I. Introduction

A. It is the policy of Northwest Nazarene University (NNU) that no qualified persons with disabilities shall, on the basis of disability, be excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of, or otherwise be subjected to discrimination under any of its programs or activities. Any qualified student who has a physical or mental impairment which substantially limits one or more major life activity, such as walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing, learning and/or working, can receive assistance at NNU as provided in Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the applicable provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and the ADA Amendments Act of 2008. The Director for the Center for Academic Success & Advising (CASA) serves as the campus contact for disability related needs of students (CASA Director, 208-467-8780).

B. A qualified student is defined as one who, with or without reasonable accommodation, meets the requisite academic and technical standards required for admission or participation in educational programs and activities.

C. NNU adheres to Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the applicable provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and the ADA Amendments Act of 2008 to provide requested auxiliary aids, services, and support for students with disabilities as specified by those legal mandates where necessary to afford such students an equal opportunity to participate in and enjoy the benefits of its programs and services. The university encourages students with disabilities or their parents to contact the Financial Aid office (208-467-8638) if special arrangements are needed in regard to financial aid advising. If special housing arrangements are needed, students with disabilities or their parents may contact the Director of Residential Life (208-467-8663) to ensure housing arrangements are appropriately made.

D. The CASA Director makes available reasonable accommodations to students who submit appropriate documentation related to disabilities. This documentation is placed on file in Disability Services where professional standards of confidentiality are maintained. Disability Services attempts to ensure, through the implementation of accommodations, that discrimination on the basis of disability does not occur within any campus of NNU.

E. It is the responsibility of all faculty, staff, administrators, Disability Services personnel, and students with disabilities to follow these stated policies and procedures in order to ensure that services are provided in the most effective manner possible.

F. Inquiries concerning Disability Services for prospective students may be emailed, mailed, or called in to CASA, in care of Assistant Professor Heidi Tracht, Director of CASA (208-467-8780, htracht@nnu.edu, or disabilityservices@nnu.edu). Students must self-identify for receipt of information or services from Disability Services. The Center for Academic Success & Advising is located in the Leah Peterson Learning Commons, Suite 110.

II. Documentation of Disability

A. NNU makes no pre-admission inquiries as to whether a prospective student is disabled nor makes admission decisions on the basis of disability or lack thereof. Accordingly, no documentation relating to disability should be submitted until after a student has been admitted. Following admission, in order to be eligible for Disability Services, a student must submit to Disability Services qualifying documentation of disability and contact Disability Services to complete the respective NNU forms that apply to a student's particular accommodations.

B. A student's documentation that verifies the existence of a disability must be submitted from a qualified professional and should include the date(s) of the evaluation, the diagnosis, reference to the types of evaluation procedures utilized and the evaluation results/scores (as appropriate), and limitations of student functioning (especially as related to the higher education environment). Recommendations and rationale for accommodations are helpful in assisting institutional personnel to determine appropriate and necessary support.

C. The documentation should be current, giving an accurate picture of how the disability impacts the student at this point in time. Updates should be provided (as appropriate) during a student’s enrollment at NNU.

D. The documentation must be written by a professional who is licensed or credentialed to make the particular diagnosis (such as a physician, psychiatrist, or psychologist) and this professional must provide the written information designated above.

E. Confidentiality of documentation files is strictly maintained in Disability Services. Access to files is available only to personnel in Disability Services who directly provide services. When the Admissions office, non-traditional programs, and graduate offices receive any documentation of disability, the documentation is sent directly to the Disability Services office. All information regarding disability that is provided for purposes of triggering support/accommodation is to be held exclusively in the Disability Services office.

III. NNU Assignment of Accommodation Form

A. Once Disability Services has received the documentation, the Accommodations Review Committee completes the assignment of accommodation with consideration given to recommendations for reasonable accommodations made by the professional who evaluated the student.

