We believe the following documents will help you transition from a secondary to postsecondary education setting.

• "Auxiliary Aids and Services for Postsecondary Students with Disabilities: Higher Education's Obligations Under Section 504 and Title II of the ADA" from the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Civil Rights.
  Click here to view on the OCR's website.
• "Students with Disabilities Preparing for Postsecondary Education: Know Your Rights and Responsibilities" from the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Civil Rights.
  Click here to view on the OCR's website.
  
• "Right & Responsibilities: The SARC, The Student, & The Faculty" adapted by the SARC.
  Click here for a Word document. Click here for a PDF document.
  
• "College is Different Than High School" adapted by the SARC.
  Click here for a Word document. Click here for a PDF document.

The SARC coordinates services for qualified students with permanent disabilities in order to provide equal access to WKU’s programs and resources. Before the SARC is able to initiate accommodations for a student with a disability, that student must self-identify as an individual with a disability and fully complete the intake process. If you believe that you qualify as a student in need of an accommodation but do not meet the criteria as described in this section, please refer to the information contained in the "special circumstances" drop down menu at the bottom of this page. 

According to section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, an individual is considered disabled when 1) a physical or mental impairment substantially limits one or more major life activities; or 2) has a record of such impairment; or 3) is regarded as having such impairment.

Students requesting reasonable accommodations or services from the SARC must register with the office and provide documenting paperwork to verify eligibility according to Section 504 of Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and the SARC’s guidelines.

Request a Pregnancy and/or Pregnancy-Related Accommodation

As a WKU student, it is in your best interest to engage in an interactive process with the Student Accessibility Resource Center (SARC) to determine suitable courses of action to most appropriately meet your needs. The interactive process is both deliberative and collaborative and is designed to endorse your disability and your request for course or program modifications, adjustments, auxiliary aids, or other accommodations.

The interactive process involves you making requests for accommodations and services and then disclosing disability related information to the SARC staff. It also involves you completing the registration paperwork as well as the consent and permission forms.

It involves the SARC Coordinator recommending modifications, adjustments, auxiliary aids, and other accommodations based on the environment or program. In addition to determining eligible accommodations based on the nature of the disability, it also involves the SARC Coordinator drafting Faculty Notification Letters (FNL) forms each semester and consulting with other University staff members or specialists when necessary.

First Contact

Go ahead and REGISTER, and feel free to contact the SARC with any general questions. To schedule an appointment, contact the SARC over the phone at 270-745-5004 or via email at sarc.connect@wku.edu. Students are welcome to meet in person or by phone. 

Responsibilities

The Student's Responsibilities

• Disclose when registering with the SARC by completing the registration process and providing appropriate paperwork.
• Request accommodations, modifications, or an auxiliary aid .
• Engage in the interactive process by meeting with a SARC staff member in person or through the use of technology.
• Obtain Faculty Notification Letter (FNL) each semester.
• Submit FNL to faculty members or, when appropriate, to other University staff members. Return signed FNL to the SARC.

The SARC's Responsibilities

• Review documentation. Determine eligibility for accommodations.
• Engage in the interactive process by meeting with you in-person or through available technological tools.
• Consult with you and others about the most appropriate services based on the nature of the disability and the environment or program.
• Generate FNLs each semester based on your course schedule or housing assignment.
• Serve as an advocate for you.

Factors Considered

Factors for Auxiliary Aids or Modifications

Certain factors will be taken into consideration when any recommended reasonable modification or adjustment is requested to enable you to have an opportunity to benefit from the University’s academic program. Factors for consideration include:

1. the nature and extent of your disability; 

2. your prior use of an auxiliary aid or an academic adjustment; 

3. the nature and complexity of the course or academic program’s content; 

4. the methods through which the course content is presented; 

5. findings from consultations, when appropriate, with course instructors or 
specialists familiar with your disability. 


Factors in the Decision-Making Process

Considerations to determine auxiliary aids or academic adjustments are made following the reasoned deliberations of the SARC staff members who have relevant training, knowledge, and experience. When appropriate, faculty members and specialists knowledgeable of accommodations, reasonable modifications, or auxiliary aids will be included in the deliberative process to determine the most appropriate course of action. Factors in the deliberation process include:

1. a review of documentation substantiating a request for particular accommodations; 

2. a review of the specific course or program requirements; 

3. a review of available course options or alternatives;

4. a review of available accommodations, modifications, or auxiliary aids;
5. a review of the nature and extent of your disability and the effect of the disability on your performance both within the course or the program.

Factors in Denying a Request for Reasonable Accommodations

A request for an auxiliary aid or academic modification is only denied after the SARC Coordinator or other SARC staff member has conducted an appropriate inquiry specific to your individual circumstances. Factors considered in denying a request for accommodation may include the following:

1. the nature and extent of your disability;
2. your prior use of an auxiliary aid or an academic adjustment;
3. the nature and complexity of the course or academic program’s content;
4. the methods through which the course content is presented;
5. findings from consultations, when appropriate, with course instructors or specialists familiar with your disability.

