Student SUCCESS and ACCESSIBILITY

From self-management to time management and organizational skills, to academic advising and coaching, Jewell’s Student Success Center helps you meet your professional goals.

The Center offers free tutoring to all currently enrolled Jewell students. Two types of tutoring are available:

• Peer Tutoring – Peer tutors are current Jewell students who are endorsed by their faculty members and recognized for their subject knowledge. Peer tutors are trained to provide an optimal tutoring experience.
• Online Tutoring – Jewell tutoring partner offers more assistance in more than 300 subjects, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

The accommodation application below should be used by students, faculty, and staff for all accommodation requests, including academic/learning, housing, dining and workplace accommodations. The applicant must complete both portions of the application, including the online form (step one) and the documentation requirement (step two). Any applicants needing assistance with completing the form or accessing any related materials should contact 816-415-5946 or accessibilityservices@william.jewell.edu.

• Accommodation Form (Step One)

What are my Rights and Responsibilities?

Section 504 of the 1973 Rehabilitation Act, and the American Disabilities Act Amendments Act of 2008 continue to be the primary sources of direction and guidance to William Jewell College as it provides services to individuals with disabilities. As such, both the college and individuals have rights and responsibilities.

Individual Rights and Responsibilities

Every qualified individual with a disability has the right to:

1. Equal access to educational and co-curricular programs, services, activities, and facilities available at William Jewell College.
2. An interactive and evaluative application process in considering any reasonable and appropriate accommodations, academic adjustments, services, and/or auxiliary aids.
3. Assistance from the Office of Accessibility Services in removing physical, academic, and/or attitudinal barriers that may exist within the campus community.
4. Appropriate confidentiality regarding disability information which will only be released when permitted or required by law.

Every qualified individual with a disability has the responsibility to:

1. Meet the qualifications of William Jewell College including essential, technical, academic, and institutional standards.
2. Identify as an individual with a disability and request accommodations in a timely manner.
3. Provide documentation, completed ideally within the last 18 months, from an appropriate professional source verifying the nature of the disability, functional limitations, and the rationale for specific accommodations being recommended.
4. Follow the specific procedures for obtaining reasonable and appropriate accommodations, academic adjustments, services, and/or auxiliary aids as outlined in the Statement of Accommodation.
5. Develop self-advocacy skills and motivation leading to self-reliance and independence. This includes assuming responsibility for attending any meetings related to the accommodation process, responding to requests for additional information, and requesting any additional supplemental services such as assistance from the Student Success Center. Report any issues or problems with any accommodations to the Accessibility Services Office by email at accessibilityservices@william.jewell.edu.

Institutional Rights and Responsibilities

William Jewell College has the right to:

1. Maintain high academic standards.
2. Request qualifying disability documentation in order to verify eligibility for disability accommodations, academic adjustments, services, and/or auxiliary aids.
3. Consider appropriate and effective accommodations, adjustments, services, and/or auxiliary aids in consultation with the individual.
4. Deny requests for accommodations, academic adjustments, and/or auxiliary aids when documentation does not identify a specific disability, fails to verify the need for the requested services, or is not provided in a timely manner.
5. Deny requests for accommodations, adjustments, and/or auxiliary aids that are inappropriate or unreasonable based on disability documentation, including any that:
6. Pose a direct threat to the health and safety of others;
7. Constitute a substantial change or alteration of an essential course element/program standard, or
8. Pose undue financial or administrative burden on the college.

William Jewell College has the responsibility to:

1. Provide information in accessible formats, upon request, to students with disabilities.
2. Ensure that courses, programs, services, activities, and facilities, when viewed in their entirety, are available and usable in the most appropriate settings.
3. Evaluate individuals on their abilities rather than their disabilities.
4. Provide or arrange, for individuals with documented disabilities, reasonable accommodations, academic adjustments, and/or auxiliary aids and services in courses, programs, activities, and facilities. Consider similar or alternative reasonable accommodations, adjustments, aids, or services, if it is determined that a specific accommodation request would result in the alteration of an essential course element/program standard, pose an undue financial burden on the college, or be a direct threat to the safety of others.
5. Document the interactive process that takes place to determine any alternative accommodation considerations and/or denials of accommodations based on direct threat, substantial alteration of an essential course element or program standard, or undue financial or administrative burden. Maintain appropriate confidentiality of records and communication, disclosing information only when permitted or required by law.