B. The reasonable accommodations that are provided to the student by NNU will be maintained within Disability Services. The office personnel work together with the student to make arrangements for accommodations to be implemented in each course for each semester in a manner that enables the student to satisfactorily complete the course objectives.

C. Institutional commitment for services provided by NNU will be outlined in the assignment of accommodation. In that Disability Services authorizes the institutional commitment for specific accommodations assigned to each individual student with a disability, any department or office at NNU who interacts with a student with a disability concerning disabilities must consult with the Director of CASA on issues related to institutional commitment for accommodations for each student.

D. Students are notified when the documentation arrives in Disability Services. Current students whose documentation arrives during a semester are encouraged to contact Disability Services to complete applicable forms subsequent to the arrival. Incoming students and returning clients are encouraged to complete the respective forms within a week of classes beginning each semester.

IV. Types of Reasonable Accommodations Provided

A. Textbooks in an Alternate Format - Students who have documented needs for auditory access of textbook material may have textbooks provided in an alternate format. After the documentation arrives, students are encouraged to complete the appropriate forms at least three weeks before the semester begins in order to ensure access of this service in a timely fashion. The Alternate Textbooks forms describe the process and policies for effective access to this accommodation in detail. Priority will be established based upon the earliest receipt of documentation and returned forms.

B. Student Note Taker in Class - Students who have documented needs for assistance with hand written notes in class may receive notes that are taken by another student in class. There are forms that the student with a disability completes, preferably within the first week of classes, in order to access this service. These forms inform the professor of the service that is being provided, and specifies the process for the reproduction of the notes. Enlarged notes can be provided.

C. Alternative Testing - Students who have documented needs for extended time on tests, rest breaks, oral testing, or testing in a low-distraction environment may have tests administered in an alternate location selected by the professor or in the Disability Services office. There are forms that are used to access this service, which specify the process and policies in detail. One of the forms is designed to inform professors of the process as well. Students are encouraged to start the process of completing the forms within the first week of classes in order to coordinate the process in a timely fashion with professors' schedules.

D. Tutoring - Academic tutoring is a service that is available to all students on the main campus in traditional undergraduate programs, as well as students in NNU Online, who desire assistance with study skills, time management, or some general education courses. Tutors are student employees hired by CASA who are trained to assist peers academically. Students make appointments with tutors online, by phone, or in person. Students with disabilities are encouraged to make use of this resource. Students in the nontraditional and graduate programs should follow the procedures for this type of assistance as outlined by those programs.

E. Supplemental Instruction (SI) - SI is provided for all students enrolled in the courses with SI attached in the traditional undergraduate programs. An SI Leader is a student employee hired by CASA who has excelled in the designated course previously. The SI Leader holds group study sessions for specific courses. Students with disabilities are encouraged to attend any SI sessions available.

F. Other Accommodations - The list above represents the typical types of academic accommodations that are available to students at NNU. The reasonable accommodations that are not listed above are addressed on an individualized basis. NNU cannot provide attendants, individually prescribed devices, readers for personal use or study, or other devices or servers of a personal nature.

V. Self-Advocacy and Accessing Services

A. Self-Advocacy is an important aspect of Disability Services in higher education. In grade school and high school, services are typically provided with minimal student self-advocacy. In higher education, students must request the reasonable accommodations provided in the assignment of accommodation.

B. It is the student's responsibility to provide the Disability Services office with appropriate documentation, to identify the services that he/she desires that are provided in the assignment of accommodation, and to request these services personally each semester. A student makes an official request when the designated forms are filled out for standard accommodations or a written request is approved for individualized accommodations that are not standardized.

C. When new documentation is submitted to Disability Services, the student is informed of its arrival. The student is encouraged to contact Disability Services to discuss the contents of the documentation, the arrangements to be made for each course, and the processes for accessing the reasonable accommodations that are recommended.

