Lynch Disability Resource & Cultural Center

Accommodation Services

Students may be uncertain about whether they qualify for or need academic Accommodations. Accommodations are provided through the Lynch Disability Resource & Cultural Center and are available at no additional cost to students with documented disabilities.

ACCOMMODATION SERVICES INCLUDE:

  • Extended-time testing
  • Testing in a distraction- reduced environment
  • Texts in alternative formats
  • Preferential seating
  • Assistive technology (including text to speech reading software)

    Procedure for Requesting Accommodation Services

    The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) defines a disability as a substantial limitation of a major life function. Students requesting academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids from the Lynch Disability Resource & Cultural Center at Loras College are required to submit the documentation of their disability to verify eligibility under ADA, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.

    Students are encouraged you to:

    • Ask questions about your eligibility for services before you encounter difficulties.
    • Get updated or first-time diagnostic testing before you come to college.

    To request services and/or reasonable accommodations follow these steps:

    1. Schedule or arrange for an updated or first-time diagnostic testing before classes begin in August.
    2. Contact us to schedule a campus visit and request to meet with an Academic Counselor.
    3. Apply and be accepted to Loras College loras.edu/apply.
    4. Send copies of current (within 3 years) documentation of disability to the Lynch Disability Resource & Cultural Center after acceptance to Loras and before the start of classes. In order to fully evaluate requests for accommodations or auxiliary aids, we will need official documentation of the disability by an appropriate medical/mental health professional .
    5. Complete and submit an Accommodations Intake and Release of Information Form.

          Recommendations from professionals with a history of working with the individual provide valuable information for the review process. They will be included in the evaluation of requests for accommodations and/or auxiliary aids. Where such recommendations are congruent with the programs, services, and benefits offered by Loras College they will be given deference. When recommendations go beyond services and benefits that can be provided by Loras, they may be used to suggest potential referrals to area service providers outside the college.

          Information relating to the disability is not part of the academic record and will not be sent with a transcript request. Consequently, individuals transferring from another college must request that the history of their accommodations and a copy of their documentation be sent from the transferring college’s disability office to the Lynch Disability Resource & Cultural Center for review.

          Review Process

          The review process includes an examination of the presented documentation to determine the functional limitation resulting from the disability and how that limitation impacts the goals and standards of the program or course.

          Provisional accommodations may be offered in the interim, usually one semester, but a final determination of accommodations will not be made until the student’s documentation is complete.

          The following guidelines were developed to assist students in obtaining the information needed to evaluate their accommodation request. Questions may be addressed to the Lynch Learning Center at 563.588.7134.

          IEP, 504 Plans & Vocational Rehabilitation Services

          For high school students who received or are currently receiving special education services, the information requested may or may not be contained in IEPs, 504 plans, assessment reports, or in the high school records. Seldom would IEPs or 504 plans contain all the information necessary to determine eligibility or need. Because this information is not part of the general academic record, students must specifically request this information from their high school.

          Individuals receiving vocational rehabilitation services may have the necessary information contained in the eligibility evaluation and/or their vocational plan.

          Myths & Misconceptions

          The Lynch Disability Resource & Cultural Centers’ professional hear a variety of reasons why students did not seek services until after they experienced academic difficulties. Please contact us if you have any of the following misconceptions or feel like you may not qualify. Our accommodation services are free of charge for most documented disabilities.

          • I received services when I was in (elementary school, middle school, high school), but I stopped receiving support in (elementary school, middle school, high school), and I didn’t think I was eligible for services in college.
          • I “grew out” of my learning disability, AD/HD, etc., and thought I no longer needed services.
          • I was diagnosed, but I never received services, so I didn’t think I needed them in college.
          • I have a disability, but I wanted to try college work “on my own” without support.
          • I am embarrassed about requesting services because my (peers, professors) might think I’m not competent.
          • I have always thought that I had a disability, but I’ve never been diagnosed.

          Questions? Let’s get in touch.

          If you have any questions about the levels of service, documentation requirements, or the application process for the Enhanced Program, please reach out to the phone number or email address below so our amazing staff may assist you.

          Lynch Disability Resource & Cultural Center
          lynch.learningcenter@loras.edu
          (563)588-7134