Accessibility Resources Brochure

Office of Student Life

OFFICE OF ACCESSIBILITY RESOURCES AND SERVICES

Smith Library, Fourth Floor ph 336.841.9026 | f 336.888.6324 | www.highpoint.edu/OARS

OUR MISSION: To empower students to receive equal

• Removing barriers to equal access

access to education and all aspects of

• Promoting self-advocacy

university life, through:

• Multidisciplinary partnerships

DISABILITY SUPPORT

VOLUNTARY DISCLOSURE

High Point University supports the efforts and welfare of all its students. One such avenue of support lies in the provision of reasonable accommodations to eligible students with disabilities. High Point University is committed to complying with all legally mandated requirements. The mandate to provide reasonable accommodations comes from the federal Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act of 2008 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. High Point University values accessibility and inclusion, and its mission is to provide equal educational opportunity to all its students.

Academic Accommodations

Most Common Academic Accommodations

Requesting Academic Accommodations

• Extended test time • Distraction-reduced environment for tests • Note-taking assistance • Textbooks in an alternate format • Use of a computer for tests with extensive writing • Four-functional calculator for exams • Interpreters/Transcribers and/or CART services • Kurzweil 3000 for exams

Assistive Technology The following assistive technology is available to students based on accommodation needs: • Kurzweil Reading Software • Dragon NaturallySpeaking • Echo Smartpen • Sonocent

Students are not required to disclose a disability in order to access resources/services at HPU, such as: • Tutoring • Writing Center • Math Lab

• Student Life Assistance • Counseling Center • Learning Excellence

However, a student must disclose a documented disability with the Office of Accessibility Resources and Services (OARS) in order to qualify for academic accommodations.

Visit our website to request Academic Accommodations: www.highpoint.edu/OARS.

Once you have been accepted to High Point University students should: • Register online at oars.highpoint.edu • Provide documentation • Contact OARS at oars@highpoint.edu or 336-841-9026 to discuss services with an Accessibility Specialist Students must provide their professors with notification of approved accommodations each semester.

Documentation Diagnostic documentation from a qualified and licensed provider must be relevant to the diagnosed disability and could include psychological/educational evaluation(s) including tests of aptitude, achievement, information processing, executive functioning and continuous performance. Documentation may also consist of assessments from clinical or educational psychologists, school psychologists, neuropsychologists, learning disabilities specialists and medical doctors.

HOUSING ACCOMMODATIONS

TESTING PROCEDURES Extended time for exams and testing in an environment with fewer distractions are the most common accommodations. Students are responsible for making exam arrangements with each professor and for each exam.

To schedule exams with OARS, complete an Exam Request form online at www.highpoint.edu/oars/ exam-accommodation-request/ at least three days prior to the exam.

Only students granted testing accommodations can use the OARS testing center.

Special Considerations Dietary Needs Students with food allergies and/or other dietary concerns can request accommodations online at oars.highpoint.edu.

Additionally, students should contact the Hospitality Team at hospitality@highpoint.edu.

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA), housing requests for students with documented disabilities are made through the Office of Accessibility Resources and Services (OARS). The OARS staff will review each request on a case-by-case basis and may consult with the student when necessary to determine whether an accommodation is appropriate and medically necessary.

All approved requests will be forwarded to the Office of Student Life for an appropriate housing assignment.

Housing assignments are made by Student Life and based upon date of request, availability and other guidelines established by that office.

Housing Accommodations Complete the OARS Housing Request form at oars.highpoint.edu.

• Submit the Documentation for Accessible Housing form completed and signed by a qualified licensed provider • Housing accommodations provide accessible housing but do not assure a specific residence hall or location • Accessible housing is assigned on a first-come, first-served basis

Confidentiality

Service Animals must be under the handler’s control at all times. There may be locations on campus which would not be appropriate for a Service Animal (science labs).

OARS will assist students with voluntary registry of any service animal.

All student records, including diagnostic documentation and accommodations, are kept in accordance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). Information will not be released in a manner other than noted on the OARS Intake Form. Information regarding diagnosis or treatment will not be released without written permission from the student. All arrangements are made based on the need for accommodations rather than the diagnosis or the nature of the disability.

Requests to bring an emotional support animal (ESA) to campus should be done when registering for housing.

Visit oars.highpoint.edu to complete a request for an emotional support animal.

A student’s disability should not be disclosed in a classroom or campus program. Attention should not be drawn to a student’s disability or to an accommodation being implemented.

Service Animals on Campus

OFFICE OF STUDENT LIFE High Point University’s Office of Accessibility Resources and Services is located on the fourth floor of the Smith Library.

Walk-in hours are available through the week and are posted on the OARS website. phone (336) 841-9026 fax (336) 888-6324 Visit our webpage www.highpoint.edu/oars OARS email: oars@highpoint.edu • Register for services • Apply for academic accommodations • Apply for housing accommodations • Schedule testing accommodations • Request an appointment • Request an interpreter If you need accommodations as a student or a guest visiting our campus, please contact us at OARS@highpoint.edu.

One University Parkway High Point, North Carolina 27268