BU is committed to embracing diversity in the university community and to the individual rights of each member of this community. BU seeks to provide students with disabilities support services and other reasonable and effective accommodations to ensure equal access to university programs.

 
The Office of Accommodative Services for Students with Disabilities offers a wide
range of activities designed to support and enhance the performance of students
with disabilities.

Services include but aren't limited to:

• provision of accommodative testing
• notetakers
• scribes
• interpreters | Interpreter Request Form
• readers
• auxiliary aids
• adaptive equipment
• liaison between students and faculty in classroom accommodations

The office also serves as an advocate for the student in issues of accommodation beyond the classroom and acts as a liaison with other campus offices. The need for a specific accommodation must be clearly established within the documentation provided by the student.

Accommodations include but aren't limited to:

• advanced registration
• sign language interpreters
• oral interpreters
• notetaking support
• access to adaptive technology
• accommodative testing
• advocacy within and outside of the campus
• coordination of support activities with external agencies, such as vocational rehabilitation

Documentation Criteria

Documentation for a student must:

• completed by a licensed and certified professional qualified to diagnose the disability or disabilities
• current and clearly describe the diagnosed disability or disabilities and include a complete educational, developmental, and medical history
• include all test and assessment instruments used, describe the functional limitations of the disability or disabilities, and explain the specific accommodations requested
• typed on letterhead and signed/dated by the professional evaluator and include information about the license area or specialization of the evaluator

Documentation guidelines for specific categories of disability:

• Cognitive Disabilities: LD, ADHD, TBI
• ADHD with Medical or Psychiatric Evaluation
• Psychiatric Disabilities (Not LD or ADHD)
• Physical Disabilities or Chronic Illness
• Asperger’s or Autism Spectrum Disorder
• Sensory Impairment

Lead Time

The student is responsible for requesting accommodations in a timely manner. Because planning is a critical step in the provision of an accommodation, students are encouraged to contact the accommodative services office before their orientation visit to discuss anticipated needs.

Academic Support Services

A range of support services is available to all students as described in the student handbook and the BU catalog. Students with disabilities are encouraged to use these additional services.

Additional Information

Individuals who seek additional information about accommodations and services at BU are invited to contact Denise Recla to arrange a campus interview.