Americans with Disability Act/Section 504 of The Rehabilitation Act
It is the policy of Goldfarb School of Nursing at Barnes-Jewish College to provide qualified applicants and students who have disabilities with reasonable accommodation based upon relevant law, the School’s educational standards, and sound ethical practice in disability services.
Individuals requesting accommodation should contact Dr. June Cowell-Oates who functions as the Disability Coordinator for the College.
Documentation Guidelines
To begin the process, all students who believe they qualify for accommodations are required to self-identify with the Disability Coordinator and make a formal written request for accommodations. Accommodation requests will be accepted at any time, though students are encouraged to do so as early as possible (even before the term starts) so that accommodations, if granted, can be implemented in a timely manner. Accommodations, once granted, do not apply retroactively; this means they cannot be used to retake an exam or redo an assignment. Once a request has been made, the College will work through the process and make a determination in a reasonable amount of time. Students who do not make a formal request for accommodations will not receive them.
After a request for accommodations has been made, the Disability Coordinator will request documentation from the student to determine if he or she qualifies for accommodations. The amount and type of documentation requested will vary depending on the situation and claimed disability. Certain disabilities that are more obvious in nature (e.g., a student who uses a wheelchair) may require less documentation.
After all requested documentation has been submitted, the request will be evaluated. Accommodation requests will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis, and not all accommodation requests will be granted because the College is not required to accommodate students if granting the accommodation would fundamentally alter the nature of its programs or cause an undue hardship. The College may also make additional requests for documentation to help with its evaluation.
During the evaluation of the request, the student and the Disability Coordinator will work together. If it is determined that an accommodation is reasonable the student and Disability Coordinator will create a detailed action plan specifying the measures that will be implemented and the academic support that will be provided. The student’s instructors will be notified of a student’s accommodations and will be expected to assist in the implementation of the accommodation. Students who have not been granted requested accommodations will receive a letter with an explanation. A student who has been denied accommodations may appeal the determination by giving a written letter of appeal to the Vice Dean for Student Affairs and Diversity. The appeal will be evaluated by the Vice Dean of Student Affairs and Diversity, and the student will be notified of the decision in writing.
The Disability Coordinator is responsible for documenting the process. All documentation will be kept in a confidential file and only the student and the College personnel with a need to know will have access to such information.
Resources for the Diagnosis of Learning Disabilities and/or ADD/ADHD
Resource information is provided by Goldfarb School of Nursing at Barnes-Jewish College as a courtesy and is not inclusive of all qualified testing centers. It is the individual's responsibility to make inquiries regarding diagnostic processes and fees, and to verify information regarding diagnostic sites. The student should check with his or her insurance company to see if diagnostic evaluations are covered by the insurance policy. The College is not responsible for decisions made by third parties on the basis of diagnostic testing completed by any testing site.