Students who would like to receive academic accommodations while enrolled at High Point University must self-identify as a student with a disability by formally registering with the Office of Accessibility Resources and Services (OARS). Registration, documentation, and participation in an interactive process are required for all requested accommodations.
The interactive process involves the student meeting with an Accessibility Specialist and discussing the student’s academic concerns while attending High Point University. The Accessibility Specialist will review the submitted documentation after meeting with the student and take into consideration what was discussed during the meeting. Once the Specialist has reviewed the documentation, the student will receive an eligibility letter with the approved accommodations.
Students with approved academic accommodations must request their accommodations at the beginning of each semester. Accommodations are NOT retroactive. Therefore, students must be proactive by requesting accommodations at the beginning of each semester and/or academic school year.
OARS will be transitioning from COMPASS to a new accommodation platform called Accommodate. OARS will start the roll-out of Accommodate soon. Students that are currently enrolled at High Point University, Faculty, and Staff will need to start preparing for this transition. Due to this transition, we are asking that incoming freshmen wait to submit accommodation requests. We understand that change is scary and sometimes a little messy, and we appreciate your patience and understanding as this transition is made. We are very excited about this new platform and believe you will be too!
Academic Accommodation Documentation Criteria
High Point University (HPU) is committed to providing reasonable and effective accommodations to individuals with disabilities. The legal definition of disability is a mental or physical condition that substantially limits a major life activity compared to most people. Substantial in this context is somewhat subjective but means a notable, significant, meaningful limit/difference to the manner in which the individual engages in the activity, the conditions necessary for them to engage in the activity, the duration for which they can engage in the activity or the frequency which they engage in the activity. Major life activities include, but are not limited to, caring for oneself, performing manual tasks, seeing, hearing, eating, sleeping, walking, standing, lifting, bending, speaking, breathing, learning, reading, concentrating, thinking, communicating, and the proper functioning of major bodily systems.
Suggested Documentation Elements:
- Typed on letterhead, dated, and signed by a qualified professional.
- Provide a diagnosis and functional limitations, a diagnosis and a history of received accommodations, or functional limitations and a history of received accommodations.
- If appropriate, include a description of the student’s specific side effects from such treatments or medications and how they impact the student’s right to equal access to the benefits of the University.
- Provide any recommendations directly linked to the impact or functional limitations associated with the disability.
The following information/documentation is not adequate for determining accommodations:
- A brief note from a physician or health professional requesting an accommodation.
- Information or notes written on a prescription pad or aftercare instructions issued to the student.
- Evaluation reports of learning difficulties that are not comprehensive or identify “problems or challenges” but do not specifically diagnose a learning disability, functional limitations, or history of received accommodations.
Please submit all documentation to the High Point University Office of Accessibility Resources and Services via Email: OARS@highpoint.edu or by uploading the documentation to your COMPASS Portal.
If you have questions, please call the High Point University Office of Accessibility Resources and Services at 336-841-9026.
Click here to access documentation requirements for requesting accommodations.
TO REQUEST ACADEMIC ACCOMMODATIONS:
- Complete the OARS COMPASS Registration. Please state the requested accommodations and provide a summary of previous accommodations. This form also authorizes the OARS Staff to release disability-related information to campus officials as necessary. PLEASE NOTE: when applying for accommodations, you will be asked for your HPU email and password to access the site.
- Provide appropriate documentation. Please review the Documentation Criteria for Academic Accommodations.
- OARS Accessibility Support Specialists will contact the student (via their HPU email) to meet with them and discuss their academic concerns while attending HPU.
- After meeting with the student, OARS Accessibility Specialists will review the student’s documentation to determine eligibility for appropriate accommodations taking into account the conversation they had with the student.
- The student will be notified of their approved accommodations via an eligibility letter sent to their HPU email.
– Note –
- Each semester students must request accommodation letters be sent to their instructors to notify them of approved accommodations.
- Accommodations are implemented in coordination with OARS staff & classroom professors.
Has it been a few weeks, and you feel like your accommodations need some adjustments? No problem! Schedule a meeting with a member of our OARS team, and we are happy to sit down and discuss any changes that need to be made.