ACADEMIC REGULATIONS

VIII. Service for Students with Disabilities

Students with disabilities, whether general disabilities or specific learning disabilities, may be eligible for reasonable curriculum accommodations and/or special services. However, students are responsible for communicating their special needs to the appropriate University personnel. The University is not responsible for making special accommodations for students who have not declared their disabilities and have not requested an accommodation. Also, the University need not modify course or degree requirements considered to be an essential requirement of the program of instruction. For the most current and up-to-date policy information, please refer to www.georgetown.edu/student-affairs/ldss/.

Students formally declare a disability by submitting pertinent written documentation from a recognized authority to the appropriate University office. All students needing accommodations for learning and/or general disabilities, should contact Learning Services/Disabled Student Services (1 Darnall Hall, Box 571105; (202) 687-8354).

The University reserves the right to request a second professional evaluation (at its expense) of the student’s disability. Based upon the materials submitted by the student and after review by the responsible University personnel, the University will determine the appropriate reasonable accommodation.

Students with a disability should meet with the school Deans’ Office to discuss course requirements and possible degree programs and forms of accommodation in the area of academics they might require. They may also wish to contact the University Librarian to outline their specific needs [(202) 687-7454].

Any requests related to scheduling and the possible relocation of classes should be discussed with the University Registrar [(202) 687-4020] at least one month before registration so that any necessary changes may be made. At registration a special desk is staffed to handle inquiries from students with disabilities.

The Main Campus has several publications designed to help disabled students: (1) a brochure of services for the disabled, (2) a special map of the campus with accessibility routes, (3) a booklet with pictures of accessibility routes, (4) tactile maps of the campus.

A paratransit vehicle is available on the Main Campus for students with mobility problems. Lauinger Library offers a number of audio-visual aids.

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 defines a learning disability as a “disorder in one or more of the basic psychological processes involved in understanding or in using language, spoken or written, which may manifest itself in an imperfect ability to listen, think, speak, write, spell or do mathematical calculations.”

In order to declare a learning disability students should follow these steps:

• Contact Learning Services [(202) 687-8354] to make an appointment. The Learning Services specialist will evaluate the student’s previous test results and determine whether additional testing is necessary to assess the student’s status accurately.
• Fill out and sign a release of information form provided by Learning Services, which will:
  (1) give Learning Services permission to forward to the appropriate Dean’s Office information regarding the student’s status; and
  (2) give the Dean’s Office permission to verify the disability with a faculty member and to recommend that the faculty member contact Learning Services for more detailed information regarding the nature of the disability and possible accommodation.

Student requests concerning accommodations, such as course substitutions, altering the format of competency exams, or time extensions for earning degrees should be made to the appropriate Dean’s Office after the student has completed the steps above.

Students who have concerns about accommodation decisions and/or treatment they have experienced should first discuss those concerns with a representative of the Academic Resource Center and the relevant academic or administrative office (i.e., Dean’s Office, University Facilities, Office of Student Affairs, etc.). Students who are not able to resolve their concerns through conversations with these parties may pursue a formal complaint through one of the following processes, depending upon the nature of the student’s concern.

Undergraduate Bulletin 2009-2010 Table of Contents
Copyright 2009, Georgetown University.