Current Students: Disabled Student Services

Federal law prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability. Its implementing regulations require colleges to ensure that qualified individuals cannot be excluded from participation in campus programs and activities solely because of their disability.

In keeping with the central tenet of its mission—commitment to service—Life Chiropractic College West is dedicated to the full access and inclusion of all students in its program. Recognizing that the chiropractic profession will benefit from the skills and talents of persons with differing abilities, and in compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (504) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, the College's Academic Counselor coordinates services for students with documented disabilities.

At the postsecondary level, it is the student's responsibility to make his or her disabling condition known to the College and to assist in identifying appropriate and effective academic adjustments, also referred to as accommodations. This should be done in a timely manner, i.e., upon enrollment or registration for classes.

Requesting Accommodations

• Speak to the Academic Counselor – to present current documentation of a substantiated disability or discuss a suspected disability and request a referral for an appropriate evaluation.

• Contact former or prospective diagnostician – to update or clarify disability documentation if necessary or, for students with suspected disabilities, to arrange for an evaluation.

• Provisional Accommodations – are temporary accommodations granted to students who have a known or suspected disability, and are either completing the evaluation process and/or awaiting documentation. Provisional accommodations are effective for one term, but may be extended on a case-by-case basis, to no longer than six months.

• Eligibility – is based on the Academic Counselor's review and acceptance of the student's disability documentation. Upon acceptance, the Academic Counselor in conjunction with the student formulates recommendations for accommodations to the Dean of the College. Upon approval, the Dean issues an approved accommodations letter to the student and notifies the Student Services Department who facilitates certain provisions such as "Special Testing."

• Instructor Contact – is required by all students with disabilities in order ensure effective communication around the provision of accommodations. Students must present their letter of approved accommodations to instructors immediately upon receipt. Other rules apply. See the Academic Counselor.

Accommodations that may be available to students with supporting documentation include, but are not limited to:

• Quiet, distraction-reduced environment for tests (aka Special Testing; see photos)
• Reader or scribe for tests
• Altered test format (e.g., enlarged)
• Recording answers on computer or tape recorder
• Scantrons completed by proctor
• Preferred classroom seating

Appointments

The College's Academic Counselor and 504/ADA Coordinator facilitates disabled student services during the hours of 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Monday-Friday. Appointments can be made through the Dean's Office in Room 105 or by contacting the Academic Counselor directly at (800) 788-4476 x-2061, (510) 780-4500 x-2061, or by e-mail at lpino@lifewest.edu.