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The Office of Accessibility Services offers accommodations for students with chronic illness, temporary medical conditions/sports injury, pregnancy/nursing or a disability. ��ҹ������Ʒ���� understands and follows the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and all other federal, state and local regulations regarding chronic medical and disability-related conditions. Anyone covered by the ADA who has specific needs will receive reasonable accommodations. Alvernia follows Title IX and will provide accommodations as requested by a physician for students who are pregnant or nursing.

The Office of Accessibility Services is located in Bernardine Hall, Room 105C. Contact us at accessibility.services@alvernia.edu.

Learn More

How to Log In to Accommodate to Submit an Initial Request for Accommodations

1. (First time only).

2. Complete the application.

3. Upload your documentation along with your request.

4. Once you submit your request, you will receive an email from Accessibility Services (OAS) to schedule an appointment to meet with the director of accessibility services. If you do not receive a scheduling email within two days of submitting your request (not including Saturday and Sunday), please email accessibility.services@alvernia.edu.

* If you would like to meet with OAS via Teams or in person before submitting your request, please email accessibility.services@alvernia.edu to schedule an appointment. 

How to Submit a Semester Renewal Request in Accommodate

1. . This will take you to the Alvernia Accommodate portal. Here, you can enter your Alvernia login and password, which will then take you to the Accommodate homepage.

2. Click the 3-bar menu at the top left of your screen; or if you do not see the 3-bar menu, then you should see a list of options.

3. Click "Accommodation."

4. Scroll down and click on "Semester Request" and then click "Apply Search."

5. Click on "Semester" and select the appropriate semester and year.

6. Click on the "Add New."

7. On the new screen, select the correct semester again, and all of the classes that you are currently enrolled in will populate.

8. Click on "Review the Renewal" - please do not click "Submit for All Accommodations."

• You will then individually select which accommodations you want in a particular class. For example, you may have the accommodations of extended test time and a note-taker, but one of your classes will not have any tests, but you still would like to implement your note-taker accommodation for that particular class.
• To only select certain accommodations for certain classes, unselect any classes that you do not wish to have that accommodation implemented, making sure that the classes you do want the accommodation in are still selected
• You will need to "remove" any accommodation that you do not wish to request (remove housing accommodation, or other accommodations that are not related to academics, including priority registration). *Please note that if your accommodation is not listed, click "Request Additional Accommodation", and the accommodation should populate in a new window. Select each accommodation you wish to request.
• When you have chosen the accommodation that you wish to request and removed any other accommodation you do not want to request, click "Submit" at the end of the page.
   

9. You will receive an email from Accommodate confirming the submission of your semester request.

10. Your case manager will send your Professor Accommodation letter to you and the particular classes you want the letter to be sent to.

11. It is your responsibility to contact your professor and request a time to meet and discuss the implementation of your accommodation.

12. You can click on "Accessibility Letters" under the "Accommodations" menu and see the Professor Accommodation Letter sent to you. You may print the letter or create a PDF from this screen.

13. If you have any difficulty submitting your semester request, reach out to Accessibility Services immediately. 

Appeal or Grievance Procedures

Institutions of higher education have the obligation to make informed decisions about accommodations. These decisions may not always coincide with recommendations from outside professionals or with prior Individualized Educational Programs (IEPs) and 504 Plans. Students who do not agree with the accommodation decisions of the Office of Accessibility Services should follow the process outlined below.

A student who disagrees with the appropriateness of a decision regarding accommodations should first contact the Office of Accessibility Services at accessibility.services@alvernia.edu to resolve the issue. If a satisfactory resolution still cannot be reached, the student has two options. For academic accommodations, written appeals should be sent to the Office of the Provost at Provost@alvernia.edu. For non-academic accommodations related to medical and physiological disabilities, including campus access (residential, classroom, social and athletic) written appeals should be sent to the Associate Vice President of Student Affairs/Dean of Students Abby Swatchick at Abby.Swatchick@alvernia.edu.

If the Chief Academic Officer/Provost or the Associate Vice President of Student Affairs/Dean of Students (as appropriate) determines the decision settled upon by the Office of Accessibility Services Director was reached according to ADA guidelines, written notification of the decision will be issued to the student and kept in the student’s file in the Accessibility Services Office. 

��ҹ������Ʒ���� is committed to providing equal access to educational opportunities, services and activities for students with disabilities. 

