Academic Accommodations

Every student at La Salle is given equal opportunity for participation in classes, academic activities, programs, and extra-curricular offerings. Students who need accommodations in order to fully partake in these activities must submit medical or psychological certification of an illness or condition. Once the University obtains the student’s completed documentation, we will work with them to make the accommodations.

What is the process for requesting academic accommodations?

La Salle University works with students requesting academic accommodations on a case-by-case basis through an interactive process to determine the appropriate accommodations. Once the process is completed, the academic accommodations will remain in effect throughout the student’s tenure at the university. Additional accommodations can be requested at any time.

Students who would like to request academic accommodations must submit the appropriate documentation certifying an illness or condition. The documentation that should be submitted is listed below and based on the type of illness or condition for which the student is requesting academic accommodations. The documentation should be submitted to:

The Equal Opportunity Compliance Officer and Title IX Coordinator will then review and can also answer any questions related to requesting academic accommodations:

  • Ms. Rose Lee Pauline, Equal Opportunity Compliance Officer and Title IX Coordinator
    Mailing address: 1900 West Olney Avenue, Philadelphia PA, 19141-1199|
    Email: pauline@lasalle.edu

All medical information is 100% confidential. You may be as discrete as you choose, however, we recommend letting your instructors know the nature of your disability and how it impacts learning. In the event that you do not want them to know, then they will only be informed of the accommodations of which they need to be aware.

What happens once my documentation has been sent?

After we obtain complete documentation and eligibility is determined, a letter confirming the accommodations will be sent to the student. Once your academic accommodations have been determined, your instructors will be notified of these accommodations each semester.

When is the deadline to apply for academic accommodations?

There is no deadline; however, it is highly recommended that you send in your request and documentation ASAP as the review process can take several weeks.

The school year has started, and I now recognize a need for academic accommodation. Is it too late to request academic accommodations?

It is not. Academic accommodations may be requested at any time.

What are the requirements of the documentation?

Chronic Health and Physical Conditions

A primary care physician or medical specialist in the area of the specific impairment for which accommodations are being sought must complete a report certifying the illness or condition.  The documentation should reflect the current status of the condition must be typed, dated, signed by the specialist, and submitted on professional letterhead.

 Requirements of the report:

  • Report must include a clear statement of the diagnosis, including related current symptoms and any fluctuating conditions.
  • The report must also contain a clear explanation of how current symptoms cause significant limitations in academic settings and the recommended specific academic accommodations to address the limitations in a higher educational environment. When requested academic accommodations are related to the impact of medications taken for a chronic health condition, the specialist should provide information on the specific functional limitations resulting from the use of the medication and the accommodations that can address the limitations.

Learning Disorder (including a diagnosis of ADD/ADHD)

A licensed specialist should submit a current psychoeducational or neuropsychological evaluation which must be typed, dated, signed by the specialist, and submitted on professional letterhead.  The current and complete psycho-educational evaluation must be less than three years old and include all test scores and results. 

Requirements of the report:

  • The evaluation should include objective testing to demonstrate the presence of current and certified disorders, clear identification of functional impairments related to the disorders, and specific recommendations for specific academic accommodations in a higher educational environment. 
  • The evaluation must have a clear statement of the DSM-V/DSM-V TR diagnosis
  • A recent 504 plan or IEP Plan is helpful but not required. Additionally, the reevaluation section of an IEP Plan that includes some information from a psychoeducation evaluation does not fulfill the certification requirements.  The actual evaluation must be presented.

Psychological Disorder

A medical specialist in the area of the specific impairment for which accommodations are being sought must complete and sign off on a report certifying the psychological disorder.

Requirements of the report:

  • Documentation must be typed, dated, signed by the specialist and submitted on professional letterhead
  • Must have a clear statement of the DSM-V/DSM-V TR diagnosis. It must also describe related current symptoms and any fluctuating conditions.
  • The report must also contain a clear explanation of how current symptoms cause significant limitations in academic settings and recommended specific academic accommodations to address the limitations in a higher educational environment.

Sensory impairment – Hearing

Current documentation from a medical expert with the required expertise to certify a hearing impairment should be presented at least eight weeks before the start of the semester. The documentation should be on the specialist’s letterhead and signed by the specialist.  The documentation should include the diagnosis, array of symptoms and functional limitations.  The impact of any mitigation measures, such as hearing aids, is helpful in understanding the lowest level of functioning. A clear explanation of how the symptoms currently cause significant limitations for the individual, within the academic environment at the postsecondary level and the specific requested accommodations.  A summary of the assessment, including the procedures and test results, is helpful additional supporting information.

Sensory impairment – Vision

Current documentation from a medical expert, either an ophthalmologist or optometrist, with the required expertise to certify a vision impairment should be presented at least eight weeks before the start of the semester.  The documentation should be typed and on the specialist’s letterhead and signed by the specialist.  The documentation should include the diagnosis, array of symptoms and functional limitations.  The impact of any mitigation measures, such as eyeglasses, is helpful in understanding the lowest level of functioning.  A summary of the assessment, including the procedures and test results, is helpful additional supporting information.  Documentation must contain information pertaining to the individual’s current level of functioning.  A clear explanation of how the symptoms currently cause significant limitations for the individual, within the academic environment at the postsecondary level and the requested specific accommodations.

Additional information to include in a certification for use of a Service Animal

For use of a service animal, the certification must include what symptoms are experienced and what tasks the service animal performs in the classroom that would benefit the student. The work or task a dog has been trained to provide must be directly related to the person’s disability. Dogs whose sole function is to provide comfort or emotional support do not qualify as service animals under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.