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PURPOSE

The purpose of this Policy is to set forth provisions for the college’s University’s compliance with relevant legislation and establishes the Canisius College’s University’s intent that qualified students with disabilities be provided with reasonable accommodation to ensure equal access and equal opportunities with regard to the college’s University’s programs and services.  This Policy is intended to provide a method by which the college University will process students requests for disability accommodations.

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It is the policy of Canisius College University to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), the Disabilities Amendments Act of 2008 (ADAAA), applicable provisions of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the New York Human Rights Law (“Human Rights Law”), and applicable local laws that forbid discrimination against qualified individuals with disabilities.  Accordingly, Canisius College University provides reasonable accommodations to qualified students and applicants who have disabilities where such accommodations would not cause the college University undue hardship.  Canisius College University strives to foster a culture where such students feel no hesitation about requesting accommodations that will enable them to participate in social, academic, and collegeUniversity-sponsored extracurricular programs.

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Documentation—Those documents and reports that are required to be presented to the college University by the person requesting an accommodation before any accommodation will be provided. Documentation consists of official written communications from a relevant qualified treating health professional (such as a physician, surgeon, psychiatrist, physical therapist, etc.). This communication must be current and must describe the diagnosis and nature of the disability, the major life function(s) affected, the functional limitations of the disability, and the prognosis. The professional may also make suggestions regarding the accommodations being requested, and the college University may ask the person requesting an accommodation to provide input from the professional concerning appropriate and meaningful accommodations.

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Hardship—An undue hardship is an action that requires significant difficulty or expense in relation to the size of Canisius CollegeUniversity, the resources available, and the nature of the job, operation or activity.

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Qualified Individual with a Disability—One who, with or without reasonable accommodation, can perform the essential functions of a particular job or meet specific academic/program requirements for participation in a college University sponsored program, service or activity.

Reasonable Accommodations—An action that may be taken by the college University to accommodate an individual with a documented disability, without imposing an undue hardship on the collegeUniversity.

Substantially Limits—An individual’s major life activity is substantially limited if he/she is unable to perform a major life activity that an average person in the general population can perform.  An impairment that is episodic or in remission is a disability if it would substantially limit a major life activity when active.  Mitigating measures taken by the individual will not be taken into consideration in determining whether the individual is substantially limited in a major life activity, except for corrective eyewear.

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The student must meet with a professional in Accessibility Support to discuss the accommodations, and to become familiar with the procedures.  Through consultation and evaluation of documentation, each student’s needs are identified on a case-by-case, course-by-course basis.  If documentation is out dated or further documentation is needed, Accessibility Support requires that the student obtain the needed information or assessment to receive services.  No diagnostic testing is provided through Accessibility Support.  There is a psychologist referral list available that highlights cost, locations, and insurance accepted.  Students may register with the office at any point throughout their academic career.  Documentation provided to Accessibility Support is not considered part of a student’s permanent academic record.  Accessibility Support will keep files for a minimum of seven years, and then at that time will destroy the content, unless the student requests the information be returned.  Applicable Accessibility Support forms are available at https://www.canisius.edu/student-experience/student-support-services/griff-center/accessibility-support/policies-and-forms .

Auxiliary Aids

A college University student, living with a disability, who is in need of an auxiliary aid, must provide Accessibility Support with appropriate documentation.  This documentation should be provided by the student, to Accessibility Support, in the interest of assuring that documentation is appropriate to and/or verify eligibility and to support requests for auxiliary aids on the basis of a learning disability that currently substantially limits one or more major life activities.  Documentation serves as a foundation that legitimizes a student’s request for appropriate accommodations.  In the K-12 school setting, teachers and/or counselors may have arranged support services for students with disabilities.  In the college University setting, the students themselves must identify the need for an auxiliary aid and give adequate notice of the need to Accessibility Support.  Appropriate aids are selected after discussion with the student and Accessibility Support.   Colleges  Universitys are not required to provide the most up to date sophisticated auxiliary aids available; however, the aids provided should meet the needs of a student with a disability.   Colleges  Universitys have flexibility in choosing the specific aid or service it provides to the student, as long as the aid or service selected is effective.

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While funding for accommodations to ensure equal access is available from Canisius CollegeUniversity, funding for auxiliary aids is often the responsibility of state vocational rehabilitation agencies and the student.  The college University does not provide prescription devices, or devices and services of a personal nature.

