Furman University recognizes a student with a disability as anyone whose impairment substantially limits one or more major life activity. Students may receive a variety of services including classroom accommodations such as extended time on tests, test proctoring, note-taking assistance and access to assistive technology. However, receipt of reasonable accommodations cannot guarantee success–all students are responsible for meeting academic standards. Students with a diagnosed disability may be entitled to accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Complete the SOAR Student Application to request accommodations.
Submit documentation.
Furman University is committed to ensuring equal access for persons with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) as amended in 2009. Students who wish to obtain accommodations for a disability must submit documentation of the disability to the Student Office for Accessibility Resources. It is the responsibility of the student with a disability to obtain and pay for this documentation.
The purpose of the documentation is twofold. First, it must establish that the student is a person with a disability. The documentation must also provide a rationale for authorizing reasonable accommodations. The purpose of accommodations is to allow equal access for the student with a disability.
Accommodations should be appropriate to a student’s current level of functioning. In general, the evaluation should be conducted within three years of the date of request for services. Exceptions may be made in the case of a disability of a permanent and unchanging nature. If the disability is less stable, more frequent updates may be required. Although the underlying processes involved in AD/HD may be life long, there may be changes in functioning within an academic setting over time. As a general rule, it is appropriate to re-evaluate these conditions periodically in order to adjust the accommodations to current needs.
Documentation for AD/HD should consist of a written statement, evaluation report, or a detailed letter from a licensed psychologist or physician who diagnosed the disorder and/or is responsible for treatment of the disorder. The written statement must comply with the guidelines described below. Please note that an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) or Section 504 Plan does not generally provide enough information to meet these documentation guidelines. It will be accepted as supplemental information.
Students who are requesting more than minimal accommodations for AD/HD must follow the university’s guidelines for learning disabilities. Minimal accommodations are defined as extended time (up to time-and-a-half) for tests, option to take tests in a low-distraction environment, and note-taking assistance.
Documentation should:
All documentation should be sent to:
Student Office for Accessibility Resources Furman University 3300 Poinsett Highway Greenville, SC 29613 Fax: 864.294.3044 Email: SOAR@furman.edu
Accommodations should be appropriate to a student’s current level of functioning. In general, the evaluation should be conducted within three to five years of the date of request for services. Exceptions may be made in the case of a disability of a permanent and unchanging nature. If the disability is less stable, more frequent updates may be required. Although the underlying processes involved in learning disabilities may be life- long, there may be changes in functioning within an academic setting over time. As a general rule, it is appropriate to re-evaluate these conditions periodically in order to adjust the accommodations to current needs.
Documentation for learning disabilities must meet the following criteria. Please note that an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) or Section 504 Plan does not generally provide enough information to meet these documentation guidelines. It will be accepted as supplemental information.
The evaluation should include:
Accommodations should be appropriate to a student’s current level of functioning. In general, the evaluation should be conducted within three to five years of the date of request for services. Exceptions may be made in the case of a disability of a permanent and unchanging nature. If the disability is less stable, more frequent updates may be required.
Documentation for a physical disability must meet the following criteria. Please note that an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) or Section 504 Plan does not generally provide enough information to meet these documentation guidelines. It will be accepted as supplemental information.
Accommodations should be appropriate to a student’s current level of functioning. In general, the evaluation should be conducted within one year of the date of request for services. Exceptions may be made in the case of a disability of a permanent and unchanging nature. If the disability is less stable, more frequent updates may be required.
Documentation for a psychiatric disability should consist of a written statement, evaluation report, or a detailed letter from a licensed mental health practitioner or physician who diagnosed the disorder and/or is responsible for treatment of the disorder. The written statement must comply with the guidelines described below. Please note that an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) or Section 504 Plan does not generally provide enough information to meet these documentation guidelines. It will be accepted as supplemental information.