D. It is the student's responsibility to communicate with each of his/her professors concerning disability related issues in the respective courses, preferably prior to the beginning of each semester. Forms are provided by Disability Services that verify a disability and that assist in this communication process with professors for the designated accommodations. Disability Services employees are available to assist professors and students with disabilities when unusual situations arise.

E. Students who suspect that they have an undiagnosed disability may consult with the Director of CASA for recommendations of qualified professional evaluators.

F. Professors are not obligated to provide accommodations for a student if the student does not follow the appropriate steps for receiving accommodations.

VI. Course Substitution Requests

A. A qualified student for admission to an NNU major, minor, or program of study is defined as one who, with or without reasonable accommodation, meets the requisite academic and technical standards required for admission or participation in a post-secondary institution program and activities.

B. If a student with a disability (1) encounters a course that has objectives that he/she is unable to meet due to disability, even with reasonable accommodations, and (2) has substantial evidence that the same objectives of a major, minor, or program of study can be satisfied by an alternate course, then the student may make a course substitution request to Disability Services.

C. A student may make a course substitution request by submitting the following information in writing: (1) the documentation relevant to the request demonstrating the disability-related need for the substitution, (2) justification for regarding the request as reasonable, and (3) supporting evidence that the same objective of a major, minor, or program of study can be satisfied by an alternate course.

D. The Director of CASA coordinates a collaborative process with the student, the chair of the department of the student, and the chair of the department that offers the course (if different from the student's departmental chair) to determine if the course substitution substantially alters the program of study. After a deliberation process, the departmental chair(s) will make the final decision concerning course substitution requests.

E. Course substitutions are made only after every other option has been explored thoroughly and the course substitution appears to be the most effective means for achieving the objectives of a major, minor, or program of study for that particular individual.

VIII.  Service and Comfort Animals

Northwest Nazarene University is committed to providing appropriate access to its facilities and programs in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Americans with Disabilities Amendments Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Fair Housing Act and applicable state law. These procedures establish the scope of access and procedures for individuals who use service animals, who are accompanied by a service animal in training, and for students who are required to live in University housing who require a comfort animal as a reasonable accommodation to a disability.

The University will determine, on a case-by-case basis and in accordance with applicable laws and regulations and these Procedures, whether a service or comfort animal may be present on University premises as a reasonable accommodation to a disability.

A. Procedures - Service Animals and Service Animals in Training

University Officials may make inquiries within the parameters allowed by this procedure, to determine if the animal is a service animal and allowed on the premises. University Officials may also make decisions related to whether an individual with a service animal may be asked to remove or restrain an animal.

Inquiry Allowed by University Officials:

When it is not obvious what service an animal provides or is being trained to provide, only limited inquiries are allowed. University officials may ask two questions of a person with a service animal:

• Is the service animal required because of a disability?
• What work or task has the service animal been trained to perform?

Examples of work or tasks a service animal may perform include, but are not limited to, alerting individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing to the presence of people or sounds, alerting or guiding a person with visual impairments around obstacles or unsafe conditions, providing non-violent protection or rescue work, pulling a wheelchair, assisting an individual during a seizure, alerting individuals to the presence of allergens, retrieving items such as medicine or the telephone, providing physical support and assistance with balance and stability to individuals with mobility disabilities, and helping persons with psychiatric and neurological disabilities by preventing or interrupting impulsive or destructive behaviors. If the animal is a service animal in training, University officials may inquire what service the animal is being trained to perform and when the course of training will be complete.

University officials may not inquire about the disability of the individual with the service animal, require medical documentation, require a special identification card or training documentation, require that the animal wear a vest or other identifier, or ask that the service animal demonstrate its ability to perform the work or task.

1. Conflicting disabilities or rights
A service animal may not be excluded solely because another individual attending an event or using a publicly accessible facility or space of the University has a fear of the service animal or an allergy or a religious or cultural objection to the animal. Efforts must be made to accommodate the needs of both individuals, such as arranging for seating in different areas.

