Disability Services for Online Students

We’re focused on developing graduates who are prepared to make a difference. And that means you. We’re here to support your academic, social, personal, and spiritual development—and we’re willing to go the extra mile for your success.

Supporting Every Student

We provide reasonable accommodations for known disabilities—whether it’s visual, hearing, mobility, medical, or learning. You may also qualify for disabilities not listed here. To determine eligibility and seek support services, please take the following steps:

• Read and complete the disability services disclosure and accommodations request form and identify yourself to your assigned AGS Academic Advisor.
• Submit current documentation (not older than three years) of your disability.
• Be willing to participate in additional evaluations to confirm the disability, if requested.
• Submit a letter of clear reasonable recommendations for accommodations from a professional care provider (not older than three years).
• Request in writing the specific reasonable accommodations needed to enable your academic access.

A member of the AGS Academic Advising Team, in conjunction with other appropriate personnel, will assess your documentation and determine if any of the requested accommodations are reasonable. The AGS Academic Advisor serves as a liaison between you and faculty/staff who will work with you to develop and implement a plan for academic accessibility.

Disclosure and Request for Reasonable Accommodation(s)

I. Policy of Nondiscrimination

A. It is the policy of Montreat College not to discriminate against qualified individuals with disabilities and to provide reasonable accommodation(s), as required by law, to otherwise qualified applicants for admission of students with disabilities in all education programs, activities, services and practices, including application procedures, admissions, student assignment, course assignment, the awarding of degrees, discipline, and dismissal. Educational opportunities will not be denied to an otherwise qualified applicant or student because of the need to make reasonable accommodation(s) or modification(s) for the physical or mental impairments of any such individual.

B. Although this policy and procedure is largely described in terms of accommodation(s) that may allow an applicant or student with a disability to meet the academic standards requisite to admission or participation in education programs, activities and services, the policy is also applicable to accommodation(s) involving the application process and to accommodation(s) that would enable an applicant or student with a disability to enjoy equal benefits and privileges of education as are enjoyed by other similarly situated applicants or students without disabilities.

C. The procedures contained herein are not exclusive of other education-related inquiries that the college, in its discretion, may make as permitted or required by local, state or federal law and in conformance with The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.

II. Definitions of “Disability,” “Qualified Individual With a Disability” and “Otherwise Qualified”

A. A “disability” with respect to an applicant or student is:

1. A physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more of the major life activities of such individual,
2. A record of such an impairment, or
3. Being regarded as having such an impairment.

Individuals with disabilities may include persons who are mobility impaired, sensory impaired, speech impaired, cosmetically disfigured, mentally ill, mentally retarded, emotionally troubled, or learning disabled. Individuals with disabilities may also include persons who are neurologically, psychologically, physiologically or otherwise impaired, or who have suffered an anatomical loss.

“Major life activities” include caring for self, performing manual tasks, walking, sitting, standing, lifting, reaching, seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing, learning, and working.

B. A “qualified individual with a disability” means:

1. With respect to educational opportunities, a disabled person who meets the academic and technical standards requisite to admission or participation in an education program or activity.
2. With respect to other services, a disabled person who meets the essential eligibility requirements for the receipt of such services.

C. An applicant or student with a disability is “otherwise qualified” if he or she is qualified to receive educational opportunities, in that he or she satisfies all of the academic and technical standards, essential eligibility requirements, and other applicable education-related selection criteria, except that because of the disability, he or she needs reasonable accommodation(s) or modification(s) to be able to meet and perform the requirements for the educational opportunities or services in question.

III. Scope of Potential Reasonable Accommodation(s)

A. When requested by an otherwise qualified applicant or student with a disability to do so, or when the need becomes known to the college, Montreat College is prepared to modify or adjust the admissions process or the educational environment to make “reasonable accommodation(s)” to the known physical or mental limitations of an applicant or student to enable participation in desired programs, activities, or services. Reasonable accommodations, however, may not be made as set forth in Paragraph III.D.

B. Reasonable accommodation(s) and modifications may include:

• Making existing academic facilities readily accessible and usable by individuals with disabilities.
• Altering when or how academic or technical requirements are met or performed.
• Adjusting or modifying admission and performance tests, educational materials, or policies.
• Modifying nonessential course requirements.
• Extending degree or course completion periods.
• Substituting specific courses.
• Allowing readmission upon review.
• Providing counseling services, readers, interpreters, or tutors.
• Adapting instruction or testing methods.
• Modifying scheduling requirements or substituting instructors.
• Allowing students to provide equipment the college is not required to supply.

C. Each accommodation request will be evaluated case-by-case, considering factors such as the essential academic and technical standards, purpose of the program, functional limitations of the student, cost, and impact on college resources and mission.

D. The college is not required to provide accommodations that would:

• Substantially modify educational standards or mission,
• Fundamentally alter the nature of a program or service,
• Pose an undue hardship,
• Fail to overcome the disability’s effects, or
• Pose a direct threat of substantial harm to self or others.

IV. Request for Reasonable Accommodation

A. Applicants or students must submit the Disabilities Disclosure and Accommodation Request Form to the enrollment advisor, indicating the nature of the disability and associated limitations.

B. Through this form, students must identify potential accommodations, methods, or aids that could assist them and note any equipment or services they are willing to provide.

C. Secretarial or other assistance will be provided to prepare such statements if needed.

D. When a known disability causes academic difficulty, the assistant dean of academic and student services (or designee) may inquire about accommodation needs.

V. Response to Applicants and Students Who Request Reasonable Accommodation

A. The college may not inquire about disabilities pre-admission, but may do so confidentially post-admission as permitted by law.

B. Students requesting accommodations may be required to provide medical documentation verifying the disability and need for accommodation.

C. Documentation must be provided within three (3) weeks (21 days) of request receipt, unless extended for good cause.

D. The college may require additional testing by medical professionals retained by the college at the college’s expense.

E. The assistant dean of academic and student services (or designee) will determine whether the college considers the student disabled within three (3) weeks of receiving all documentation and will communicate the decision in writing.

VI. Providing Reasonable Accommodation

A. If a student is determined to be non-disabled, no accommodation will be offered. If determined disabled, the college will assess the nature of accommodations needed to meet academic or technical requirements.

B. Determinations will be made by the associate dean of AGS and assistant dean of academic and student services (or designee) in consultation with relevant personnel.

C. Academic and technical standards are defined by bona fide requirements necessary to complete programs consistent with the college’s mission. Determination of essential requirements will be made objectively by deans and department heads.

D. Accommodations that substantially modify the educational standards or mission of the college, or impose undue hardship, will not be provided. Students may be given the option to fund costly accommodations themselves.

E. No accommodation will be made that fails to reduce a significant direct threat to health or safety.

F. The college will complete evaluations and decisions regarding accommodations within three (3) weeks of the disability determination.

VII. Applicants or Students Who Reject Reasonable Accommodation

If a qualified applicant or student rejects an offered reasonable accommodation necessary for program participation, that individual will not be considered qualified, and admission or continued enrollment may be denied or modified.

VIII. Miscellaneous Provisions

A. Reasonable accommodation does not negate requirements for successful course completion, adherence to conduct standards, or compliance with faculty instructions.

B. If academic or technical standards are revised, this policy’s conditions and procedures apply to any evaluation or accommodation determination.

C. Complaints about this policy’s application should be directed to the associate dean of AGS.

Form

To learn more or apply, please complete the disability services disclosure and accommodations request form.