The Office of Accessibility Services (OAS) engages in an interactive process with each student who self-discloses a documented disability to determine eligibility for reasonable and appropriate accommodations, as defined under federal law.

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, a disability is defined as a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities.

The University provides reasonable accommodations to qualified students to ensure equal access to academic programs and activities. Reasonable accommodations are determined through a review of required documentation, on a case-by-case basis, to determine appropriate support to allow for equal access to academic programs. Some requested accommodations can be met through the daily opportunities/operations of the university that are available to all students. Each accommodation request is considered, however not all requested accommodations are approved, and a diagnosis does not automatically warrant approval of requested accommodations.

Students seeking accommodations must self-identify by completing an online accommodation application and submitting appropriate documentation to the Office of Accessibility Services. After the documentation is received and reviewed, the Director of Accessibility Services will review the request and meet with the student to determine eligibility for accommodations.

The Office of Accessibility Services is located in Bernadine Hall 105 and can be reached via telephone at 610-790-1983, or via email at accessibility.services@alvernia.edu.

Frequently Asked Questions 

What are common academic accommodations at the college level? 

Below are examples of common academic accommodations.  These are only provided as examples, not an exclusive list: 

• Extended time for timed assessments (exams/quizzes/etc.).

• Permission for examinations to be proctored in a reduced distraction setting.

• Permission for the use of computers, digital recorders, or other technology to assist in note-taking. 

• Provision of Braille books, audio books, or other alternative formats.

• Access to assistive technology and software for text-to-speech and speech-to-text assistance.

• Communication access, such as sign-language interpreters.

• Modification of physical barriers or changing the location of a class to accommodate students with a disability or injury that affects mobility.

• Other reasonable accommodations as necessary based on the effects of a student's disability. 

What factors are considered in making accommodation decisions? 

While previously approved accommodations, such as IEPs or 504 plans, may shed light to what adjustments have been beneficial to the student in the past, the following factors are used to determine what accommodations are appropriate at the Post Secondary level: 

• If the proposed accommodation is necessary to provide a student who has a disability meaningful access or an equal opportunity to gain the same benefits as their non-disabled peers.
• If the proposed accommodation is logically connected to the impacts of the student’s disability and the barriers to access they experience in the academic and/or campus environment.
• If the proposed accommodation is logically designed to address and remove the identified barrier to access.
• If implemented, the proposed accommodation would be effective in removing the identified barrier to access.
• The proposed accommodation does not:
  • Lower an essential program standard
  • Fundamentally alter an essential program element or requirement
  • Pose an undue administrative or financial burden

I am going to be a new student at Alvernia.  When should I begin the process of applying for accommodations? 

We kindly ask that new students do not submit accommodation requests until information has been shared by the Director of Accessibility Services that we are ready to begin reviewing accommodations.  Information about the application process will be sent to your Alvernia email in mid-June.  If you are enrolling any semester prior to the fall semester/Mod 3, please contact our office before submitting your intake form. 

If there is information you need about accessibility needs to determine if Alvernia is the right school for you, please contact our office directly at accessibility.services@alvernia.edu or 610-790-1983. 

Do I need to reapply for accommodations each semester?

While students do not need to reapply for accommodations that are academic in nature each semester, students must reactivate their accommodations each semester by submitting a semester request in Accommodate.  Instructions on how to complete this can be found in Accommodate. 

Accommodations that are temporary in nature are given an expiration date.  If a student is still experiencing disability-related symptoms, they should contact the Office of Accessibility Services for assistance with next steps.

Housing and dining accommodations must be renewed each school year.  Information on how to do so, including the timeline, will be shared with students during the housing selection process. 

If I do not agree with the decisions made regarding my accommodations, is there an appeal or grievance policy? 

Institutions of higher education have the obligation to make informed decisions about accommodations. These decisions may not always coincide with recommendations from outside professionals or with prior Individualized Educational Programs (IEPs) and 504 Plans. Students who do not agree with the accommodation decisions of the Office of Accessibility Services should follow the process outlined below.

A student who disagrees with the appropriateness of a decision regarding accommodations should first contact the Office of Accessibility Services at accessibility.services@alvernia.edu to resolve the issue. If a satisfactory resolution still cannot be reached, the student has two options:

• For academic accommodations, written appeals should be sent to the Office of the Provost at Provost@alvernia.edu.
• For non-academic accommodations related to medical and physiological disabilities, including campus access (residential, classroom, social and dining) written appeals should be sent to the Associate Vice President of Student Affairs and Dean of Students Abby Swatchick at Abby.Swatchick@alvernia.edu.

