Disability Services

Eligibility

Reasonable accommodations can be arranged to enable students with disabilities who are otherwise qualified to participate in and benefit from all university educational programs and activities. All students must meet UMHB admissions requirements and be otherwise qualified to be admitted.

Following acceptance of admission, students seeking services are encouraged to contact the UMHB Student Disability and Testing Services office prior to the semester in which the student desires to attend University classes/activities. A disability must be documented, and appropriate accommodations approved in a timely manner before the period of stated need. Accommodations cannot be granted retroactively.

Requesting Assistance

The Disability Services representative is responsible for reviewing official documentation of student disabilities and facilitating corresponding accommodations. Students desiring accommodations for a disabling condition are responsible for providing Disability Services the acceptable documentation. Disability Services will work with students on a case-by-case basis to determine what documentation is appropriate under the circumstances.

Required documentation will generally include:

• Diagnosis of a current disability
• Date of the diagnosis
• How the diagnosis was reached
• Credentials of the diagnosing professional
• Information on how the disability affects a major life activity
• Information on how the disability affects the student’s academic performance
• Diagnosis and documentation must be dated within the last three years in most cases
• Hand signed by the diagnosing professional

Application Process

1. Complete the Accommodation Request form.
   Complete in full with a written (not typed) signature. You may also fill out the form in person.
   Parents may not complete and submit the request form unless the student is a minor.
2. Provide completed request form AND official documentation.
   The request form must be submitted with official documentation. Official and appropriate documentation must be received, reviewed, and approved before specific accommodations will be granted.
   1. Submit in person to:
      Disability and Testing Services
      Mabee Student Success Center, 3^rd floor
      Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm (summer closure is 4pm)
   2. Fax to:
      (254) 295-4196
      Attention: Disability Services
   3. Mail to:
      University of Mary Hardin-Baylor
      Attn: Blayne Alaniz - Disability Services
      900 College St, Box 8437
      Belton, TX 76513
3. Allow a minimum of 2 business days but no more than 14 days for initial processing.
   Students are encouraged to submit the request form and documentation four weeks prior to the semester in which the student desires to attend UMHB classes/activities.
4. Disability Services will contact you to respond to your request.
   Check your UMHB email and voicemail regularly and respond in a timely manner.

5. Attend initial student interview.
   Upon approval, the student will be scheduled for a meeting with the representative of Disability Services to discuss reasonable accommodation(s) that meet the student’s needs.

Accommodations

Accommodations or academic adjustments will be evaluated and arranged on a case-by-case basis. Upon receiving the documentation, Disability Services will complete an initial student interview. Once a disability has been properly documented, Disability Services will work cooperatively with the student to provide effective, reasonable accommodation(s) that meet the student’s needs. The university cannot grant accommodations which impose an undue hardship on the university or substantially alter the university’s academic programs.

Disability Services will provide a Letter of Accommodation describing those accommodations, which have been determined to be reasonable and appropriate for the student. The student and the representative Disability Services will jointly review the Letter of Accommodation, and the student will be referred to the appropriate faculty/staff offices for the provision of the services described in the letter.

Problems with Accommodations?

If a student believes that the accommodations and academic adjustments provided are not effectively meeting the student’s needs, the student should notify Blayne Alaniz (balaniz@umhb.edu), Director of Disability and Testing Services promptly. The Director of Disability Services will meet with the student to re-assess the Letter of Accommodation. If necessary, Disability Services will communicate with appropriate faculty members to make sure that accommodations are being properly implemented.