Policies

1. The responsibility for requesting or initiating a request for accommodation lies with the student with a disability. Students must register with Accessibility Resources every semester they wish to receive accommodations. Students with off-campus program requirements such as an internship or student teaching placement are encouraged to request accommodations at least one semester prior to the semester they will be participating in the off-campus program.
2. Verification of a disability is required. It is the responsibility of the student with a disability to provide documentation to the designated campus office that supports the request for reasonable accommodation. Visit our Documentation Guidelines (clickable link) website to learn more.
3. Once a student with a disability has requested an accommodation, the Office of Accessibility Resources will have an interactive meeting with the student to determine appropriate, reasonable accommodations. Early consultation is essential to allow adequate time to process the request.

It is the policy of SUNY Oswego to provide reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities on an individualized and flexible basis. Although programs are not required to have all the resources individuals with disabilities may need, they are expected to have the flexibility and capacity to provide reasonable accommodations as needs arise. Final determination as to the appropriateness of an accommodation is evaluated on a case by case basis and rests with SUNY Oswego.

Individuals with documented disabilities (as defined by state and federal regulations), may be eligible for reasonable accommodations. The responsibility for initiating a request for accommodations lies with the individual with a disability. It is the responsibility of every individual making a request for accommodations to provide adequate documentation that supports their request. Submitted documentation must be from an appropriate, qualified professional. In accordance with federal and state regulations disability-related information will be treated in a confidential manner by SUNY Oswego.

In the case of final exam conflicts caused by extended time accommodations, Accessibility Resources will adjust a student's exam schedule as needed to provide required accommodations, following consultation with the faculty member(s) involved.

The adjusted exam schedule will adhere to the following principles:

• A student who receives double time will have four hours for each final exam. A student who receives time and one-half will have three hours for each final exam.
• During final exams, the student has the option of a one-hour break between exams, if they choose to take it.
• The student will not have more than two final exams in one day.
• Final exams will not begin before 8am.
• Common finals take precedence.

The University recognizes that students with disabilities may require the use of a Personal Care Aide (PCA) in order to participate in the university experience. This policy addresses the use of PCAs by qualified students with disabilities. Students who require PCA services must comply with the policies and procedures listed. Hiring a PCA is a reasonable accommodation which must be approved by the Accessibility Resources Office, as outlined in the policy below.

Accessibility Resources will work with the student, the PCA, and any employing agency to ensure understanding of the aide's role and responsibility while on campus, and of the parameters of assistance with regard to the student's academic work. The University does not assume coordination of, financial responsibility for, or legal liability for Personal Care Aides.

Read the full Personal Care Aide policy. 

1. Factors to determine whether a requested accommodation is considered reasonable include:
   a. the individual is "otherwise qualified"
   b. the request does not fundamentally alter the essential elements of a program
   c. the request does not create an undue financial or administrative burden
   d. the request does not create a danger to others
   e. the request is not of a "personal" nature
    
2. Students with disabilities will be expected to meet the academic and technical standards of a course or program with or without reasonable accommodations. The types of accommodations provided to students with disabilities may vary according to the nature of the disability and the physical environment or course content.

SUNY Oswego recognizes the importance of "Service Animals" as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the broader category of "Support Animals" under the Fair Housing Act that provides physical and/or emotional support to individuals with disabilities.

SUNY Oswego is committed to allowing individuals with disabilities the use of a Service Animal on campus to facilitate their full-participation and equal access to SUNY Oswego's programs and activities. SUNY Oswego is also committed to allowing Support Animals necessary to provide individuals with disabilities an equal opportunity to use and enjoy campus housing.

Read the full Service and Support Animals policies.