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Loan of Adaptive Equipment: The college University may loan some types of adaptive equipment and devices to qualified students free-of-charge.  Equipment is loaned out on a daily, weekly, or semester basis depending on need and demand for equipment by other students.

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Students with print disabilities, such as visual impairments and certain learning disabilities, may require textbooks and material in an alternative format.  The following policy has been created to provide information and direction regarding alternative text services Accessibility Support provides, as well as guidelines relative to how these services may be obtained from this office.  This policy is reviewed and modified on a regular basis to meet the ongoing needs of students with print disabilities at Canisius CollegeUniversity.

Policy and Procedure

• Alternative text accommodations are provided to students who are registered with Accessibility Support and have been approved for this accommodation by the Director.
• Students requesting alternative text must be enrolled in the course for which the alternate text is being requested.  Requests for alternative text must be received with each new semester as well as each new class.  It is recommended that requests be made at least 4-6 weeks in advance of classes starting.  If the student has trouble obtaining this information from the course instructor, the student must contact Accessibility Support as soon as the delay is known.  The student is still responsible for purchasing the textbook(s) appropriate for each class.
• In order to receive alternate text materials, the student must verify that the instructional materials have been purchased and/or ordered.  Accessibility Support will then or order materials on behalf of the student.
• In order to secure a request for alternate text (e-text, Braille, tactile graphics, large print) please complete the on-line Alternative Text Request form.  Please complete one form per each alternate text service needed.
• Alternate text requests should be submitted as soon as the student enrolls in a course.  Late requests will be honored with the understanding that Accessibility Support will attempt to complete the work in a timely fashion.  Turn-around times for alternate text requests are determined on a case by case basis.  Upon review of material to be formatted and converted, Accessibility Support will notify the student of the projected completion date.

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• Each student requiring an electronic version of their text will be encouraged to sign up with the Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic lending library (RFB&D) and/or other agencies as suggested by Accessibility Support.  The student is responsible for the lifetime membership fee.
• Each student will be encouraged to contact RFB&D or other agencies immediately to inquire if required textbooks are available on cassette tape or computer disk.  If so, the student will be encouraged to order the books from RFB&D or other agencies.
• Accessibility Support will explore the feasibility of having the textbook recorded on campus or make other accommodations.  The final decision as to which accommodation to use is the college’sUniversity’s; student preference will be taken under consideration, but not necessarily determine the final decision.
• If there is enough time to send the book out to be recorded, the DSS office will obtain the required copies of the book, if possible with funding from Vocational and Educational Services for Individuals with Disabilities (VESID).  The DSS Office will arrange for RFB&D or another agency to record the book and send the cassette tapes directly to the student as they are recorded.

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• Students may also have a need to request formatted/edited text.  Requests for formatted e-text will require the student to electronically submit the Alternative Text Request form online.
• Alternate text production for formatted text will begin when Accessibility Support has received the online request form, the hardcopy textbook and the instructor’s course syllabus.  Students will not their hard copy materials back from Accessibility Support upon completion of the conversion to alternative text.
• Accessibility Support will request e-text directly from publishers for all requests.  If the alternate text request is for formatted text and there is no response from the publisher, the college University will scan the hard copy materials and begin production.  The time frame will be established on a case-by-case basis based on student need.
• In order to meet immediate needs of as many students as possible, formatted alternate text may be provided in stages based on the course syllabus and direction from the student making the request.
• Students can produce hard copy alternate text, such as Braille, from electronic files provided by Accessibility Support or large print by using the copy machine.
• In the event that a student drops the class, or there is a change in the alternate text need, the student is to notify Accessibility Support so the office can respond accordingly by either discontinuing or modifying the current and future job(s) in progress.

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The GRIFF Center for Academic Engagement and Student Life at Canisius College University work to promote academic excellence and personal growth for all Canisius students.  Appropriate housing assignments enable students to build a foundation for academic success and create an environment that fosters healthy lifestyles.  Special-Need Housing Accommodations are based on medical, psychological, or other disability-related needs.  All students are expected to complete the Residence Life Housing Application, meet the appropriate housing deadlines, and pay the housing deposit. In addition, students requesting special-needs housing accommodations must register with the office, complete the Accessibility Support intake form, as well as the reasonable housing form, and provide proper documentation by a licensed or certified official.  A new housing form must be submitted to Accessibility Support at the beginning of each academic year.  It is recommended that students requesting special housing make an appointment with the Accessibility Support at least two weeks prior to the housing application deadline to discuss the requested accommodation(s). Accessibility Support will only facilitate special-need housing accommodations for Canisius students living in buildings/houses owned by Canisius CollegeUniversity.  Housing rates are set on the basis of the building, type of room, and occupancy of room.  Rates are the same for all students regardless of a disability and a list of the rates are available in the Student Life Office.  All information regarding special-need housing accommodations is kept in The GRIFF Center for Academic Engagement and is strictly confidential.

