How to Receive Special Accommodations:

At Cumberland University, the Coordinator of Accessibility Services coordinates Accessibility Services on campus. If a student suspects that they has a disability that is impacting their academic performance, the student will need to provide the Accessibility Services office with a Registration Form and appropriate documentation of that disability from a qualified professional. An appointment should be scheduled with the Coordinator of Accessibility Services in order to review the documentation and determine what academic adjustments may be appropriate. Once the appropriate accommodations have been determined, Academic Accommodation Forms will be completed for the student by the Coordinator of Accessibility Services. 

Cumberland University does not diagnose disabilities. However, students can contact the office for help in obtaining a referral to a qualified professional in our community.

Following the original registration process with the Coordinator of Accessibility Services, it is the responsibility of each student to notify the Coordinator of Accessibility Services at the beginning of each semester that they need Academic Accommodations Forms for classes.

Accommodations for Temporary Disabilities: 

When a student has a temporary disability which impacts their academic performance, the student will need to provide the Coordinator of Accessibility Services with a Registration for Temporary Accommodations form  and  appropriate documentation of that disability from a qualified professional.  An appointment must be scheduled with the Accessibility Services Office in order to review the documentation and determine what academic adjustments may be appropriate. Once the appropriate accommodations have been determined, Academic Accommodation Forms will be completed for the student by the Coordinator of Accessibility Services. 

Before a student may file for academic adjustments, documentation of the disability should be provided. Documentation should be as current as possible and furnished by a qualified professional who is licensed or certified to diagnose the disability in question. An Individualized Education Plan (IEP) from high school is a valuable resource of information as well.  As much information about the disability as possible should be provided, including:

The disability must be a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities. A qualified individual with a disability must satisfy the requisite skill, experience, education, and other program-related requirements and can perform, with or without reasonable adjustments, the essential requirements of such a program.

The student will be asked to sign an Authorization for Release and Exchange of Information Form if they desire contact between the Accessibility Services and their healthcare provider for any reason.

Documentation can be submitted via:

Students who are 18 years old or older are legally recognized as adults. As such, each student is responsible for his or her own accommodation requests and disability-related decisions. However, students are encouraged to have open communication with parents or other significant family members.

Students who have Special Accommodation needs during exams will have quizzes, tests, and exams proctored by faculty members whenever possible.  Faculty members who are unable to meet this need should notify the Coordinator of Accessibility Services as soon as possible during the course of the semester.

If a student expresses concern that the faculty member is unable to meet their Special Accommodation needs in a given class and the faculty member and the student cannot resolve the issue, the faculty member should direct the student to complete a Written Notice of Failure of Accommodation to Meet a Need  form and submit it to the Coordinator of Accessibility Services.  This form should also be submitted by the student if a student and faculty member are unable to satisfactorily meet Special Accommodation needs and would like the student’s quizzes, tests, or exams proctored by Accessibility Services.

When a student or a faculty member requests that Accessibility Services proctor an exam, the Testing Procedures Policy must be followed. Accessibility Services will be unable to provide testing services if the procedures are disregarded. Each student is required to make his/her own arrangements for testing adjustments with the Coordinator of Accessibility Services at least 48 hours prior to the test time. The Test Information and Adjustment Forms must be given to the instructor at least 48 hours prior to the test time. The faculty member is to complete the form and send it, along with the test, to the Coordinator of Accessibility Services at least 24 hours prior to test time. Tests will remain in a securely locked cabinet until the time of the test.

1. 1. Tests will be proctored by Accessibility Services in a quiet, climate controlled room when a faculty member is unable to meet a student’s accommodation needs.  At the beginning of each semester, students will be asked to sign an Accommodation Acknowledgement and Acceptance Form that the testing rooms identified by Accessibility Services that semester meet their needs.
   2. A proctor will be provided for each test. Students taking the tests will not be granted any more time than that determined to be appropriate prior to the test. Students will be expected to comply with the Testing Room Policy on Personal Belongings at all times during the course of the quiz or test.

Proctors will complete a Testing Report during each exam and will submit this along with the exam and the answer sheet to the Coordinator of Accessibility Services.

Students who have Special Accommodation needs during exams will have quizzes, tests, and exams proctored by faculty members whenever possible.  Faculty members who are unable to meet this need should notify the Coordinator of Accessibility Services as soon as possible during the course of the semester.  If a student expresses concern that the faculty member is unable to meet their Special Accommodation needs in a given class and the faculty member and the student cannot resolve the issue, through the interactive process with the Office of Disability Services, the faculty member or the Office of Accessibility Services should direct the student to complete a Written Notice of Failure of Accommodation to Meet a Need and submit it to the Director of Counseling and Accessibility Services.