Submit a Request For Accommodations

Effective: 6/25/15
Updated: 8/1/25
Contact: Accessibility Services

William Jewell College pursues a non-discrimination policy with regards to all education programs and employment. William Jewell is committed to the full inclusion of students, faculty, and staff in the life of the Jewell Community in accordance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act (including the ADA Amendments Act of 2008) and the Fair Housing Act.

Any student or employee may request an accommodation by completing the accommodation application and participating in an interactive process to determine what, if any, accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.  The accommodation application can be found at www.jewell.edu/accessibilityservices.

Individuals experiencing any difficulties with obtaining and/or using accommodations should contact the Accessibility Services Office at accessibilityservices@william.jewell.edu. Staff will work with all involved parties through an informal process to address the issue and bring a satisfactory resolution to it.

If an individual is not satisfied with the informal resolution, or if the concern persists, they may file a formal grievance with the ADA/504 Coordinator in Human Resources. The formal grievance should be submitted in writing no later than 60 days following the date of initial complaint. The grievance should include the individual’s name, the nature of the complaint, a description of any previous actions or resolutions regarding the complaint, and the action or resolution that the individual is seeking. The grievance should be emailed to HR@william.jewell.edu or delivered in-person to the Human Resources Office on the main floor of Curry Hall. The ADA/504 Coordinator will make every effort to resolve the grievance in a timely manner by working in consultation with the appropriate member of the President’s Cabinet (according to the organizational chart) and all involved parties. The resolution will be provided in writing to the individual no longer than 15 business days following the receipt of the written grievance.

This grievance procedure is in place to resolve complaints specifically related to disability accommodations. Individuals who have other disability related complaints, for example  regarding harassment or adverse treatment on the basis of disability, are directed to the  College’s Anti-harassment Policy and Grievance Procedures found here: Anti-harassment Policy and Grievance Procedures.

Individuals are encouraged to attempt to resolve grievances through the College processes described above; however, they also have the right to file a complaint at any time with the U.S. Department of Education Office of Civil Rights.

Do you need to request alternative textbooks? Where are the accessible computers on campus? What are the accessibility features on my iPad? Please use the following resources to answer common questions about accessible technology: Request for Alternative Text.

Supporting documentation from an appropriate licensed medical and/or educational professional is required in order to substantiate an individual’s request for an accommodation. This individual must have the necessary qualifications to accurately and properly diagnose the disability. The information required to support the accommodation request may vary depending on the nature of the disability. This information should be dated within the past 18 months, though there may be times when the College can accept older documentation based on an individual’s specific circumstances.

The report should be printed on professional letterhead and may not be written by an immediate family member of the individual. The report should be sent to the Office of Accessibility Services via a HIPAA compliant electronic platform, such as Zendto, or mailed directly to William Jewell College, Attn: Office of Accessibility Services, 500 College Hill, Liberty, MO 64068.

Diagnostic Report

The report should contain the following information:

• DSM-5 diagnosis
• Procedures used to diagnose the disability (include a list of all instruments used in the assessment)
• Diagnostic interview addressing relevant historical information, past academic achievement, age of initial diagnosis, discussion of medication, history and effectiveness of accommodations in past educational settings.
• Discussion of testing results and behavior, including the symptoms that meet the diagnostic criteria. If the student was evaluated while on medication, please indicate the effect this may have had on performance.
• Diagnostic summary statement that includes the following information:
  • Clear and direct statement that ADHD does or does not exist, including a rule out of alternative explanations for behaviors.
  • Clear statement specifying the substantial limitations to one or more major life activities and the degree of severity.
  • Recommendation regarding medications
  • Recommendations for accommodations, including rationale for the accommodations.

Further assessment and/or documentation by an appropriate professional may be required if there are co-existing disabilities indicated. If learning, attentional, or physical disorders are involved, please refer to the documentation guidelines for those specific disabilities.

