Accessibility Services
Whether you’re a prospective student planning your path to success at Bushnell University, a current student seeking accommodations, or a faculty or staff member supporting students, Accessibility Services is your partner. Our mission is to advocate for and facilitate equal access to educational opportunities for students with qualified disabilities or conditions, ensuring every member of our community can thrive.
Accessibility Services
Whether you’re a prospective student planning your path to success at Bushnell University, a current student seeking accommodations, or a faculty or staff member supporting students, Accessibility Services is your partner. Our mission is to advocate for and facilitate equal access to educational opportunities for students with qualified disabilities or conditions, ensuring every member of our community can thrive.
Bushnell Accessibility RESOURCES
General Overview
Disability is defined by the ADA as “a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more of the major life activities, a record of such an impairment or being regarded as having such an impairment.”
In addition, specific medical conditions may qualify under the definition of disability for the purpose of receiving academic accommodations.
- You must register with Accessibility Services by completing the Accessibility Services Request Form and supply appropriate documentation outlining the nature of the disability or condition and recommendations for academic accommodation. You may use the Release of Documentation Form to obtain appropriate documentation.
- In an on-going interactive, collaborative process, you will work with an Accessibility Coordinator to determine the reasonable academic accommodations for which you are eligible, how and when they will be provided, and who is responsible for providing them.
- An Accessibility Coordinator compiles the approved academic accommodations into a Notice of Accommodation (NOA) and distributes it electronically to your instructors each semester.
- You are encouraged to discuss the accommodations that pertain to each course with that instructor.
- If you need to make changes or adjustments, you must contact an Accessibility Coordinator.
In order to request accommodations for a documented disability or condition, please contact Accessibility Services.
Accessibility Services FAQS
What Is Accessibility Services?
Accessibility Services advocates for and facilitates equal access to educational opportunities for students with qualified disabilities or conditions. We partner with you to reduce barriers in the academic setting and coordinate academic accommodations to ensure access.
What Is “a Qualified Disability?”
A qualified disability is “a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more of the major life activities.” Disabilities include physical and mental impairments, which may include but are not limited to vision, hearing, mobility, learning systemic, psychiatric, and brain injury. Specific medical conditions may qualify under this definition for the purpose of receiving academic accommodations.
How Would I Know If I Have a Qualified Disability?
A qualified disability is one that has been documented by a trained and/or licensed professional. If you think that you might have a qualified disability, please contact Accessibility Services. Referrals can be made to appropriate professionals to assess for disabilities.
What Is the Purpose of Documentation?
Documentation is used for the purpose of determining reasonable accommodations; it must establish the disability and provide adequate information on the limitations resulting from the disability so that effective accommodations can be identified.
How Do I arrange for Reasonable Accommodations?
Contact Accessibility Services. The determination of accommodations is an interactive and on-going process. The designated Accessibility Coordinator will guide you through the process and help you coordinate accommodations with your professors. The University will make every effort to incorporate your suggestions when considering an appropriate accommodation, but the University may not necessarily implement the first-choice accommodation.
What If I Have a Physical Disability and My Class Is Scheduled on the Floor of a Building Without an Elevator?
Certain buildings on campus are not currently ADA compliant, but the University is committed to making education accessible to all students. Therefore, if you have a documented physical disability or condition that hinders you from navigating stairs, contact Accessibility Services. You may be asked to provide a doctor’s note explaining your condition. Classroom changes for accessibility issues are processed through Accessibility Services.
Where Is the Accessibility Services Office?
The Accessibility Services office is located in the Pomajevich Hall (1090 Alder St., Eugene, OR 97401). Please check in at the front desk.
How Do I Contact Accessibility Services?
You can call 541-684-7282 and request to speak with the accessibility coordinator, or you can send an email by filling out this contact form.
Grievance Procedures
Appeal Process Regarding Accommodation Denial
- The student should put in writing the reason for the appeal and include any additional information regarding a disability-related need/impact for the accommodation. Please send an email to accessibilityservices@bushnell.edu.
