Mission Statement
The mission of the Office of Disability Services & Educational Access (DSEA) is to empower 91ÆÞÓÑ students with disabilities to fully participate in all aspects of university life and to create a culture of belonging in which diverse learners are valued and supported. DSEA partners with students, faculty, and staff to remove barriers and provide equitable access. Guided by our Christian commitment to the dignity and worth of every individual, DSEA and 91ÆÞÓÑ are dedicated to fostering an inclusive, accessible, and welcoming campus community.
DSEA is designed to:
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Assist students with the transition to college by removing barriers and providing equitable access.
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Support and enhance the students' experience through mentoring and by connecting them with campus resources.
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Strive toward creating a climate of inclusivity and offer learning opportunities that educate everyone on campus regarding accessibility.
The ADA defines an individual with a disability as a person who:
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Has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities
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Has a record of such impairment
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Is regarded as having such an impairment
Students with a disability seeking accommodations at 91ÆÞÓÑ must submit documentation to the Office of Disability Services & Educational Access (DSEA). The purpose of verifying documentation is to establish the existence of a disability as defined under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). To establish the existence of a disability under these statutes, the documentation must demonstrate that the condition is a mental or physical impairment that substantially limits a major life activity. Major life activities central to the college student experience include cognitive and communicative functions—such as reading, writing, learning, listening, and speaking—alongside foundational daily activities including eating, sleeping, sitting, and mobility.
DSEA may request a diagnostic statement and a full clinical description of the condition from professionals such as psychologists, medical doctors, psychiatrists, or neurologists. The professional should be experienced in diagnosing and treating the disability, prepare the documentation on appropriate clinical stationery, sign the document, and, if asked, provide the University with verification of experience and expertise in the specialty. Documentation should be current (within three to five years), but exceptions may be necessary depending upon individual circumstances and/or disability. Students must begin the process by completing the Access Plan Request Form. After completing the form, students will receive a follow-up email in their 91ÆÞÓÑ inbox titled "Access Plan Registration Process" with the next steps, including a place to upload documentation. If accommodation requests are accepted, an email will be sent to the student’s instructor(s) for the class in which the student requests accommodations. Students must contact their professors to discuss accommodation logistics and follow up to ensure the instructor received the accommodation email.
Additional Resources
91ÆÞÓÑ's Accessibility Policy
Staff
Bridget Smith, M.S., Director
Hartley Fitzhugh, Assistant Director
Loretta Gregersen, Administrative/Testing Coordinator
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