia.howard@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.