Submit a Request For Accommodations

Documentation Guidelines for Allergy and/or Asthma Related Disabilities

Supporting documentation from an appropriate licensed medical professional is required in order to substantiate an individual’s request for an accommodation. This individual must have the necessary qualifications to accurately and properly diagnose the disability. The information required to support the accommodation request may vary depending on the nature of the disability. This information should be dated within the past 18 months, though there may be times when the College can accept older documentation based on an individual’s specific circumstances.

The report should be printed on professional letterhead and may not be written by an immediate family member of the individual. The report should be sent to the Office of Accessibility Services via a HIPAA compliant electronic platform, such as Zendto, or mailed directly to William Jewell College, Attn: Office of Accessibility Services, 500 College Hill, Liberty, MO 64068.

Diagnostic Report

A comprehensive report should contain the following information:

• Diagnosis
• Date of initial identification
• Date of current evaluation and status of condition
• Identified triggers/allergens, including diagnostic testing
• Current treatment and restrictions
• Impairments resulting from the diagnosis
• Functional limitations, especially for school-related functions
  Recommendations for accommodations, including rationale
• If medication is prescribed
  • Prescribed regimen, including emergency management in the care of anaphylaxis
  • Impact on school functioning, including attendance
    Expected duration of treatment
  • Known side effects related to school functioning, if any
• If applying for a housing and/or dining accommodation, please include all functional limitations directly related to residential living and/or the meal plan. Recommended accommodations and a rationale for each must also be included.
• The College reserves the right to request additional medical documentation, when necessary, to fully evaluate any safety or health risks associated with requests for accommodation or exemption from the residential housing and/or dining policy.
• General comments from the evaluator are welcomed and appreciated.
• Individuals with apparent physical disabilities may not be subject to the same medical documentation requirements. Please contact the Accessibility Services Office for more information.

Submit a Request For Accommodations

Documentation Guidelines for Neurodevelopmental and ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) Disabilities

The Office of Accessibility Services will accept diagnoses of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) that are based on appropriate diagnostic evaluations. The evaluation must be conducted by a trained and qualified professional (i.e., psychiatrist, psychologist, neuropsychologist or other certified and/or licensed mental health or medical professional or student clinician being supervised by a qualified professional).

Currency of Documentation: The provision of all reasonable accommodations, adjustments, and auxiliary services are based upon assessment of the current impact and limitations of the disorder on the student’s academic performance and/or residential status. Therefore, it is in the student’s best interest to provide recent and appropriate documentation relevant to the student’s learning environment and/or living situation. The documentation, in general, must be no more than 3 years old and more recent documentation may be required in some cases.

The report should be printed on professional letterhead and may not be written by an immediate family member of the individual. The report should be sent to the Office of Accessibility Services via a HIPAA compliant electronic platform, such as Zendto, or mailed directly to William Jewell College, Attn: Office of Accessibility Services, 500 College Hill, Liberty, MO 64068.

Diagnostic Report

A comprehensive report should contain the following information:

• A clear statement of the disability, including the diagnosis (DSM-5) and description of severity.
• A summary of current symptoms.
• Date of diagnosis
• A summary of historical information, diagnostic interview, and assessment procedures/evaluation instruments used to make the diagnosis (if applicable). A summary of evaluation results, including standardized or percentile scores should also be included.
• Statement of current impact and limitations of the disorder on the student’s academic performance and/or residential status.
• Recommendations for accommodations to compensate for the disorder. Each recommended accommodation must include a rationale.
• The name, title, and professional credentials of the evaluator.

Further assessment and/or documentation by an appropriate professional may be required if there are co-existing disabilities indicated. If learning, attentional, or physical disorders are involved, please refer to the documentation guidelines for those specific disabilities.

Submit a Request For Accommodations

English Language Learner Accommodations Policy

Effective: 3/9/22
Updated: 11/7/22
Contact: Accessibility Services

William Jewell College promotes a diverse and equitable learning environment for all students, including those whose primary language is not English. The College acknowledges that mastery of the English language for an ELL (English Language Learner) or ESL (English as a Second Language) student is a challenging lifetime pursuit. The College also acknowledges that matriculation into a rigorous post-secondary academic environment may create additional challenges related to the speed of language synthesis, especially during timed exams. In order to support ELL and ESL students in their pursuit of a post-secondary degree, the College recognizes the need for a process that allows them to request additional time to complete exams and quizzes, as they adjust to a new learning environment.