If the Chief Academic Officer/Provost or the Associate Vice President of Student Affairs/Dean of Students (as appropriate) determines the decision settled upon by the Office of Accessibility Services Director was reached according to ADA guidelines, written notification of the decision will be issued to the student and kept in the student’s file in the Accessibility Services Office. 

Meet the Staff [CB2] 

Contact card for Lizette Peck 

Requesting Accommodations (subpage) 

Students seeking accommodations must self-identify by completing an online accommodation application and submitting appropriate documentation to the Office of Accessibility Services. After the documentation is received and reviewed, the Director of Accessibility Services will review the request and meet with the student to determine eligibility for accommodations.  Additional details can be found below.

For incoming students: We kindly ask that new students do not submit accommodation requests until information has been shared by the Director of Accessibility Services that we are ready to begin reviewing accommodations.  Information about the application process will be sent to your Alvernia email in mid-June.  If you are enrolling any semester prior to the fall semester/Mod 3, please contact our office before submitting your intake form. 

Thank you for your patience while we make sure students are fully loaded into our computer systems to avoid a delay in processing the request.

Steps for Students to Request Accommodations for a Disability – First Time Applicants

1. Complete the initial intake form, including your official documentation
   • Fill out the with as much detail as possible.
   • Pay close attention to how you enter your ID number, as incorrect entry can cause delay in processing.
   • Be sure to include your official documentation.  More information about what is needed to meet the documentation guidelines can be found here[CB3] .
   • If you are unsure if your documentation meets the requirements, do not let this stop you from applying, but please be aware that we may ask for additional documentation upon submission to fully process your request. 

   • Please allow up to 2 weeks for reviewing your request. 

      

2. Schedule and attend an intake meeting
   • After your documentation is received and reviewed, you will receive an email to your Alvernia email from the Director of Accessibility Services to schedule your intake meeting to discuss possible accommodations.
   • The ADA mandates that colleges provide reasonable accommodations to students with disabilities, as long as the accommodations do not fundamentally alter the nature of the academic program.
   • Accommodations are determined individually, based on your specific needs, not your diagnosis.  The intake meeting is an interactive process that helps determine what the specific needs are. 

2. Receive and Share Your Accommodation Letter
   • Once your accommodations are agreed upon, you’ll receive an electronic copy of your accommodation letter.
   • Accommodations are not retroactive, and can only be implemented once you letter is signed.
   • At the start of each semester, you’ll receive an email with instructions for next steps, including how to request digital delivery of your course accommodation letters to faculty.
   • It is the student’s responsibility to sign and send accommodation letters to faculty each semester.

Applying for New Accommodations 

If you currently have accommodations through Alvernia, but believe a change is needed or that you would benefit from additional accommodations, you will need to submit a supplemental application. You can take the following steps to do so: 

1. Log into or via the Logins page
2. Click on "Accommodation" then "Supplemental"
3. Click on "Add New" and complete the form with documentation. 

Depending on the nature of the request, you may be required to meet with a member of the Office of Accessibility Services.  Next steps will be communicated with you via your Alvernia email. 

Required Documentation (subpage)

Requests for accommodations should be supported by proper documentation.  While documentation alone does not determine what is an appropriate accommodation, it is an important part of the review process. 

Should you have questions about your documentation, please contact the Office of Accessibility Services and we would be happy to assist you. 

Records supporting the use of services in high school or at other institutions are helpful in assisting OAS staff, although reports such as IEPs, 504 plans, and letters from disability service providers at other colleges are not, in themselves, automatically considered sufficient to meet this documentation request. 

Alvernia professional staff reserves the right to request additional information to determine appropriate services or eligibility, if necessary. 

Accordion: What is the purpose of documentation? 

• To learn if the student can be considered a person with a disability, and therefore eligible for protection against discrimination on the basis of disability.
• To supplement student information regarding the impact of the disability.
• To add crucial information to the process of determining reasonable accommodation(s) (such as auxiliary aids and services) designed to facilitate equal access to Alvernia environments on a case-by-case basis.

Accordion: What are the overall standards for documentation?

