Accessibility and Accommodations
Aspen University is committed to embracing diversity in all forms. The Office of Accessibility can help if a student requires reasonable accommodation during their coursework because of a disability, religious observations, temporary conditions, and pregnancy/postpartum status. Students seeking reasonable accommodation should follow the steps outlined below and submit such a request as soon as reasonably practicable. Notice or requests from students outside of the process outlined below and/or notice to other University officials outside of the Office of Accessibility including faculty, staff, and administrators are not accepted as notice to the University for the purpose of approving accommodations.
Disability Accommodations
Aspen University’s Accessibility Services office will work to uphold the mission of the University by providing reasonable accommodations to all students with disabilities in order to help them achieve their academic goals. Aspen University complies and adheres to Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended. Aspen University’s policy and practice is to provide students with disabilities full and equal use of services, facilities, and privileges. Aspen University does not discriminate in its recruitment, admissions, academics, research, or financial aid processes. The University promotes an environment of respect and support for individuals with disabilities.
The University has developed a list of essential functions that a student should possess to successfully complete some programs. To request reasonable accommodation, a student must complete the Disability Accommodation Request Form available through the Accessibility Services page on Aspen’s website or delivered via email from accessibility@aspen.edu.
Request for Accommodations
Students must fill out a request form and send it back to the Office of Accessibility Services. Students are required to provide documentation that demonstrates credible assurance of a disability. The documentation should directly support the student’s request for accommodations. The documentation should include a summary of the student's functional limitations so the appropriate accommodations can be made.
Handwritten documentation must be clear and legible with the appropriate official signature and contact information for the associated facility. Documentation cannot be altered and must be submitted in its entirety. Documentation can be submitted to the Accessibility Services Office by email to accessibility@aspen.edu.
If the documentation provided does not meet the University's requirements, the student will receive notice and will be asked to provide alternative supporting documentation. All documentation provided is kept on file in the Accessibility Services Office for verification purposes. Students requesting additional accommodations after their initial approval, may be asked to provide additional documentation.
A student may request accommodations at any point in their program. Accommodations cannot be applied retroactively. For those assignments, we would encourage you to work with your instructor and follow the
Late Work Policy found in the catalog.
Approved Accommodations
After reviewing the student’s Accommodation Request form and subsequent documentation, Accessibility Services staff will determine reasonable accommodations for the student. An approved accommodation letter will be sent to the student outlining the details and the time length of the accommodation.
Documentation showing credible assurance of a permanent disability issue that have been approved by the Accessibility Services Office are valid for the length of the student’s academic program. It is the responsibility of the student to notify the Accessibility Office of any schedule changes that may occur during your program of study, including any extended break in classes, to ensure that your accommodations are applied or adjusted accordingly.
Faculty are to adhere to a student’s approved accommodations and are encouraged to seek clarification from the Office of Accessibility Services should there be a question or concern about providing the accommodation. Should a student request accommodation other than the approved accommodations, they should contact the Office of Accessibility at accessibility@aspen.edu. Faculty members, advisors, deans, and/or program directors are unable to alter the approved accommodation.
Extended time on individual assignments: Students are granted the maximum allowed extended time of 48 hours from the original due date to complete and submit individual assignments. The extended time does not cover discussion questions, calendar days for exams, group assignments, or any assignment that has peer interaction. Additionally, all assignments must be submitted by the end of the term. Any extension past the end of the term no longer is an accommodation, but falls under the purview of the Appeal policy.
Please see the documentation standards document on the Accessibility Services webpage for further information on required documentation.
Religious Accommodations
As part of this commitment, the University will make good faith efforts to provide reasonable religious accommodations to faculty, staff, and students whose sincerely held religious practices or beliefs conflict with a university policy, procedure, or other academic requirement, unless such an accommodation would create an undue hardship.
Individuals may not be discriminated against because of their religious beliefs or practices, or because they lack religious beliefs or practices. Students will need to fill out the Religious Accommodation request form, found on the Accessibility Services webpage and return to the Office of Accessibility Services. In some cases, religious accommodations are declined for reasons outside the control of the University.
To request a religious accommodation, more information, or assistance, please contact accessibility@aspen.edu.
Pregnancy and Postpartum Accommodations
Aspen is committed to creating an accessible and inclusive environment for pregnant and parenting students. Students may request reasonable accommodation because of pregnancy, childbirth, or related conditions. Reasonable accommodations vary based on the student’s circumstances but may include academic accommodations, leave of absence or flexibility (such as breaks during class, excused absences, rescheduling of tests, and alternatives to make up missed work). The Office of Accessibility Services will work with the student, financial aid or student finance (as applicable), their academic advisor, and the Registrar’s Office to determine appropriate accommodations.
In addition, Aspen University supports students who choose to continue breastfeeding their children should they return to campus. Aspen University shall provide a clean, private room that is easily accessible to students who are nursing. All designated lactation spaces shall be equipped with a surface, chair, electrical outlet, window coverings (as needed), and lock from inside. Students planning to breastfeed should do so around their scheduled class times to the extent possible.
Students who wish to discuss or request reasonable accommodation based on pregnancy, childbirth, or related conditions should complete a Pregnancy Accommodation Request Form available through the Accessibility Services webpage or delivered via email from accessibility@aspen.edu.
Grievance Process
The Regulatory Specialist is responsible for overseeing efforts to comply with these disability laws, including responding to grievances and conducting investigations of any allegation of noncompliance or discrimination based on disability.
If after engaging with the Regulatory Specialist, the student still believes that they have not received accommodations, is unsatisfied with accommodations provided by Accessibility Services, or believes to have been subjected to discrimination on the basis of disability, the student should contact the ADA/504 Compliance Officer by emailing liz.fernandez@aspen.edu.
If after taking these two steps, the student believes there is no resolution, the student must then follow the grievance procedure outlined in the Academic Catalog.