Requests for additional time to complete exams will be considered on a case-by-case basis for students who are able to provide documentation of their ELL or ESL status, demonstrate the need for this accommodation and are pursuing a primary bachelor’s degree in their first, second or third semester at Jewell. To make this request, the student must fill out the Testing Accommodation for ESL/ELL Learners form. Upon receipt of the form, the Director of Accessibility Services will email the student within 7 business days, provide instructions on submitting the supporting documentation and will request to meet with the student to review the student’s request. If approved, the student will be provided with 25% additional time to complete exams and quizzes. A statement of accommodation will be emailed to the student, the advisor and instructors. Accommodations are not retroactive and all decisions regarding eligibility to use this accommodation are at the discretion of the Accessibility Services office and are final.

This accommodation is not considered a disability accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act in accordance with Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and ADA Amendments Act of 2008, and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504, as amended). Any student, including those qualified under the Accommodations for English Language Learners policy, may self-disclose a disability and request accommodations through an interactive process. This application is found at www.jewell.edu/accessibility-services.

Submit a Request For ELL Accommodations

Emotional Support Animal Policy for Residential Living

Effective: 8/19/15; Reviewed: 10/13/21
Updated: 11/7/22
Contact: Accessibility Services

The Fair Housing Act

The Fair Housing Act regulation provides that emotional support animals be considered a reasonable accommodation in residential buildings, for those students who qualify for such an accommodation. This regulation applies to residential housing only; emotional support animals are not allowed in other areas on campus.

Definition of Emotional Support Animal

An emotional support animal (ESA) is a companion animal that provides therapeutic benefit, such as alleviating or mitigating some symptoms of a person’s disability. This policy does not address service animals, which are addressed and covered under separate regulations by the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act of 2008 (ADAAA). This policy does not apply to pets, which are animals kept for ordinary use and companionship unrelated to a disability. Pets are only allowed on the William Jewell College campus as directed by the pet policy, which can be found in the Policy Library.

Resident Responsibilities

For the purpose of this policy, “Resident” refers to a student who has been approved for an ESA accommodation. The resident responsibilities outlined below are intended to insure a safe and healthy environment for the ESA, the resident, and the Jewell community at large.

The Director of Residence Life, in collaboration with the Office of Accessibility Services, reserves the right to permanently remove any ESA at any time as a result of the violation or subsequent violations of this policy, and to contact the emergency contact provided or proper authorities to have the ESA removed from campus. Resident Directors, at their discretion, may temporarily remove an ESA, pending further investigation, if they feel the ESA is in immediate danger or is a threat to others in the immediate area.

