Disability Policy
POLICIES, PRACTICES, AND PROCEDURES FOR PROCESSING REQUESTS FOR ACADEMIC ACCOMMODATIONS RECEIVED FROM INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES
The Nashville School of Law does not have a comprehensive program oriented wholly towards educating students with disabilities, but strives to be supportive of the academic, personal, and work-related needs of each individual and committed to helping those with disabilities become full participants in the school.
This commitment is consistent with the School’s obligations under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504) and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA).
A. Types of Accommodations
Types of accommodations to be provided to students with disabilities, including those with learning disabilities and with impaired sensory, manual, or speaking skills:
1. Classroom Accommodations
a. Classes may be audio taped.
b. Preferential seating may be provided.
c. Access to an electrical outlet will be provided for the use of a Laptop computer.
d. Such other accommodations as determined reasonable and appropriate to the circumstances, unless such accommodation fundamentally alters the program or would result in an undue burden.
2. Examinations Accommodations
a. Preferential seating may be provided.
b. Access to an electrical outlet will be provided for the use of a Laptop computer to take the test on.
c. Extended time for taking the test.
d. Private space for taking the test may be provided.
e. Such other accommodations as determined reasonable and appropriate to the circumstances, unless such accommodation would fundamentally alter the measurement of the skills or knowledge the examination is intended to test or would result in an undue burden.
B. Student Responsibility
To obtain disability accommodations, it is the responsibility of the student to contact the Associate Dean (615-256-3684) to set up an intake appointment. The student must provide current and appropriate medical or professional documentation.
C. Determination of Appropriate Accommodations
Based on the individual student’s documentation, the Associate Dean will assess the student’s functional limitations and academic needs, and from those, will determine the necessary services and accommodations for which the student is eligible. The Associate Dean will communicate the approved accommodations to the student’s instructors for implementation. After registering for classes each year, students are responsible for scheduling an appointment with the Associate Dean to arrange reasonable accommodations for that year.
D. Required Documentation
Students requesting testing accommodations must submit medical or other diagnostic documentation that:
1. Establishes the existence of a disability;
2. Describes how the student’s functional limitations impact his or her ability to take the examination in question; and
3. Demonstrates the need for the accommodation.
The Documenting Learning Disabilities Guidelines sets forth the type of information Nashville School of Law deems appropriate in order to assess requests for accommodations. The guidelines may be obtained by contacting the Nashville School of Law office at 615-256-3684 or may be downloaded from the schools’ website here: Disabilities Documentation
E. Insufficient Documentation
To insure that student requests for accommodations are handled appropriately and expeditiously:
1. The Associate Dean will communicate with students to help resolve documentation issues in a timely manner, including incomplete documentation and discrepancies in documentation.
2. If the Associate Dean deems the documentation submitted in support of a request for testing accommodations insufficient to establish the individual’s disability, the individual’s functional limitations in relation to taking the exam, or the need for the requested accommodations, the Associate Dean will promptly notify the student in writing that the documentation is insufficient. In addition, the Associate Dean will provide a clear explanation as to why the submitted documentation is deemed insufficient and shall indicate what specific additional information might cure the documentation problem identified by the Associate Dean.
3. If a student cures the defects within a reasonable time frame, the Associate Dean shall consider the application for testing accommodations for the exam and conduct an individualized assessment of the supplemental documentation.
F. Appeal Process
If a request for testing accommodations is denied because the Associate Dean determines that the testing accommodations are not warranted based upon the documentation provided, the Associate Dean will promptly notify the student in writing of such a denial and provide a clear written explanation of why the requested accommodations were denied. The denial letter will inform the student he or she may request reconsideration of the Associate Dean’s decision.
1. If after reconsideration, the Associate Dean determines that the testing accommodation are not warranted based upon the documentation provided, the Associate Dean will promptly notify the student in writing of such a denial and provide a clear written explanation of why the requested accommodations were denied.
2. The denial letter will inform the student he or she may appeal the Associate Dean’s decision to the Dean.
G. Confidentiality
Nashville School of Law protects each student’s right to privacy. All medical and health-related records are kept strictly confidential.