Responsibilities of Students, Faculty, & DRC

The University of Louisville is committed to equal opportunity and challenge for all academically qualified students and does not discriminate on the basis of disability. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 are significant federal mandates that require universities to provide reasonable and appropriate accommodations for qualified students with documented disabilities. Support services and accommodations are designed to provide students with disabilities full access to the University's educational opportunities.

Access is a Shared Responsibility

The Disability Resource Center (DRC) is responsible for the general coordination of programs and services for qualified applicants for admission and enrolled students with disabilities. Eligibility for services and appropriate accommodations are determined by staff of the DRC after review of disability documentation. While the DRC coordinates accommodations for students with disabilities, access is a shared responsibility among students, faculty, and the DRC, with each group playing a key role in assuring that access needs are met.

Responsibilities of Students with Disabilities:

• Students are responsible for ensuring that the University is aware of disabilities that require accommodation in the educational process.
• Students are responsible for requesting accommodations by identifying themselves to the DRC, presenting appropriate documentation of disability, completing a service request each semester, and requesting accommodation letters for faculty outlining specific accommodation needs.
• Students are responsible for providing the accommodation letters to each faculty.
• Students are responsible for requesting accommodations in a timely manner.
• Students are responsible for following all policies and procedures relevant to their accommodations.
• Students are responsible for meeting the requirements of each class.
• Students are responsible for notifying their coordinator at the DRC of any problems receiving appropriate accommodations.

Responsibilities of Faculty:

• Faculty are responsible for referring students with disabilities to the DRC and are strongly encouraged to include the following statement on the course syllabus: 
  "The University of Louisville is committed to providing access to programs and services for qualified students with disabilities. If you are a student with a disability and require accommodation to participate and complete requirements for this class, notify me immediately and contact the Disability Resource Center (Stevenson Hall 119, askdrc@louisville.edu, 502-852-6938) for verification of eligibility and determination of specific accommodations."
• Faculty is responsible for requiring verification of eligibility. The standard form of verification is a letter to the faculty prepared by DRC staff.
• Faculty is responsible for providing approved accommodations for eligible students. DRC staff is available for consultation about appropriate levels of accommodation and available support resources.
• Faculty must consult freely with DRC staff as questions and concerns arise regarding approved accommodations for each student.

Responsibilities of the Disability Resource Center:

• DRC is responsible for general coordination of accommodations for students with disabilities.
• DRC is responsible for referring students with suspected disabilities to resources for assessment, but DRC provides no diagnostic services.
• DRC is responsible for receipt and review of documentation of disability.
• DRC is responsible for determining eligibility for specific accommodations.
• DRC is responsible for preparation of accommodation letters. Letters are given to students who then share the letters with their faculty.
• DRC is responsible for discussing accommodation needs with students, faculty, and others as appropriate to identify appropriate accommodations on a case-by-case basis.
• DRC is responsible for assisting faculty with classroom accommodation needs and provision of appropriate auxiliary aids.
• DRC is responsible for assisting with problem resolution as needed.