• Residents, who are approved for an ESA as an accommodation, must comply with all state and local animal ordinances and are subject to all policies and guidelines regarding Residence Life as outlined in the Student Handbook. (Please see Owning Animals in Liberty below)
• Residents must comply with any ordinances that require licenses, registration, collars, I.D. tags, etc. All dogs and cats must wear current vaccinations and identification tags at all times.
• The ESA is not to be left alone for any extended period of time (generally more than 6 hours) in the resident’s room. The ESA must be kept in an appropriate and well-suited containment unit or cage in the room of the resident while the resident is away. In the event that an ESA is left alone in a room for an extended period of time and is not being properly cared for, someone from Residence Life or the Office of Accessibility Services will contact the resident or the emergency contact to remove the ESA. Roommates are not caregivers and cannot be responsible for taking care of the ESA. If a resident anticipates an extended absence from their room, they must make advanced arrangements for the ESA to be cared for off-campus and should notify the Office of Accessibility Services of those plans at least 24 hours in advance.
• Residents are responsible for cleaning up all animal waste, both indoors and outdoors in a timely and effective fashion. Caged animals are to be kept in an appropriately sized containment unit/cage with flooring and liners to allow for proper disposal of waste and to prevent damages to floors and surfaces.
• All ESAs must be under the control of their owners at all times, including traveling to and from the residence. All ESAs must either be secured in an appropriate animal containment unit/cage or be on a leash when traveling to and from the resident’s room, and in common areas within the residence. The resident must be in control of the ESA at all times in common areas of the residence. ESAs are not allowed in common residential areas without the resident.
• ESAs must be generally well-behaved, which includes no barking, whining, scratching, chewing, or aggressive behavior. ESAs shall not disturb, annoy, or otherwise cause a nuisance to other members of the Jewell community. Residents are responsible for any odors, damage, noise, or any other misconduct of the ESA. Residents will be financially responsible for any assessed damages and required cleaning due to non-compliance with this policy. (Please see Being Responsible for Damage Caused by the Animal below)
  Resident will provide to the Office of Accessibility Services, proof of any registered license (City of Liberty) and veterinarian recommended vaccinations, including the absence of communicable diseases such as fleas and parasites, annually or as needed thereafter.
• ESAs must not prevent other residents from equal enjoyment of the residential living facilities.
• ESAs should be appropriately groomed on a regular basis to prevent excessive odors, shedding, and damage to furnishings.
• Residents are subject to available room/building/roommate configurations that will promote and support a healthy living arrangement with their ESA. This may include, but is not limited to, assigned housing without preference and single room occupancy. If a compliant concerning allergies, health concerns, phobias, or other legitimate concern is made by a roommate, suitemate, or other adjacent party, either the resident or complainant may be relocated to another room, floor, or residential building.
• In response to a particular situation, William Jewell reserves the right to impose other reasonable conditions or restrictions on the use of an ESA, if necessary to ensure the health, safety and reasonable enjoyment of others. Animals that are considered a direct threat to the safety of the campus community are prohibited on campus.
• Please remember that ESAs are not allowed in any campus buildings, and are only allowed inside the residential building in which the resident resides. ESAs are not approved to accompany the student to extra-curricular activities on-campus, the dining hall, or other official activities off-campus, such as team and academic related traveling.

Owning Animals in Liberty, MO (taken from the City of Liberty, MO website)

• Dangerous animals: Animals, which are a physical threat to humans or other animals, or are wild by nature, are prohibited under the code. An animal owner must follow special provisions once an animal has bitten an individual or another animal.
• Dog license: Licenses are available at the Liberty Animal Shelter, all local veterinarians and at City Hall. Rabies certificate must be provided to obtain City license. Licenses are $5 for sterilized dogs and $10 for unsterilized dog. The license tags must be displayed on the dog’s collar at all times.
• Female dogs: All female dogs in heat are required to be confined within a building, in a way that they will not be accessible to other dogs except for planned breeding.
• Local laws: The City Code states that animals should be properly cared for. Animals of any species must be under restraint at all times, and dog owners cannot allow their dogs to become a public nuisance by barking or howling.
• Number of animals: There are limitations to the number of animals that 1 can own. No owner shall own, keep or harbor more than a total combination of 4 dogs and/or cats over the age of 4 months.
• Rabies Vaccination: All dogs over the age of 4 months must be vaccinated against rabies and licensed with the City.

Being Responsible for Damage Caused by the Animal

Owners are personally responsible for any damage caused by their ESAs and must take appropriate precautions to prevent property damage. The owner will be required to pay for any damages caused by the ESA.

An individual with an ESA covered by this policy in a residence hall has an obligation to make sure that their residence is as clean and damage-free as the original standard, excepting normal wear and tear. When the individual moves out of residential housing or no longer owns the ESA, the residence will be assessed to determine if damage to College property or extraordinary cleaning costs are attributable to the ESA. If so, the owner will be financially responsible for associated costs. The College maintains the right to conduct facility inspections for the purpose of assessing damage caused by the ESA or otherwise determining the owner’s compliance with this policy.

William Jewell College will accept no responsibility for the care of any ESA. The resident must provide all care and incur all costs associated with the maintenance and care of the ESA, as well as any additional cost associated with damages or cleaning of the residence.

