ADA Policy for Services at Higher Education Campuses and Sites
Southeastern Oklahoma State University (SOSU) and all Higher Education Centers or other sites affiliated with SOSU will comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Section 504 which states, “No otherwise qualified person with a disability in the United States…shall, solely on the basis of disability, be denied access to, or the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity provided by any institution receiving federal financial assistance.”
A collaborative effort between the SOSU Campus Coordinator, the SOSU Administrative Coordinator for Higher Education Centers, the SOSU Coordinator of Student Disability Services, the Directors of the Higher Education Centers, and site ADA Compliance Officers will assure that the University, Higher Education Centers, and other sites are taking necessary steps to ensure that no qualified student with a disability is denied the benefits of, excluded from participation in, or otherwise subjected to discrimination while enrolled in any SOSU course. Any student enrolled in SOSU classes and needing disability services should contact the SOSU Coordinator, the specific Higher Education Director, the SOSU Campus Coordinator, or the ADA Compliance Officer at each site for assistance.
A “person with a disability” is someone with an impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities; has a record of such an impairment; or is regarded as having such an impairment. A qualified employee or applicant with a disability is an individual who, with or without reasonable accommodation, can perform the essential functions of the job in question.
Policy for Students
Students enrolled in SOSU classes at a Higher Education Center or other site should complete the steps listed below well in advance of the anticipated need for services and accommodations to allow for a reasonable period of time in which to evaluate and implement those needs and requests:
- Students must be admitted to SOSU classes at a Higher Education Center or other site before requesting accommodations.
- Students requiring accommodations should first contact the SOSU Campus Coordinator located on each Higher Education Campus or the on-site ADA Compliance Officer. Documentation of disabilities and needs may be required and subject to verification.
- In conjunction with the Coordinator of Student Disability Services, the University will make a case-by-case determination of the student’s need for any requested auxiliary aids, accommodations, or special services determined to be necessary.
- The Director of the Higher Education Center or the on-site ADA Compliance Officer in consultation with the Campus Coordinator will address all accommodations which affect the physical structure, furnishings, or equipment.
Policy for Employees
SOSU employees and/or job applicants who need accommodations should contact the SOSU Campus Coordinator or the SOSU Campus Compliance Officer who will verify the disability and arrange for accommodations, if appropriate. Employees who feel aggrieved may reference grievance procedures in the Employee Handbook.
Student Grievance Procedures
Students who believe that they have experienced discrimination on the basis of a disability can seek resolution through the University’s discrimination grievance procedure. Information and consultation on these procedures are available through the Directors of the Higher Education Centers, SOSU Campus Coordinators’ offices, the SOSU Campus Compliance Officer (SOSU campus, Administration Building Room 309), the SOSU Coordinator of Student Disability Services (SOSU campus, Student Union, Suite 204), and the SOSU Office for Student Affairs (SOSU campus, Administration Building, Room 205). All other interested individuals should contact the Campus Compliance Officer (SOSU campus, Administration Building, Room 309) or call (580) 745-2162.
Approved by Legal Counsel 7/19/01
Approved as Policy 6/03/02
Updated by Committee 11/8/06