A complaint that Special Accommodations for a student are not being met must be made in writing, and must provide the name and address of the person making it and a brief description of the alleged violation of ADA regulations.  The complaint should be made using the  Written Notice of Failure of Accommodation to Meet a  Need.

A complaint should be addressed to the Cumberland University Coordinator Accessibility Services, Labry Hall 225, One Cumberland Square, Lebanon, Tennessee 37087. A copy of this complaint will be given to the Designated University Coordinator.

A complaint must be filed within ten (10) business days after the complainant becomes aware of the alleged violation.

An investigation will be conducted. The investigation will include, but not necessarily be limited to, interviews with the complainant and with university personnel in charge of the area in which the alleged violation occurred. All involved parties will be provided an opportunity to submit evidence relevant to the complaint. The investigation will be conducted in a manner which protects any due process right of parties concerned and also ensures that Cumberland University complies with the ADA and its implementing regulations.

When the investigation is complete the student will receive written determination concerning the validity of the complaint and a description of the resolution, if any. This statement will be provided to the complainant no later than ten (10) business days following receipt of the complaint and a copy will be given the Designated University Coordinator.

If the individual is dissatisfied with the outcome of the investigation, an appeal may be made through the Designated University Coordinator at the conclusion of the investigation within five (5) business days of the written determination.  In the event of an appeal, the Designated University Coordinator will review the complaint, the results of the investigation, the written determination, and consult with the complainant in an attempt to resolve any remaining concerns within five (5) business days of receipt of the appeal.  The final appeal rests with the President.

If the nature of the complaint is against the Cumberland University Coordinator of Accessibility Services or the Cumberland University Disability Services Office, the complaint should be filed with the Cumberland University Dean of Students, Labry Hall, One Cumberland Square, Lebanon, Tennessee 37087.

Complaint Resolution Policies and Procedures for Non-Tennessee Resident Students in State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement States, commonly known as SARA.

Student complaints relating to consumer protection laws that involve distance learning education offered under the terms and conditions of the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA), must first be filed with the institution to seek resolution.

Complainants not satisfied with the outcome of the Institution’s internal process may appeal, within two years of the incident about which the complaint is made, to the Tennessee Higher Education Commission (https://www.tn.gov/thec/bureaus/student-aid-and-compliance/postsecondary-state-authorization/request-for-complaint-review.html).

For purposes of this process, a complaint shall be defined as a formal assertion in writing that the terms of SARA or the laws, standards or regulations incorporated by the SARA Policies and Standards (http://www.nc-sara.org/content/sara-manual) have been violated by the institution operating under the terms of SARA.

For a list of SARA member States, please visit the NC-SARA website (http://nc-sara.org/sara-states-institutions). Students residing in non-SARA states should consult their respective State of residence for further instruction for filing a complaint.

Cumberland University is committed to assuring the constitutional and statutory confidentiality protections and the rights of non-disclosure of students with disabilities. Documentation required while verifying a disability is not shared with any person or entity without consultation with and written permission by the student unless prescribed by law.

It is the policy of Cumberland University to call 911 when a student has a seizure.  Students who have a Seizure Disorder and want to register with Disability Services can complete a Seizure Response Plan and submit it to the Coordinator of  Disability Services  to express their wishes regarding the CU response if a seizure occurs on campus; however, CU reserves the right to call 911 when a student has a seizure even when a Seizure Response Plan is registered with Disability Services.

Students who utilize a service animal for assistance on campus must complete a Service Animal Registration Form and submit it to the Coordinator of Accessibility Services to register the animal with Accessibility Services.

The Accessibility Services office and the Residence Life Office seek to ensure consistency in evaluating special housing requests based on disabilities while at the same time carefully exploring each individual situation. A student who seeks special accommodations in housing must register with the Coordinator of Accessibility Services for special accommodations and the student must complete a Residence Life application. To aid this process, requests should include:

1. 1. Documentation of the condition or need that is the basis of the request;
   2. A clear description of the desired housing accommodation
   3. An explanation of how the request relates to the impact of the condition;
   4. Possible alternatives if the recommended accommodation is not reasonable or available.

Documentation consists of an evaluation by an appropriate health care professional that relates the current impact of the condition to the request. Documentation should be typed on official letterhead and signed by the physician or other professional. The documentation should include:

1. 1. The current impact of (or limitations imposed by) the conditions;
   2. Treatments, medications, devices or services currently prescribed or used to minimize the impact of the condition;
   3. The expected duration, stability, or the progression of the condition;
   4. The credentials of the diagnosing professional.

Recommendations from the treating professional may be given consideration in evaluating a request and should:

1. 1. Provide a clear description of the recommended housing accommodations;
   2. Connect the recommended accommodation to the impact of the condition (diagnosis must be clearly stated);
   3. Provide possible alternatives to the recommended accommodation;
   4. Present statement of the level of need for (or the consequences of not receiving) the recommended accommodation.