Eligibility

To be eligible for disability services, students are responsible for identifying themselves and disclosing information about the disability to the Director of Student Services no later than the first two weeks of the semester. Students are also responsible for supplying written documentation of the disabling condition.

Each student who requests accommodations must meet with the Student Services staff member to discuss his/her individual needs. A variety of services for the student include:

• Creation of accommodation memo for faculty.
• Assistance with obtaining accommodations on campus.
• Guidance and counseling related to coursework and career options, which take into account the impact of the disability.
• Referral to community agencies for assistance with disability-related needs not directly associated with Fairfax University of America.

Accommodation Request Process

1. Students must have a physical or mental impairment that significantly impacts a major life activity.
2. Students must complete a Request for Student Accommodation Services Request Form.
   • Request for Student Accommodation Services Request Form
3. Students must submit documentation of their disability to the Student Services Department.
4. Documentation must meet either the General Documentation Guidelines or the Learning Disability Documentation Guidelines.
5. Students must meet with the staff member of Student Services to discuss accommodations, review submitted information and complete the Request for Accommodations Form.
   • Request for Accommodations Forms
6. Students must meet with each of their professors to review the Academic Accommodation Memorandum by the second week of classes. Students must also obtain the signature of each of their professors and return the form to the Student Services Department with all signatures (Student Services Department, Student Signature and Faculty Signature) before the second week of classes is over.
7. All information submitted to the Student Services Department related to a disability-related request is confidential. Office personnel do not discuss disability-related information or accommodation needs without the student’s expressed, written permission using the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) form.
8. Students are encouraged to meet with the staff member of the Student Services Department frequently to assess the progress of their studies and to discuss the effectiveness of accommodations.
9. Steps 4-7 must be repeated EACH SEMESTER.

Leniency Process Guidelines

The Leniency Process is used when a student experiences a short-term but significant health issue and wants an instructor to allow extra time on assignment deadlines.

In some cases, the staff member of the Student Affairs Department can request Leniency for a student on a case-by-case basis.

1. All medical documentation for why the Leniency Process needs to be put into place needs to be e-mailed to or hand delivered to the designated staff member of Student Services so the information can be kept confidential.
2. The Student Services Department will verify the receipt and authenticity of the medical documentation. The documentation must meet the following guidelines:

• The information provided must clearly document a medical or physical condition.
• Documentation must be current, within the last 30 days.
• The written report must include a specific diagnosis with clear evidence and identification of disability.
• Documentation from a family member or friend will not considered appropriate documentation.
• Documentation should include the accommodations that are recommended and for how long the accommodations are necessary.

1. Once the Student Services Department has received and verified the medical documentation, the Student Services Department will meet with the student to discuss what work needs either to be made up or request for an extension on upcoming assignments.
2. The Student Services Department will complete the Leniency Memo and sign the documents. The student will also need to sign the document.
3. The student will meet with each of his/her professors and discuss the temporary accommodations that will be put into place and have the professors sign the Leniency Memo.
4. Student will return the Leniency Memo to the Student Services Department once all signatures are obtained.

Student is encouraged to reach out to the Student Services Department if he/she has any questions/concerns.