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Office Hours:
Monday - Thursday
7:30am - 5:00pm
Friday
7:30am - 11:30am
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Special Needs
The University of Louisiana at Monroe strives to serve students with special needs through compliance with Sections 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act. These laws mandate that postsecondary institution's provide equal access to programs and services for students with disabilities without creating changes to the essential elements of the curriculum. While students with special needs are expected to meet our institution's academic standards, they are given the opportunity to fulfill learner outcomes in alternative ways. Examples of accommodations may include, but are not limited to, testing accommodations (oral testing, extended time for exams), interpreters, relocation of inaccessible classrooms, permission to audiotape lectures, note-taking assistance, and course substitutions.
The Counseling Center acts as the point of entry for individuals who have documented learning disabilities and psychological or physical special needs.
The accommdation decisions are addressed on an individual basis. The Counseling Center Director, in conjunction with the student, evaluates the effects of the student's disability in relation to the curriculum and academic standards. During this process, faculty and other campus representatives may be consulted to review the academic environment and its relationship to the student. After reasonable and appropriate accommodations are determined, students are required to complete a Special Needs Accommodation Form. This form authorizes a release of disability information supplied by the student. The faculty members who will be teaching the special need student will be notified in writing of the suggested and requested classroom accommodations for that specific student with the special needs. The documentation and accommodation letters are
retained in the student's file with the Counseling Center so that the student can return at the beginning of each semester to complete a Special Needs Accommodation Form which is pertinent to that particular semester's coursework.
Accommodations do NOT apply retroactively. If the student neglects to request accommodations from his or her instructors, those instructors are under no obligation to retroactively correct for this. Accommodations apply to present and future, not past, events.
Testing Accomodations and Procedures
Student Responsibilities
Before Classes Begin
- Once class schedules are final, the student must report to the Counseling Center and complete the Special Needs Accommodation Form. This should be done no later than the last day to add classes.
- Students requesting books on tape, contact the Counseling Center as soon as a final schedule is made.
- For students needing classes relocated to an accessible site, notify the Counseling Center as soon as possible so there is ample time to make these arrangements.
The First Day of Class
- Arrive early to secure the best possible seating.
- For students using interpretors, save them a seat.
- For students using special equipment, arrive early to work with the instructor so that class time will not be taken up.
- Get copies of syllabus, outlines, required text, and the instructor's office location and hours. Organize each class syllabus, outlines, notes, and calendar in a notebook.
- For students coordinating their own note-taking services, secure a note taker and arrange to get notes. If a note taker cannot be found, contact the Counseling Center.
- Provide note-taker with carbonless (NCR) paper, if needed. This paper is available at no charge through the Counseling Center.
- The student should identify themselves to the instructor, before or after class, or during office hours, and explain that the Counseling Center will be writing a letter identifying their special needs.
After Last Day to Add Classes
- At this point, the Counseling Center should be in receipt of your Special Needs Accommodation Form so that Accommodation Letters can be written. Students can either have these letters mailed to their professors or they may pick up the letters and deliver them on their own.
- Discuss accommodation(s) with the professor. If he/she cannot provide the accommodation(s) needed, please contact the Counseling Center for further instructions or if there are questions as to what procedures need to be followed.
During the Semester
- Keep the Counseling Center informed of dates for exams or major projects if requesting special assistance (i.e. interpreting / reading / special testing / out of class assignments) from the Counseling Center. Remember, the tests must be scheduled with the Counseling Center at least three (3) days before the test date.
- Make appointments to talk to professors to monitor notes and progress. Do this at least once before an exam and again after the exam.
- If special need related problems arise, please report them to the Counseling Center as soon as possible!
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Special Needs Parking
An application for Mobility Impaired Parking Permit and a memo, which are to be presented to the attending physician, can be obtained from the University Police Department or they can be downloaded from the ULM Police Website.
Students must have their physician read the memo carefully and complete and sign the application which verified their disability. The student must then present the completed form to the University Police Department for approval. The UPD will provide students with a decal which designates the length of time they are eligible to receive mobility impaired parking.
Students with temporary injuries who apply for mobility impaired parking will be assigned parking privileges for the anticipated length of recovery. Re-application for the permit is necessary if the condition persists beyond 90 days.
For any impairment that is considered permanent by your physician, recertification must be done each Fall for the academic year.
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Elevator Access
Students with special needs who require the use of an elevator can have their student identification cards activated by the Counseling Center. In order to receive this service, students will be required to present documentation validating their disability, whether permanent or temporary. Students whose documentation must require more extensive verification may refer to the Grievance and Appeal Procedure listed below.
Please note that students with physical challenges whose class is scheduled to take place in an inaccessible location may contact the Counseling Center to request a setting that accommodates their special needs.
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Grievance and Appeal Procedures
Any student who disagrees with the academic accommodation(s) that have been determined should first speak to the Counseling Center Director. The student should express his/her concerns and be prepared to offer alternative solutions. If, after consulting with the Director, there still is not satisfaction on the part of the student regarding the proposed accommodation(s) or the provision of the accommodation(s), the student should speak with the Associate Dean for Student Affairs. If the student still is not satisfied with the proposed or provided accommodation(s), the student may file a formal grievance with the Chair of the Council on Students with Special Needs. The Counseling Center will assist with this process. The Chair, with assistance of the Disability Determination Subcommittee of the Council, will evaluate the eligibility of the student to receive the requested accommodations. Upon validation of the student's request, the Chair will notify the Counseling Center professional in writing of the decision.
For questions and concerns about disability procedures and other disability issues, contact the ULM Counseling Center:
Phone: 318-342-5220 Fax: 318-342-5228
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