2. Requests for Accommodations by Students
When a student is accompanied by a service animal in classrooms, offices, residential buildings or other non-public space of the University, the following procedures apply. Student requests for disability accommodations, including requests to have a service animal accompany a student on campus and/or in classrooms or other programs of the University or to have a service animal live with a student in University housing should follow the procedures for determination of reasonable accommodations for students. See Disability Support – Documentation Guidelines (http://casa.nnu.edu/disability-services).

3. Generally Applicable Provisions for Service Animals on Campus
Service animals accompanying an individual with a disability are generally allowed in any area of the campus and during the times when the public is allowed. Service animals approved as a reasonable accommodation may accompany the student in academic and work spaces where the public is not generally allowed, including residential housing.

4. Responsibility for Damages
Individuals with service animals may not be treated less favorably than other individuals on the premises or participating in an activity. They may not be segregated from others involved in the activity and may not be charged an extra fee. However, if damage is caused by a service animal, the individual may be required to cover the costs of repairs. Additionally, the needs of other individuals on University premises participating in activities of the University must be balanced with the needs of the individual with a service animal.

5. Safety and Control of Service Animals
The service animal must be harnessed, leashed, or tethered, unless these devices interfere with the service animal’s work or the individual’s disability prevents using these devices. In that case, the individual must maintain control of the animal through voice, signal, or other effective controls.

A person accompanied by a service animal may not be asked to remove the service animal from University premises unless:
the animal is posing a threat to the safety of others or is out of control and the owner does not take effective action to control the dog; or the animal is not housebroken; or the animal is disruptive (e.g., barking other than for warning or protection, running around uncontrolled or otherwise creating a nuisance through behavior that is not necessary to provide the service required by the owner).

When there is a legitimate reason to ask that a service animal be removed, University staff responsible for the premises or activity must offer the person accompanied by the service animal the opportunity to participate or remain on the premises without the animal.

6. Care of Service Animals
The service animal must be clean and in good health and must be free of fleas and external parasites. The owner/partner of a service animal must abide by current city ordinances regarding licensing, vaccination and waste clean-up and removal. It is the responsibility of the owner/partner of the service animal to know about and comply with these ordinances. Service animals may be excluded when the presence of a service animal fundamentally alters the nature of a program or activity or is disruptive. Examples may include, but are not limited to, research labs, areas requiring protective clothing, food preparation areas.

B. Procedures - Comfort Animals

Comfort animals may include service animals as well as untrained emotional support or therapy animals (not limited to dogs), that are necessary as a reasonable accommodation to allow a student with a disability to have equal access to use and enjoy University residential housing. Comfort animals may provide a specific function, similar to those provided by service animals, or may provide emotional support and comfort. There must be an identifiable relationship or nexus between the disability and the assistance the animal provides.

1. Generally Applicable Provisions for Comfort Animals in University Residential Housing
Comfort animals may be allowed in University residential housing if the animal is necessary to allow a student with a disability to have equal access to the on campus housing opportunities provided to all students. Comfort animals are not allowed in other University buildings, including academic buildings. Comfort animals are also not allowed in University dining facilities.

2. Request for Accommodation by Students
Requests by students to have a comfort animal live with the student in University residential housing are reviewed through the policy and procedures for determination of reasonable accommodations for students. See Disability Support – Documentation Guidelines (http://casa.nnu.edu/disability-services). In accordance with that policy, the student will be required to provide documentation from a qualified health care provider that the student has a disability for which the animal is needed and how the animal provides support that alleviates at least one of the identified symptoms or effects of an existing disability. The student will also be required to provide documentation to Residential Life that the animal is healthy, spayed or neutered where appropriate and up to date on any vaccinations recommended by a veterinarian.

