Disability Services & Accommodations

The task of the Disability Services Program is to offer quality services and reasonable and effective accommodations to students with disabilities in order to enhance their academic success, participation in educational programs, and quality of campus life.

Shaw University does not discriminate in the recruitment, admission, educational process, or treatment of disabled individuals, pursuant to the requirements of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.

Since assessment constitutes the basis for determining reasonable accommodations, it is in the student’s best interest to provide recent and appropriate documentation, which will serve as the basis for the student’s need for accommodations.

The Counseling Center provides services for students with permanent and/or temporary disabilities to ensure all university programs are accessible. Each qualified person, based on accurate documentation, will receive appropriate accommodations to ensure equal access to educational opportunities and activities in the most integrated setting possible.

Another part of the Disability Services Program is to help students to become better advocates for themselves. As effective self-advocates, students learn to speak and act for themselves.

For additional information, contact the Counseling Center at counselingcenter@shawu.edu.

Students requesting Disability Services are required to complete the following certification process:

Submit Documentation

Disability Services (DS) determines eligibility according to the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Based on the documented functional limitations caused by a disability, DS determines reasonable accommodations to ensure individuals with disabilities have equal access to all programs and services.

• Submit documentation from an appropriately credentialed professional dated within the student, and recommended accommodations. The guide for services are located in the student’s disability services handbook and are online. If you have additional information or documents that are not included in our handbook, please send what you have.
• Mail, email or fax documentation to contact listed below.

For additional information, contact the Counseling Center at counselingcenter@shawu.edu.

Shaw University in accordance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the American Disabilities Act of 2008 and the Fair Housing Act and other applicable federal and state regulations that prohibit discrimination based on disability, is committed to providing safe, healthy housing and equal access to Residence Life by all students with qualifying disabilities.

Housing accommodations are determined based upon documentation submitted to Disability Services through the University Counseling Center.

Steps for Requesting an Emotional Support Animal in University Housing

To receive housing accommodations for your Emotional Support Animal at Shaw University, students must:

• Complete the required documents for the Emotional Support Animal Request form available in the Disability Services office/Counseling Center a minimum of 30 days prior to occupancy.
• Residence Life and Counseling Center will review the request and inform the student of the decision via email.
• If approved the student will be contacted to review the Emotional Support Animal Policy and all information related to the Responsibilities as the Owner of the animal in University Housing.
• Upon approval of an Emotional Support Animal, all appropriate University Staff are informed of the decision.
• Before the Emotional Support Animal can be brought into the Residence hall the student will be required to meet with the respective residence staff members and review the owner’s Responsibility for Emotional Support Animal Policy or any documents associated and sign where appropriate.
• If the request is denied, the student may appeal the decision to the Vice President for Affairs.  The student will be provided information as to how to file an appeal when the decision is made.

• Disability Services Handbook
• “Driven to Distraction“, Ed Hallowell MD, and John Ratey MD, Pantheon
• “You Mean I’m Not Lazy, Stupid or Crazy?” Kate Kelly and Peggy Ramundo Tyrel and Jerem Press
• National Resume Database for Students with Disabilities
• The International Dyslexia Association
• NCLD – National Center for Learning Disabilities
• NICHCY – National Information Center for Children and Youth with Disabilities
• AHEAD – Association on Higher Education and Disability