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Policy

Haverford College is committed to providing a liberal arts education in the broadest sense. This education, based on a rich academic curriculum at its core, is distinguished by a commitment to excellence and a concern for individual growth.

The College's rigorous academic program is flexible in its form and content so as to meet the needs of individual students. It is a program, however, which assumes that students will use their capacities fully.

Students with disabilities who meet the College's standards for admission matriculate each year. They perform well academically and lead fulfilling lives in the Haverford community.

Our size plays a role in how we work with students with disabilities. Because of our small numbers, we do not have extensive programs and administrative structures that many large universities have established to serve students with disabilities. At the same time, these numbers allow us to pay attention to each student's unique needs, working closely with that student on a one-on-one basis.

Through our policies and procedures for students with disabilities, we seek to provide them equal access to the resources of the College. We seek to foster the achievement of skills and knowledge which are central to an education in a residential liberal arts college.

We try to be respectful of all dimensions of disability. As part of that process, we encourage the development of intellectual and personal growth which are critical to the successful passage into adulthood.

Procedure

It is the responsibility of the student to inform the College of a disability for which accommodation is required. He or she is expected to provide documentation of the nature and extent of the disability. Although the College does not provide evaluation or testing, a student may request an outside referral for evaluation or testing through our Health Services (for physical or sensory disability) or Counseling and Psychological Services (for a learning or psychological disability).

Some students come to college with a known disability. For others it is only after they arrive that the question of a disability arises. Documentation of a disability requiring accommodations may be provided after a student has been admitted, after a student has matriculated, or at the time of admission, if an applicant requires accommodation to complete the admission process.

Prior to admission, documentation may be sent to the Admission Office and will be provided only to persons on a "need to know" basis. Should acceptance and matriculation then follow, this information will be forwarded by the Admission Office to the Coordinator of Disabilities Services. After admission or matriculation, all documentation should be sent directly to the Coordinator.

The Coordinator will review the findings and where necessary consult with the Director of Health Services, or with other specialists. In some situations additional assessment may be requested to complete the review. Based on the review, the Coordinator will make a recommendation for accommodations to the student's dean.

Accommodations

A. Not directly involving academic requirements

The dean will work with the Coordinator of Disabilities Services and with the student to administer reasonable accommodations which do not directly involve academic requirements, but which relate to a student's access to the classroom and to residential and extracurricular facilities and activities.

Accommodations may include but are not necessarily limited to the relocation of a class or activity to an accessible classroom, the provision of note-takers or interpreters, technological supports in the classroom or residence, and wheelchair accessible transportation between Haverford and its cooperating institutions.

B. Involving academic requirements

The dean will present any recommendations for accommodations which involve academic requirements to an advisory group of the Committee on Student Standing and Programs (CSSP), a standing committee which hears requests for academic flexibility. The advisory group will determine accommodations to academic requirements for an individual student.

The Haverford curriculum emphasizes breadth of education through a system of degree requirements. These requirements are listed in the current College Catalog. Each degree candidate is expected to satisfy such requirements as proficiency in a foreign language, a course in quantitative skills, and another in "freshmen writing."

The College does not waive degree requirements. Instead, we offer reasonable accommodations and support to students with disabilities.

The members of CSSP who comprise the advisory group are the Chairperson, the Secretary, and one student.

The student's dean will work collaboratively with the student's professors around the administration of accommodations to the academic program. Accommodations may include but are not necessarily limited to adjustment of course load, substitution of courses, extended time for the completion of assignments, and special arrangement for the administration of examinations.

Grievances and Appeal

Grievances can be made orally and in writing to the Dean of the College. An appeal of the Dean of the College's review and decision can be made to the President of the College, who will provide a final decision.

If you have any questions or comments about this web page, our policy, or about Disabilities Services, please email ods@haverford.edu or write to:

Coordinator of Disabilities Services, Haverford College, 370 Lancaster Ave. Haverford, PA 19041-1392

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