Kentucky Wesleyan College is committed to equal opportunity and challenge for all academically qualified students and does not discriminate on the basis of disability. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 are significant federal mandates that require colleges and universities to provide reasonable and appropriate accommodations for qualified students with documented disabilities. Support services and accommodations are designed to provide students with disabilities full access to the college’s educational opportunities.
All students seeking academic assistance from the Office of Accessibility must disclose the presence of their disability to the Disability Services Coordinator and follow these procedures:
Process for Requesting Accommodations
- Students interested in applying for academic accommodations should contact the 504 Coordinator, ideally via email or phone:
- Disability Services Coordinator
Kentucky Wesleyan College
3000 Frederica Street
Greenwell Library
Owensboro, KY 42301
270-852-3254
lori.thurman@kwc.edu
- Disability Services Coordinator
- The Disability Services Coordinator will schedule an intake appointment with the student in person, via zoom, or in some cases via phone.
- At this meeting, the students’ eligibility for accommodations and anticipated needs will be discussed based on the nature of their disability and any barriers it presents to their education. Policies and procedures regarding accommodations such as letters for faculty, assistive technologies, note-taking services, etc. will also be discussed at this appointment.
- Please note that self-elected/sports-related surgeries on limbs (shoulders, knees, feet, etc.) are typically covered through KWC’s ADA compliance and are not approved for academic accommodations through the Disability Services Office, but students may still contact the Disability Services Coordinator to determine if an exception can be made.
- In most cases, students will be asked to complete an Accommodation Application Form, which the Disability Services Coordinator will email to the student following this meeting. Most of the form will need to be completed by a licensed professional (therapist, psychiatrist, behavioral health professional, etc.). In some cases, students may be asked to provide additional documentation such as their high school IEP or a letter from their doctor. All documentation provided will be kept on file in a secure location with the Disability Services Office for ten years.
- Once the Coordinator for Disability Services has reviewed all necessary documentation, including information gathered at the intake appointment, the student will be emailed a draft of their accommodation letter to approve. The timeline for application review may vary.
- Once the student has approved the letter, they will be asked to provide names of their faculty members/coaches that they would like the letter sent to. The Coordinator for Disability Services will then email the letter, blind-copied, to the requested individuals within 24 hours.
- Note that accommodations are not retroactive; they take effect upon successful receipt of the letter.
- Accommodations are good for one semester. Students seeking to renew accommodations from a previous semester must alert the Disability Services Coordinator.
- Specific accommodations such as note-taking services or assistive technology, digital textbooks, etc. may take more time to arrange beyond the date accommodations go into effect. Contacting the Disability Services Coordinator at least two weeks prior to the start of the semester is strongly encouraged.
Specific Responsibilities of Students, Faculty, and the Office of Disability Services
Responsibility of Student:
- Students with disabilities are responsible for ensuring that Kentucky Wesleyan College is aware of disabilities that require accommodation in the educational process.
- Students with disabilities are responsible for requesting accommodations by identifying themselves with the Disability Services Coordinator, presenting appropriate documentation of disability, and requesting accommodation letters for faculty outlining specific accommodation needs.
- Students with disabilities are responsible for requesting accommodations in a timely manner.
- Students with disabilities are responsible for meeting the requirements of each class.
- Students with disabilities are responsible for notifying the Disability Services Coordinator if any problems occur when receiving approved accommodations.
- Students with disabilities with a testing accommodation are responsible for contacting the testing coordinator one week prior to their test.
Responsibility of Faculty:
- Faculty must include the following statement in their course syllabus each semester: “Kentucky Wesleyan College is committed to providing access to programs and services for qualified students with disabilities. If you are a student with a disability and require accommodation to participate and complete requirements for this class, notify the Disability Services Coordinator immediately (lori.thurman@kwc.edu or visit Greenwell Library or leave a message at 270-852-3254) for verification of eligibility and determination of specific accommodations.”
- Faculty are responsible for reading and understanding the accommodation letter emailed by the Disability Services Coordinator and replying with any questions.
- Faculty are responsible for providing approved accommodations for eligible students. The Office of Disability Services is available for consultation about appropriate levels of accommodation and available support resources.
- Faculty must consult freely with the Office of Disability Services as questions and concerns arise regarding approved accommodations for each student.
Responsibility of the Disability Services Office (DSO):
- DSO is responsible for general coordination of accommodations for students with disabilities.
- DSO is responsible for receipt and review of documentation of disability.
- DSO is NOT responsible for providing any diagnostic services relating to disabilities, but may refer to students to sources of assessment, such as local medical or behavioral health clinics, the office of vocational rehabilitation, or the KWC counselor.
- DSO is responsible for determining eligibility for specific accommodations.
- DSO is responsible for the preparation of accommodation letters and emailing letters to the faculty/staff indicated by the student
- DSO is responsible for discussing accommodation needs with students, faculty and others as appropriate to identify appropriate accommodations on a case-by-case basis.
- DSO is responsible for assisting faculty with any classroom accommodation needs and provision of appropriate auxiliary aids.
For more information, contact:
Disability Services Coordinator
Kentucky Wesleyan College
3000 Frederica Street
Greenwell Library
Owensboro, KY 42301
270-852-3254
lori.thurman@kwc.edu