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How to Apply to Be a Note Taker: Contact Accessibility Support to apply for a note taking position that has been announced in one or more of your classes.  Accessibility Support  also encourages past note takers to contact the office during the first week of classes to let it know of the classes that the note taker is available to take notes for.  Accessibility Support will either let the note taker know at that point if there is currently a class available, or it will phone the note taker when one becomes available.  Accessibility Support is located in Old Main 013 and is open during the academic semester Monday through Thursday 8 am to 8 pm; Friday 8 am to 5 pm.  Intersemester and Summer hours are 8:30am to 4:30pm. If hired, and the note taker is not a Canisius College University employee (i.e. work-study, CEEP Grant recipient), the note taker will need to complete necessary paperwork for the Payroll Office and provide a copy of two valid forms of identification, such as:

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Accessibility Support provides a shuttle service to students who are registered with the office.  The shuttle is offered as a service to college University students, but is not considered an accommodation based on the Americans with Disabilities Act.  This service is available for students that are permanently or temporarily registered with the Accessibility Support.

• The Accessibility Support Shuttle runs Monday through Friday during the academic year when classes are in session only.
• Arrangements for the Accessibility Support Shuttle should be made through the office.  For registrations, please call the office at (716) 888-2170 or stop in the office at Old Main 013.  When making arrangements be advised that schedules must be coordinated with the schedule of other students already using this service.  Students may need to be flexible with their pick-up and drop-off times.  Scheduling may be affected by high traffic hours, weather conditions, emergencies and other conditions that may cause scheduling changes.  Also, all Canisius College University vehicles must adhere to traffic laws, consider weather conditions and/or may need to respond to emergencies that may cause a delay in service.
• Students who need shuttle service beyond the hours available through the Accessibility Support should call Public Safety dispatch (716) 888-2330 and arrange for a ride.
• The Public Safety shuttle runs until 2 a.m.  The Public Safety vans have enough space for a student with a mobility issue to be able to access the van.  In cases where the student is unable to access the van, the student should call the Public Safety dispatch (716) 888-2330 to arrange for an alternative method of transportation.
• For students in wheelchairs, shuttle service for afternoon and evening classes/events may be arranged through the Accessibility Support with at least two days notice.  In case of an emergency, please call Public Safety (716) 888-2330 and they will assist with the situation.

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Evacuation Plan for Individuals with Disabilities

Canisius College’s University’s policies and procedures require that everyone evacuates campus facilities any time the fire-alarm system is activated and/or upon notification by Public Safety and/or the emergency coordinator.  These policy guidelines and procedures apply to both real emergencies and drills and must be followed by all members of the college University community, including individuals with disabilities.

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Special considerations may need to be made in emergency situations for individuals with disabilities.  How an individual with a disability responds to an emergency depends on the type of emergency, the specific disability, and the location of work, classes, or campus residence.  Ultimately the individual with a disability is responsible for his or her own safety in emergency situations.  It is wise for the individual to plan ahead for emergencies. Pre-planning includes developing an evacuation plan with the Director of DSS and then discussing the specifics of the plan with members of the college University community, including, but not limited to, supervisors, co-workers, faculty, fellow students, residence hall staff, and/or other residents.

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• Persons with documented disabilities are not entitled to receive accommodations that would fundamentally alter the class or activity, or that would excuse performance of the essential components of a class or activity.
• Temporary, non-chronic impairments, medical conditions, illnesses and injuries are not disabilities covered under the terms of this Policy.
• The college University is not obliged to grant specific requested accommodations if other reasonable accommodations may suffice to give the requestor equal opportunity and access.
• Individuals who pose a direct threat to the safety and health of others are not protected under the law or this Policy, and are not entitled to receive accommodations.
• Individuals who are not disabled, but who are regarded as having a disability, are not entitled to accommodations.
• Use of illegal drugs, or misuse of drugs or alcohol is not protected activity, and such activity will not be considered as an accommodation.

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For procedures on filing a complaint of disability discrimination, refer to the Canisius College University Discrimination and Harassment Policy.

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Assistance Animals Policy

Service Animal Policy

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