Skip to Main content
Apply
Home / Current Students/Student Disability Services/Student Disability Services Policy Statement

Student Disability Services Policy Statement

This is derived from University Operating Policy 10.24.

Policy

Angelo State University is committed to the principle that no qualified individual with a disability shall, on the basis of disability, be excluded from participation in or be denied the benefits of the services, programs or activities of the university, or be subjected to discrimination by the university, as provided by the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act of 2008 (ADAAA) and subsequent legislation.

All students at Angelo State University must have the capacity and ambition to undertake, with reasonable accommodation from the faculty and administration, the academic challenges necessary to fulfill the academic requirements for the degrees or certification programs they are pursuing.

Definition

An “individual with a disability” is defined as a person who:

“Major life activities” include:

The following bodily functions are also covered as major life activities:

“Reasonable accommodations” means those modifications which address the particular disability and which do not fundamentally alter the nature of the goods, services, facilities, privileges, advantages or accommodations being provided; or which do not fundamentally alter the academic objectives and requirements of an individual course or the requirements for a degree. Learning outcomes of academic courses will not be changed or altered in any way.

Procedures

The Office of the Dean of Students is the designated campus department charged with the responsibility of reviewing and authorizing requests for reasonable accommodations based on a disability.

It is the student’s responsibility to initiate such a request by contacting the Office of the Dean of Students, Room 112 of the Houston Harte University Center, at 325-942-2047 (phone) or 325-942-2211 (fax) or by email at ada@angelo.edu to begin the process. The Office of the Dean of Students will establish the particular documentation requirements necessary.

Faculty members will include in each course syllabus a statement directing students to the Office of the Dean of Students to initiate a request for accommodation. Faculty members are not authorized to provide accommodation for a student’s disability needs without approval from the Office of the Dean of Students.

Requests for reasonable academic accommodations will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis, taking into account the essential elements of the academic course and/or the degree being sought. To the extent practical, the Office of the Dean of Students, working in collaboration with the appropriate academic and/or administrative departments, will authorize reasonable accommodations to assist qualified individuals with disabilities to have full and equal access to the programs and services of the university, and a full and equal opportunity to meet the academic requirements of their courses and/or their degree requirements, consistent with published academic requirements and the applicable provisions of federal and state legislation.

Requests for reasonable accommodations for non-academic settings will also be reviewed and handled by the Office of the Dean of Students in coordination with other campus departments.

Confidentiality

It is the policy of the Office of the Dean of Students to hold confidential all communications, observations and information made by and/or between students, faculty and staff.

Disability records and documentation are educational records and protected under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). Information may be released to faculty and/or staff on a “need to know” basis if there is a compelling and legitimate educational reason for the disclosure.

Reasonable Accommodations at University-Sponsored Events

The university will provide reasonable accommodations for all university-sponsored activities, on or off campus, provided that adequate notice has been given as to the need for accommodations. The cost of providing a reasonable accommodation is the responsibility of the sponsoring department.

Reasonable Accommodations at Non-University-Sponsored Events

Reasonable accommodations at events held on university property by non-university organizations or individuals will be the responsibility of the sponsoring organization or individual.

Grievances

Students who feel that they have been the subject of discrimination based on a disability should file a report with the Office of the Dean of Students.

Decisions made by the Office of the Dean of Students concerning complaints or decisions regarding the reasonableness or appropriateness of accommodations may be appealed to the vice president for student affairs or the individual acting in that capacity.

Service/Assistance Animals on Campus

View the section on Service Animals, Service Animals in Training, and Assistance Animals in this operating policy and procedure.