On the occasion when a request for service is denied, you will be:

1. provided written notification of the specific reason or reasons for the request denial following the decision;
2. able to discuss with a SARC staff member the specific rationale for denying the request;
3. able to consult with a SARC staff member to explore alternatives;
4. informed of your right to appeal;
5. informed of the process for appealing the SARC staff member’s decision. 

Grievance Procedure

If you are dissatisfied with the resolution of your request, you may appeal the decision to the Director of the SARC who serves as the Student ADA Compliance Officer. Refer to the Student Grievance Procedure for further details on this appellant process.

Looking for the appropriate professional to provide disability documentation? We have a few suggestions. As you review these resources, be sure to consider your specific needs. 

• Students should start by considering the licensed professionals that know them best – your primary care physician (PCP), audiologist, specialist, psychiatrist, therapist, counselor, licensed social work, or any other licensed care providers.
• Vocational Rehabilitation can help people with disabilities get documentation for their disability, and they can help pair clients with the resources they need to succeed in higher education. Contact the Vocational Rehabilitation office that serves your county, city, or state.
• Students can consider seeking care from the Graves Gilbert Clinic at WKU (GGC@WKU). After the GGC@WKU has appropriately assessed the student, they may be able to provide the necessary documentation.
• Students may contact Dr. Rick Grieve at 270-745-4417 to be tested at the WKU Psychology Training Clinic on campus. They do basic psychological testing for students at a discounted rate of $50.
• Students can seek free counseling services from the WKU Counseling Center. After the Counseling Center has appropriately assessed the student, they may be able to provide the necessary documentation. Students may contact the Counseling Center at 270-745-3159.
• Students can also seek free counseling services from the WKU Talley Family Counseling Center (TFCC). After the TFCC has appropriately assessed the student, they may be able to provide the necessary documentation. Students may contact TFCC at 270-745-4204.

Students must provide disability related verification documentation substantiating the functional impact of the condition in order to receive the appropriate accommodations.

• We provide this Verification Form (PDF), to be completed by your care provider, which can be used as documentation.
• Students requesting housing accommodations are asked to complete the Verification Form rather than submit other forms of documentation.
• If requesting an emotional support animal students must submit the Verificiation form completed by a licensed mental health professional (e.g. licensed counselor, licensed therapist, psychologist, licensed clinical social worker, or psychiatrist – not a primary care doctor).
• Formal documentation on letterhead from your provider is another acceptable form of documentation. This could be a letter written by your primary healthcare provider, on their letterhead, that states your disability and what accommodations or services you require.
  
• Medical Documentation submitted can be a letter written from your primary healthcare provider OR the SARC Verification Form, but you DO NOT have to submit both. Other forms of documentation include a 504/IEP. However, we may request additional psycho-educational evaluations to help determine appropriate accommodations and services.
• This documentation is necessary to proceed with providing accommodations and services. Mail, fax, email, or bring the documentation to the SARC as soon as possible.

Note: Retrieving documentation is likely to warrant a visit to a health care provider. Complete this in a timely manner.

All students should refer to FERPA guidelines. You can find information from WKU about FERPA here and information from the U.S. Department of Education about FERPA here. 

We cannot disclose student information to anyone other than the student, unless the appropriate paperwork is on file. This is optional and is not required to receive services from the SARC.

If you would like to grant permission for the SARC to disclose information to a particular individual, you must stop by the SARC in DSU 1074 to complete the FERPA Permission Form. It must be completed in the presence of the SARC staff. Alternatively, if you are not able to complete the FERPA Permission Form in the SARC, you can complete the form with the assistance of a notary and mail the notarized permission form to the SARC. For a copy of the FERPA Permission Form, please contact the SARC at 270-745-5004 or sarc.connect@wku.edu. 

Meet with the SARC Staff: Feel free contact the SARC to discuss the effectiveness of your services, accommodations, and/or modifications. Additionally, reach out to the SARC with any questions. For example, as an underclassman, if your grades are not at their best when your 5th week course assessments come out, consider contacting the SARC Coordinator to review your accommodations and services. Additionally, you can also be preparing for your classes next semester, as well as the necessary accommodations. This will be the time to ask any questions or address any concerns you may have.

Connect with Faculty and Staff:  WKU Faculty and Staff are valuable resources in any classroom dynamic, but especially yours. Their cooperation may be necessary for various reasons throughout your experience with the SARC. Foremost, you will be provided with a Faculty Notification Letter (FNL) for each of your classes, which you must then provide to your instructors and return a signed copy to the SARC. 

Faculty and Staff can assist you by providing information about student activities, explaining the experience of studying abroad, vouching as a recommendation, and more. Get connected.

WKU is committed to providing equal access for students with disabilities. The university has a responsibility to monitor and address ADA compliance concerns. The grievance process will provide for a prompt and impartial resolution, and students seeking to lodge a complaint should contact the Student ADA Compliance Officer.

The Director of the SARC has been designated to serve as the Student ADA Compliance Officer, and will oversee student ADA compliance efforts.

Dr. Peggy Crowe
sarc@wku.edu
270-745-5004
270-745-3159

Refer to the Student Grievance Procedure for further details on this appellate process.