Western State College of Colorado

DISABILITY SERVICES HANDBOOK 2008 - 2009

Accommodation Procedures: Course Substitution Policy

Western recognizes that as a result of disability, some students may be unable to satisfy specific course work requirements for degree completion. Therefore, qualified students with disabilities may request that appropriate course substitutions be considered.

The Disability Services staff, in conjunction with Registration Services and appropriate College staff and academic departments, will review such requests on a case-by-case basis to determine eligibility and to reasonably accommodate qualified students with alternative course work that will satisfactorily fulfill the appropriate degree requirement.

Students should follow the steps below to request a course substitution:

• Complete a “Disability Services: Request for Course Substitution Form.”

• Provide Disability Services with complete, current documentation of disability. The documentation must include verification of disability, evidence of a disability-related need for the substitution, and justification for regarding the request as reasonable. Disability documentation guidelines are available from the Disability Services office.

• Provide Disability Services with a history of any previous attempts to complete the course work in question, including high school and/or college transcripts.

• Meet with the Director of Disability Services to discuss the request and review the documentation.

• Sign a release allowing Disability Services to consult with appropriate College staff and academic departments regarding the course substitution request.

Note: It is the student’s responsibility to meet with his/her advisor(s) to determine the impact of a course substitution on his/her program of study. The substitution should not substantially alter an essential element of the student’s program of study, including requirements for majors/minors.

Once Disability Services has received the student’s request, the following action will be taken:

• Disability Services will review the student’s request. The office of Registration Services and appropriate College staff and academic departments may be consulted.

• Disability Services will provide to Registration Services, in writing, notification of the student’s request, verification of disability, and recommendations regarding the request.

• The office of Registration Services will contact the student, in writing, notifying the student of the decision to grant or deny the request. Copies of the written notification will be retained in the offices of Registration Services and Disability Services.

• If the student’s request for a course substitution is denied, the student may request a review by the office of Academic Affairs or follow appropriate procedures for filing a complaint based on disability.

Links to Accommodation Procedures:

• Alternative Formats of Text
• Alternative Testing
• Course Substitution
• Interpreter Services
• Notetaking Services
• Priority Registration
• Service Animals

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