1. Qualified Evaluator
   • Documentation must be provided by a professional qualified by education and experience to diagnose the specific disability.
   • Professionals should not evaluate members of their own families for documentation purposes.
2. Documentation Format
   • All reports should be typed or legibly written on official letterhead, dated, and with the provider’s license number and signature included.
3. Document Expectations
   • Documentation should detail the instruments and standards used for evaluation.
   • An official diagnosis or clear description of the condition.
   • The appropriate DSM-5 code may be included.
   • The report should describe how the student's disability substantially limits one or more major life activities.
4. Date of Documentation
   • Documentation should be current and relevant, preferably within five (5) years for learning disabilities and within one-to-three (1-3) years for most other disabilities.
     • More leniency is granted for permanent medical conditions or observable physical disabilities.
     • More specific documentation guidelines for graduate exams and other assessments may be required. If students want to review the documentation guidelines for graduate exams, please contact our office.
5. Recommendations for Accommodations
   • While the evaluators’ report can list recommended accommodations, the Office of Accessibility Services staff will determine the appropriateness and reasonableness of these accommodations.
   • Accommodation requests must be directly connected to the student's current functional limitations, with a clear explanation or rationale provided for each recommended accommodation.

Accordion: How can I submit my documentation?

Documentation can be submitted via Accommodate, email, mail, or dropped off to the Office of Accessibility Services during business hours.

• Preferred method: Submit documentation with your application (initial or supplemental) through Accommodate
• Email: accessibility.services@alvernia.edu
• Bring to the Office of Accessibility Services in Bernadine Hall, Suite 105 during business hours: Monday through Friday from 8:00am until 4:30pm.
• Mail: Documentation can be mailed to:
  ��ҹ������Ʒ����
  Attn: Office of Accessibility Services – BH 105 
  400 Saint Bernadine Street
  Reading, PA 19607

Disability Information & Definitions (subpage)

Disability Information and Definitions

To qualify for accommodations under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act (1973) or the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA, 1990, amended 2008), an individual’s condition must meet the ADA’s definition of a disability: a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities.

The ADA ensures that individuals with disabilities are protected from discrimination and are entitled to accommodations that help them to participate fully in college life, including academic programs.

Definition of Disability: Definition Language 

Disability: Typically defined as a physical, mental, or emotional condition that substantially limits one or more major life activities. A student with a disability may experience significant barriers in performing academic tasks or engaging in campus life without accommodations or support.

Clinical Diagnosis or Disability: A diagnosis alone is insufficient for accommodations. Documentation must show how the condition substantially impairs major life activities and how it meets the definition of a disability, with detailed descriptions of current functional limitations in a college setting. Accommodations typically relate directly to these limitations, with clear rationale for each request.

Substantially Limits: The condition must impose significant restrictions on how an individual performs a major life activity compared to the general population. Determination of substantial limitation is made by qualified professionals using multiple sources of information.

Major Life Activities: Under the ADA, major life activities refer to basic tasks that are essential to daily life. These include but are not limited to: walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing, learning, working, caring for oneself, performing manual tasks.

Equal Access: The goal of equal access is not to give students with disabilities an advantage, but rather to level the playing field so that they can demonstrate their abilities and participate in academic and extracurricular activities just like other students. This doesn't mean providing the exact same resources for every student, but rather ensuring that any barriers created by the disability are removed, so the student can fully engage in academics, campus activities, and other opportunities.

Intake Meeting: The intake meeting is an interactive process in which the student will discuss with a Disability Specialist their submitted documentation and their personal experience living with a disability. The goal is to identify appropriate accommodations or auxiliary aids to address barriers caused by the disability and to ensure equal access to the student’s academic and college program. Students should regularly check their Whitman email for a meeting “invitation” so that the meeting can occur in a timely manner. Accommodations cannot be finalized without this step.

Accommodations:  Accommodations or “adjustments” are approved on a case-by-case basis and are tailored to allow for equal access by meeting the student’s specific needs due to the impact of the disability. These accommodations can be approved on a provisional, temporary, or permanent basis. Reasonable accommodations are determined through information presented by the student, evaluation of access barriers in environments, and DSS staff member’s knowledge, and in consultation with academic course/program staff, to ensure that accommodations do not fundamentally alter academic standards or change the program or course curriculum. 

Fundamentally Alter: A significant change in a program or activity that results in an alteration of its core nature or functionality. If alternate accommodations are possible, those will be offered to the student.

Otherwise Qualified:  Being "otherwise qualified" to be a student at a college means that, aside from having a disability, the student meets all the academic and other general requirements needed to attend and succeed at the college. In other words, a student’s disability does not stop them from being able to meet the essential expectations of college life.