- The student should call (541) 684-7282 to request an appointment with the Accessibility Coordinator or delegate to discuss the appeal.
- During the discussion with the Accessibility Coordinator or delegate, the student should be prepared to explain why the denied accommodation is needed to address the current impacts of their disability at Bushnell. Having received an accommodation from a previous institution or in the K-12 system is not in itself a sufficient explanation.
- The Accessibility Coordinator or delegate will make a decision regarding the student’s appeal within seven (7) business days. The Accessibility Coordinator or delegate’s decision will be in writing and will be sent to the student’s Bushnell email. If through the appeal process, the accommodation is granted, it will be granted moving forward; accommodations are not retroactive.
Contact Information
Important phone numbers and points of contact regarding the Americans with Disabilities Act:
Accessibility Coordinator
Bushnell University
828 E. 11th Ave.
Eugene, OR 97401
(541) 684-7282
Office for Civil Rights
U.S. Department of Education
Jackson Federal Building
915 Second Ave., Rm 3310
Seattle, WA 98174
(202) 222-7900
U.S. Department of Justice
Washington D.C. 20210
(202) 220-5300
Accessibility Services Handbook (PDF)
Prospective and First-Year Students
Differences in accessibility for K-12 school and college/university
Welcome to Accessibility Services! Accessibility services are for students that have a disability as defined by the ADA. As you transition to college, it is important to know and understand the differences between services you may have been provided in high school compared to services that will be provided at the college level. The Accessibility Services Handbook provides a detailed explanation of policies and procedures at Bushnell University. Below is a summary of some of the differences between K-12 and college.
Laws
In K-12 education IDEA and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act were some of the laws that applied to accommodations and services you may have received. In college the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the ADA Amendment Act, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act are some of the laws that apply to the accommodations you may receive.
Required Documentation
Individualized Education Plans (IEP) and 504 plans are common forms of documentation used in K-12 schools. Colleges require different types of documentation and often do not accept an IEP or 504 plan as a form of documentation. Documentation must provide information on specific functional limitations of a disability and demonstrate the need for specific accommodations. This documentation needs to come from a provider who has the correct credentials to provide the diagnosis. Any evaluations must be paid for at the student’s expense. Colleges do not provide evaluations for students.
Student Role
In K-12 schools, teachers and parents are responsible for communicating and meeting a student’s needs. In college the students must start communicating their needs on their own. When a student begins taking college courses it becomes their responsibility to advocate for themselves. This means that the student will request accommodations and provide proper documentation to the Accessibility Coordinator. Students will work with the Accessibility Coordinator every semester to make sure that their accommodations are in place for the current semester.
Next Steps
Detailed information on the procedures for requesting academic accommodations can be found in the Accessibility Services Handbook. Below is a short summary of procedures for new students.
- Fill out an Academic Accommodations Request Form 2-6 weeks before classes start or as soon as possible. There are two ways to fill out and return this form. The easiest way is to fill out an electronic Academic Accommodation Request Form. This can be found on the my.bushnell.edu website. If this is not possible a student can print and fill out the Accommodations Request Form. This form can then be turned in to the Accessibility Services Mailbox #34 in Pomajevich Hall or scanned and emailed to mandersen@bushnell.edu
- The Accessibility Coordinator will request that the individual turn in documentation of their disability as defined by the ADA.
Documentation must include:
- Clearly stated diagnosis (DSMV or ICD Code included).
- Date of onset and treatment.
- The functional limitation in the higher education setting is clearly described.
- The evaluators’ professional credentials are included and appropriate for the diagnosis.
- Upon receiving a request for academic accommodations, the Accessibility Coordinator will request to set up a time to meet with the student.
During this meeting, the accessibility coordinator will:
- Request any needed documentation
- Get to know the student
- Engage in the interactive process to help the students access course materials.
Academic Services Resources
career development
Tutoring
assessments
transcript request
academic calendars
library
Have QUESTIONS?
Melissa Andersen