If a student seeks to have a comfort animal in University residential housing, the student must contact Disability Support Services as soon as possible and generally by June 30 for incoming students and by the Monday after Spring Break for students who are planning to return to University residential housing for the subsequent year. If the need for a comfort animal as an accommodation becomes known after a student has moved into University residential housing, the student must contact Disability Support Services as soon as possible. Disability Support Services will determine whether the student has a disability and will obtain any necessary documentation described in the preceding paragraph and forward necessary information to Residential Life. A decision will then be made, including input from the student, on how best to accommodate the needs of the student in balance with the needs of the campus community. The desired move-in date for the animal may be affected by timely receipt of required documentation and allowing for adequate time for Residential Life staff to prepare for the comfort animal.

3. Safety, Care and Control of Comfort Animals
Consistent with federal and state law, a comfort animal may be prohibited from University residential housing, as well as any other property of the University, if the animal’s behavior poses a direct threat to the health or safety of other members of the University community or to visitors to the University. An animal may also be excluded if its presence fundamentally alters the nature of a program or activity, if the animal is disruptive, if the animal causes physical damage to University property or the property of others, or if it substantially interferes with the reasonable enjoyment of residential housing by other students or visitors.

The student in University housing who is the owner of the comfort animal is at all times responsible for the behavior and care of the animal, including state and local requirements regarding vaccination and licensure if applicable, leash control, animal health, clean up and appropriate disposal of all waste, noise or other disturbances caused by the animal.

​The student owner of the comfort animal must ensure the safety and well-being of the comfort animal, as well as the safety of other students and staff in University residential housing, with regard to the presence of the comfort animal. The owner is at all times responsible to ensure that the animal is securely restrained in a manner that will not cause the animal harm, or cause the animal to act in a disruptive manner. When the owner is away from the residence hall room or facility, the owner must ensure that the animal has adequate food and water. Comfort animals may not be left unattended for periods of time that may jeopardize the health or well-being of the animal or put others at risk. Comfort animals may never be left unattended overnight and may not be left in the residence halls over break weeks or other times that the residence halls are closed.

C. Definitions

1. Comfort Animal: Animals, trained or untrained, that provide a function or service to a person with a disability that is necessary for the person with a disability to have equal access to the residential facilities of the University.

2. Service Animal: As defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act: any dog (or in some cases a miniature horse), individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including, but not limited to, guiding individuals with impaired vision, alerting individuals with impaired hearing to intruders or sounds, pulling a wheelchair, fetching dropped items, alerting and protecting a person who is having a seizure, reminding a person with mental illness to take prescribed medications, calming a person with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) during an anxiety attack, or performing other duties. Crime deterrence, emotional support and/or companionship are not “work” or “tasks” that qualify an animal as a “service animal.”

A miniature horse may be a service animal under this University Operating Procedure if: (1) the miniature horse is housebroken; (2) the miniature horse is under the owner’s control; (3) the premises or facility can accommodate the miniature horse’s type, size, and weight; and (4) the miniature horse’s presence will not compromise legitimate safety requirements necessary for safe operation of the facility or the program.

3. University Residential Housing: The housing provided for students of the University.

4. Contacts/Responsible Official

Questions related to the daily operational interpretation of this procedure should be directed to the Director for the Center for Academic Success & Advising (208) 467-8780 or DisabilityServices@nnu.edu

IX. Appropriate Use of Disability Services or Institutional Policy

A. Students with disabilities have the responsibility to adhere to the same academic standards, behavioral expectations, and ethical conduct as all other students on campus. Students who use Disability Services must follow the Disability Services Policies and Procedures so that services can be provided in the most effective manner possible.

B. All course requirements, as stated in course syllabi, are required by students with disabilities, subject to reasonable accommodations which do not substantially alter the course requirements or expectations.

C. Reasonable accommodations cannot substantively change a course. The boundaries of substantive change are at the discretion of the professor. Arrangements for accommodations must be made in a timely manner so that professors have adequate preparation time for reasonable adjustments.