Submit a Request For Accommodations

William Jewell College complies with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) of 1974, as amended. FERPA affords students certain rights with respect to their educational records. These rights include the following: 

• The right to inspect and review, within a reasonable time after the College receives a written request for access, the student’s educational records that are maintained by the College. Students should contact the College office that is responsible for the record(s) they wish to inspect. 
• The right to request the amendment of the student’s educational records that are believed to be inaccurate, misleading or inappropriate. A student who wishes to ask for the amendment of a record should write to the official responsible for the record, clearly identify the part of the record that the student wants changed and explain why it should be changed. If the College decides not to amend the record as requested, the College will notify the student in writing and advise the student of the right to a hearing on the matter. The student also has the right to place with the educational record a statement commenting on the information in question. 
• The right to provide written consent before the College discloses personally identifiable information from the student’s educational records. One example of an allowed exception to this right is the disclosure of records to authorized individuals associated with the College who have legitimate educational interests. (People have a legitimate educational interest if the information will be used in conjunction with the fulfillment of their official responsibilities for the College.) Records may also be disclosed, without prior consent, to entities or individuals designated by a state or federal agency to conduct audits or evaluations of the College in connection with legal requirements. 
• The right to be notified annually of the rights granted under FERPA. 
• The right to file a complaint with the Student Privacy Policy Office of the United States Department of Education concerning alleged failures by the College to comply with the requirements of FERPA. 

It is the College’s policy to require that all students provide specific consent before confidential information is disclosed to anyone (including to parents and/or legal guardians) besides school officials, except as required by law. Examples of confidential information are academic records (grades, transcripts, etc.), current class schedules, and disciplinary records. However, federal law permits us to release disciplinary records to parents when a student who is under 21 has been found in violation of federal, state, local or College laws or rules related to the use of alcohol or a controlled substance. A student may choose to allow disclosure of specified educational records to named individuals with a FERPA Waiver Form that can be completed online. 

FERPA permits disclosure and verification of directory information, without prior notification of the student, unless the student has submitted a request to the Office of the Registrar for this information to be kept confidential. Examples of directory information are name; Jewell ID number; local and permanent addresses; telephone listings; email addresses; likeness (e.g., photographs) to be used in College publications; country of citizenship; major and minor fields of study; enrollment status and classification; dates of attendance; participation in officially recognized activities and sports; weight and height of members of athletic teams; degrees, honors, and awards received; and educational institutions attended before Jewell. When a student has submitted to the Office of the Registrar a request for privacy (nondisclosure of directory information), the College assumes no subsequent responsibility for contacting the student to obtain permission to release information in response to a request. Students may not opt-out of disclosure of their name or institutional email address to other students in their classes. 

Any student who has been “in attendance” at William Jewell College has rights under FERPA. Thus, a student’s rights under FERPA at the College begin on the first day of the first term in which the student is enrolled in any course at William Jewell. 

Documentation Guidelines for Specific Learning Disabilities

The Accessibility Services Office will accept diagnoses of specific learning disabilities that are based on current, age-appropriate, psychoeducational evaluations. The assessment must be administered by a trained and qualified (i.e., certified and/or licensed) professional (e.g., psychologist, school psychologist, neuropsychologist, educational diagnostician, or student clinician being supervised by a qualified professional) who has had direct experience with adolescents and adults with learning disabilities.The report should be dated within the past 18 months, though there may be times when the College can accept older documentation based on an individual’s specific circumstances. It should be printed on professional letterhead and may not be written by an immediate family member of the individual.

The report should be sent to the Office of Accessibility Services via a HIPAA compliant electronic platform, such as Zendto, or mailed directly to William Jewell College, Attn: Office of Accessibility Services, 500 College Hill, Liberty, MO 64068.

The evaluation must include comprehensive measures in each of the following areas:

• Aptitude (the evaluation must contain a complete intellectual assessment, with all subtests and standard scores reported)
• Academic achievement (the evaluation must contain a comprehensive achievement battery with all subtests and standard scores reported). The test battery should include current levels of functioning in the relevant areas, such as reading (decoding and comprehension), mathematics, and oral and written expression.
• Information processing (the evaluation should assess specific information processing areas such as short-and long-term memory, sequential memory, auditory and visual perception/processing, processing speed, executive function and motor ability)

Diagnostic Report

A comprehensive report should contain the following information:

• Diagnostic interview that addresses relevant historical information, past and current academic achievement, instructional foundation, past performance in areas of difficulty, and age of initial diagnosis.
• List of all instruments used in the test battery
• Discussion of the test behavior and specific test results of the three areas noted above.
• Diagnostic summary statement with the following information:
  • Clear and direct statement that a learning disability does or does not exist including, a rule out of alternative explanations for the learning problems.
  • Clear statement specifying the substantial limitations to one or more major life activities
  • Recommendations for accommodations, including rationale

Submit a Request For Accommodations

Documentation Guidelines for Medical/Physical Disability

The Office of Accessibility Services will accept current diagnoses of medical/physical disabilities that are based on appropriate diagnostic evaluations administered by trained and qualified (i.e., certified and/or licensed) professionals (e.g., medical doctors, ophthalmologists, psychologists, neuropsychologists). The report should be printed on professional letterhead and may not be written by an immediate family member of the individual. The report should be sent to the Office of Accessibility Services via a HIPAA compliant electronic platform, such as Zendto, or mailed directly to William Jewell College, Attn: Office of Accessibility Services, 500 College Hill, Liberty, MO 64068.

Diagnostic Report

A comprehensive report should contain the following information:

• Diagnosis
• Date of initial identification
• Date of current evaluation
• Current treatment and restrictions with expected duration of each
• Prognosis or expected future status6.Impairments resulting from the diagnosis
• Functional limitations, especially for school-related functions
• Recommendations for accommodations, including rationale
• If medication is prescribed:
  • Impact on school functioning, including attendance
  • Known side effects related to school functioning, if any
• If applying for a housing and/or dining accommodation, please include all functional limitations directly related to residential living and/or the meal plan. Please include a rationale for each recommendation.
• General comments from the evaluator are welcomed and appreciated.

Submit a Request For Accommodations

Documentation Guidelines for Psychiatric Disabilities

The Office of Accessibility Services will accept diagnoses of psychiatric disorders that are based on appropriate diagnostic evaluations. The evaluation must be conducted by a trained and qualified professional (i.e., psychiatrist, psychologist, neuropsychologist or other certified and/or licensed mental health or medical professional or student clinician being supervised by a qualified professional).

Currency of Documentation: The provision of all reasonable accommodations, adjustments, and auxiliary services are based upon assessment of the current impact and limitations of the disorder on the student’s academic performance and/or residential status. Therefore, it is in the student’s best interest to provide recent and appropriate documentation relevant to the student’s learning environment and/or living situation. The documentation, in general, must be no more than one year old and more recent documentation may be required in some cases. Due to the nature of psychiatric disorders, updated reports may be requested.

The report should be printed on professional letterhead and may not be written by an immediate family member of the individual. The report should be sent to the Office of Accessibility Services via a HIPAA compliant electronic platform, such as Zendto, or mailed directly to William Jewell College, Attn: Office of Accessibility Services, 500 College Hill, Liberty, MO 64068.

Diagnostic Report

A comprehensive report should contain the following information:

• A clear statement of the disability, including the DSM-5 diagnosis and description of severity.
• A summary of current symptoms.
• Date of diagnosis and approximate date of onset and prognosis of the disorder.
• A summary of historical information, diagnostic interview, and assessment procedures/evaluation instruments used to make the diagnosis (if applicable).A summary of evaluation results, including standardized or percentile scores should also be included.
• Statement of current impact and limitations of the disorder on the student’s academic performance and/or residential status.
• Medical information relating to the student’s needs, to include current treatments and the impact of medication on the student’s ability to meet the demands of the postsecondary environment.
• Recommendations for academic and/or housing accommodations to compensate for the disorder. Each recommended accommodation must include a rationale. Please indicate effective dates and duration for each accommodation as appropriate (i.e. extended testing time for the current academic year, a single room accommodation for one semester)
• The name, title, and professional credentials of the evaluator.
  The College reserves the right to request additional documentation, when necessary, to fully evaluate any safety or health risks that may be associated with the residential status of the student.
• Individuals requesting an ESA (Emotional Support Animal) accommodation should also include the following information in their documentation:
  • The relationship between the disability and the relief the animal provides.
  • Information that demonstrates the animal is necessary in order for the resident to use and enjoy his/her residential dwelling.

Further assessment and/or documentation by an appropriate professional may be required if there are co-existing disabilities indicated. If learning, attentional, or physical disorders are involved, please refer to the documentation guidelines for those specific disabilities.

