Jackson State University recognizes and accepts its obligations under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the ADA Amendments Act of 2008, which prohibit discrimination on the basis of disability and require the University to provide reasonable accommodations to otherwise qualified disabled students in all University programs and activities.
To arrange for reasonable accommodation(s) for your disability, you must follow and complete the Jackson State University self-disclosure process at least six weeks in advance of your course start date. You must (i) self-disclose any disability; (ii) provide necessary documentation of the disability; and (iii) submit your request for accommodations to disability services (DS). A student may be eligible for accommodations only after completing the process to request accommodations.
PROCESS FOR ACCOMMODATION
STEP ONE. SELF-DISCLOSURE:
Self-disclosure and requesting accommodation are the first steps in advising us of your disability and assuring that accommodations will be made while pursuing your academic endeavors. Submitting a signed Student Self- Disclosure Statement form begins the process.
STEP TWO. DOCUMENTATION:
We require documentation from a certified diagnosing professional that accurately reflects your current condition(s). The Student Release of Information form allows the diagnosing professional to send DS documentation supporting your disability. Please consult with DS regarding any questions about documentation.
STEP THREE. ACCOMMODATION NEGOTIATION:
The University is committed to providing equal access to educational programs for all otherwise qualified students in an effort to promote the ability to achieve required program outcomes. Once acceptable documentation of the disability has been received, DS will review the documentation, any recommended accommodation(s) from the diagnosing professional, and your requested accommodation(s).
You and DS will discuss options for your reasonable accommodation(s). Your agreed upon accommodations will be documented in your Student Accommodation Agreement. Please note that different accommodations may require different amounts of time to arrange, ranging from an hour or less to five or six weeks, depending on the accommodation(s).
STEP FOUR. COMMUNICATION:
The student is responsible for notifying faculty member(s) for your course(s) and will ensure the accommodation(s) are provided. If there is a change in your course schedule or faculty member, you must notify the DS immediately to ensure proper communication of the accommodations.
If you withdraw from the University and return at a later date, you must notify the DS upon your return in order to re-activate the agreed upon accommodations. You may be required to self-disclose and document your disability upon re-entry.
STEP FIVE. COMPLAINTS/GRIEVANCES:
If an issue arises regarding: (i) your accommodation(s); (ii) delivery of your accommodations in a course; (iii) the classroom environment, as related to your disability or accommodations; or (iv) other challenges or difficulties related to your disability, consult with the DS immediately and/or complete an Initiation of Formal ADA Grievance form. Those students who wish to file a formal ADA grievance must complete the Initiation of Formal ADA Grievance form within six (6) weeks after the alleged action occurred or the grade in the particular course from which this incident arose has been issued, whichever comes last and provide any supporting information to DS.
The six week limitations period may be extended if the student provides documentation of appropriate extenuating circumstances.
STEP SIX. PROBLEM RESOLUTION:
If you are unable to resolve an issue or feel uncomfortable addressing these issues with your DS, you may contact a member of the Disability Services Office at monica.w.jones@jsums.edu.
Upon receipt of your communication, we can help you address the issue, and, if necessary, instruct you how to initiate a formal grievance. University policy and federal law mandate that a student shall not be retaliated against for filing or participating in a complaint brought against Jackson State University alleging non-compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 or Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Information regarding your disability and resulting accommodation(s) is confidential and released strictly on a need to know basis to those providing your accommodation(s).