X. Resolution of Grievances

A. If a student has reason to believe that he/she has been denied equal access to any NNU program, service, or activity due to disability, first he/she is encouraged to attempt a resolution of the concerns independently by initiating a meeting with the staff member, faculty member, administrator, or student with whom there is a concern or disagreement. Many times when both parties have the advantage of directly sharing their concerns, the matter can be resolved without further assistance.

B. If independent resolution is not satisfactory, and the student believes that his/her rights as defined under Section 504 of the Rehabilitations Act of 1973, the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990, or the ADAAA of 2008 have been denied, the student should submit a written account of the situation to the Director of CASA. The report should be submitted immediately after the independent resolution process has been attempted, but in no case more than 30 days.

C. If a faculty member has questions, concerns, or objections to any accommodation of any student with a disability, the faculty member should discuss the issues with the Director of CASA. The Director of CASA will assist the faculty member in resolving the issue in a satisfactory manner so that course requirements or expectations are not substantially altered.

D. If a student disagrees with the denial of an accommodation, or if a student believes that a given accommodation is inappropriate, then the student may file an Academic Appeal through the Registrar's Office according to the policy and process listed below:

1. Informal Appeal to Faculty Member. A student who believes that a faculty member has taken an adverse action against the student shall discuss the problem through an informal meeting with the appropriate member of the faculty. Such informal meeting need not be reduced to writing, and does not require a written decision from the faculty member. Any student who believes that the outcome of the informal meeting results in a decision of the faculty member which constitutes an adverse action may initiate a First Appeal by filing a timely notice of appeal with the faculty member's Department Chair or Program Director. Any failure by the student to bring such a first appeal within twenty-one days of the adverse action shall be deemed to be (a) a waiver by the student of any further appeal; and (b) a final action by the University.
2. First Appeal to Department Chair or Program Director. If a student is dissatisfied with the resolution determined by the faculty member under the Informal Appeal described above, the student may pursue a First Appeal, but only if the student files a Notice of Appeal with the Faculty Member's Department Chair or Program Director within twenty-one days of the adverse action. Any such first appeal shall be determined by the Department Chair or the Program Director. The Chair or Director shall provide the student notice of a hearing (if any) regarding such First Appeal, and shall issue a written decision regarding such First Appeal within seven days of the Chair's or Director's receipt of the Notice of Appeal or the hearing, whichever is later. Any failure by the student to timely file such a Notice of Appeal shall be deemed to be (a) a waiver of any further appeal; and (b) a final action by the University.
3. Second Appeal to Academic Unit Dean. If a student is dissatisfied with the decision rendered by the Department Chair or Program Director of the department of the University within which the appeal is taken, the student may pursue a Second Appeal to the Academic Unit Dean, but only if the student files a Notice of Appeal with the Academic Unit Dean within seven days of entry of the written decision of the first appeal. Any such Second Appeal shall be determined by the Academic Unit Dean. The Academic Unit Dean shall provide the student notice of a hearing (if any) regarding such Second Appeal, and, if a hearing occurs, shall issue a written decision regarding such Second Appeal within seven days of such hearing. Any failure by the student to timely file such a Notice of Appeal shall be deemed to be (a) a waiver of any further appeal; and (b) a final action by the University.
4. Third and Final Appeal. If a student is dissatisfied with the decision rendered by the Unit Dean, the student may pursue a Third and Final Appeal, but only if the student files a Notice of Appeal with the Vice President for Academic Affairs within seven days of entry of the written decision of the Second Appeal. Within seven days of notice of the appeal the VPAA shall inform the Academic Unit Dean of the appeal. The Academic Unit Dean shall appoint an Academic Appeals Committee and appoint a chair. The Third and Final Appeal shall be determined by the Academic Appeals Committee. The chair of the Academic Appeals Committee shall provide the student notice of a hearing (if any) regarding such Third and Final Appeal, and the Academic Appeals Committee shall issue a written decision regarding such Third and Final Appeal within fifteen days of such hearing. Any decision by the Academic Appeals Committee shall constitute the final action of the University regarding the Academic Appeal.