Submit a Request For Accommodations

Reduced Course Load Policy
Effective: 8/1/15
Updated: 11/7/22
Contact: Accessibility Services

William Jewell College has a policy and procedure in place for a qualified student with a disability to request a reduced course load while retaining full-time equivalency. William Jewell recognizes that students with certain disabilities may not be able to successfully manage a standard full-time schedule every semester, but deserve the opportunity to benefit from those services, activities, and programs that are enjoyed by students with full-time status. This full-time equivalency status will ensure that disabled students are allowed to participate in and benefit from all programs and services offered to other full-time students. This policy requires that, once a student has been approved for a reduced course load, the student be continuously enrolled in at least 9 credit hours per semester for full-time equivalency status. To maintain satisfactory progress toward a degree, students with this accommodation must pass a minimum of 6 credits during a regular semester and a minimum of 15 credits during any academic year.

Students must request this accommodation for every semester in which they wish to receive a reduced course load with full-time equivalency status. Completing the accommodation application does not guarantee the approval of any accommodation. Accommodations are determined on a case-by-case basis for otherwise qualified individuals who have a demonstrated need for these services and can provide appropriate documentation.

Incoming students may apply for a reduced course load through the Accessibility Services Office upon acceptance to the College. They must provisionally register for a full course load, and are expected to attend those classes until the change in status has been approved. Current students are strongly encouraged to request this accommodation well in advance (at least 4 weeks) prior to registering for their classes for the upcoming semester. Accommodation applications for reduced course load that are received during a semester that a student is already enrolled in are generally processed for the following semester. Before registering for an academic term, a student who has been approved for this accommodation should meet with his or her advisor to plan the proper series of courses which still need to occur, consider the amount of work it will require, and discuss progress towards graduation.

Students who receive this accommodation will be billed as full-time students. All student charges (tuition, room, and board and fees) are billed at the full-time student rate. Services, such as financial aid and/or scholarships which are based on credit-hours, may be pro-rated to adjust for the difference in number of hours enrolled.Within the limits of Federal and State financial aid regulations, every effort will be made to protect students from incurring additional costs. The student should contact the Financial Aid office regarding the particular financial implications that may occur as a result of a reduced course load. Institutional aid will be applied at the full-time student rate.

Federal Stafford Loan Eligibility: Eligibility will be reduced according to the total number of credit hours taken in the full academic year. A student must be at least half time in a semester (six credits) in order to receive a Stafford Loan.

Federal Pell Grant Eligibility: Grants are prorated based on the number of credit hours taken. A student can take as few as three credit hours and still be eligible for a Pell Grant.

William Jewell College Institutional Aid: Institutional aid is reserved for all students having full-time status, including those with approval to take a reduced load for reasons of a disability, provided the load for the semester does not drop below 9 credits. This applies for merit, need-based, and athletic aid. Eligibility requirements remain in place for all students including those with reduced loads. Student athletes are subject to NCAA restrictions noted below.

National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), Division II: Regulations, Section 14.4.3.8 states: “The Academic Requirements Committee may waive the general satisfactory progress requirements for a learning disabled or handicapped student athlete when objective evidence demonstrates that the institution has defined full-time enrollment for that student athlete to be less than 12 credit hours to accommodate the student’s learning disability or handicap.”

Visa/Immigration Status: International students should consult with the Financial Aid office before requesting a reduced course load, as there may be further immigration status implications when registering for less than 12 credit hours per semester.

4-Year Graduation Guarantee: Any student who requests and receives the reduced course load accommodation for one or more semesters during enrollment at William Jewell College, will not be eligible for the 4 year Graduation Guarantee program.

There may be instances where this accommodation need not be permitted to any program or activity in which the College demonstrates that a full-time enrollment of 12 credit hours or more is essential to meet the requirements for the program being pursued. In any case where the application of this accommodation would result in a change to the essential nature or standards of a program or activity, alternative reasonable and appropriate accommodations will be considered and documented.

Submit a Request For Accommodations

Any individual planning a visit to campus who may require an accommodation should contact the event coordinator in order to make a request. Visitors may also contact the counseling services to make a request for an accommodation on campus.