What is the Americans With Disabilities Act Amendments Act?

The Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA) is a civil rights law that was originally passed by Congress in 1990 (as the Americans with Disabilities Act-ADA) and protects individuals with disabilities from discrimination in the workplace, as well as school and other settings. The ADA was amended in 2008 and became effective January 1, 2009. The law does not provide funding for services or accommodations. https://www.ncld.org/get-involved/learn-the-law/adaaa/

What are disabilities that will be considered for accommodations? 

• 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 working.
• Major Bodily Functions include, but are not limited to, functions of the immune system, normal cell growth, digestive, bowel, bladder, neurological, brain, respiratory, circulatory, endocrine, and reproductive functions.

How does SCUHS provide equitable access to education?

Student Services Office reviews appropriate medical documentation, and consistent with laws and best practices determines reasonable accommodations, as well as auxiliary aids and services.

What does this mean for students?

This allows students to request a modification or reasonable accommodation to allow them to fully participate in the classroom and campus life. Once a modification or reasonable accommodation is approved, the student has the choice and responsibility to notify their instructors in a timely fashion. 

It is important for students to know that accommodations and services may not cause a fundamental alteration to core requirements of the course, program of study, or University requirements.  Students, faculty, and Student Services staff work together to define the limitations, if they exist, for accommodations.

How are religious accommodations implemented for students?

Reasonable accommodations are determined on an individual basis and depend on the circumstances. Students have a right to express religious beliefs without discrimination and have a safe place for worship and prayer. Examples of religious accommodations includes rescheduling an exam, allowing a group presentation to be given on a different date, and adjusting a due date if said item falls on a religious event or Holiday. 

Accommodation requests that will fundamentally alter program requirements, classroom curriculum, learning objectives, or student expectations will not be approved. Accommodation requests that will create an undue and unfair burden to others, including students, will not be approved. 

How do I reserve a quiet room on campus to take my test?

Campus locations can be: the LRC study rooms, the study rooms in the Chesney Center, or an empty class. Students prefer to use the LRC, but in cases when the LRC is closed/unavailable, students may use an empty classroom.

How to reserve a study room in the LRC: It is the student’s responsibility to email SCUHS Library SCUHSLibrary@scuhs.edu with their room reservation needs and include the date, timeframe, class name, and any other instructions such as may use paper, may use notes. Instructors must provide passwords to their exams by emailing SCUHSLibrary@scuhs.edu. Rooms will only be reserved when the request is made 7 days prior to the test date. Requests not following these parameters might not be fulfilled. 

How to reserve an empty classroom: Students prefer to use the LRC, but in cases when the LRC is closed/unavailable, students may reserve an empty classroom. It is the student’s responsibility to email Student Services StudentServices@scuhs.edu with their room reservation needs and include the date, timeframe, class name, and any other instructions such as may use paper, may use notes. Classroom will only be reserved when the request is made 7 days prior to the test date. Requests not following these parameters might not be fulfilled. 

How to reserve a study room in other buildings? All other rooms (excluding the LRC and classrooms) such as the Chesney Center are first come, first serve. We are unable to reserve these rooms. 

Please note! The LRC follows the standard calendar which closes when the campus is closed or on break. To verify if the LRC will be open when needed, please review SCU's calendars at  www.scuhs.edu and search 'Academic Calendars' or click here for direct access. Students who fail to properly reserve their room within the 7 business days timeframe may not receive a quiet room in the LRC or a classroom and consequently may not receive a quiet room for their exam. Instructors are not required to proctor a student’s exam separately if they fail to schedule properly with the LRC.