Hardin-Simmons University complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 regarding students with disabilities.

No other qualified individual shall, solely by reason of his handicap, be excluded from the participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity at Hardin-Simmons University. Hardin-Simmons University shall provide reasonable accommodations for each student who

• has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits a major life activity, 
• has a record or history of such an impairment, or 
• is regarded as having such an impairment.

How do I apply for services?

Students must apply and be accepted for admission at Hardin-Simmons University. Students with disabilities go through regular admissions procedures. Once accepted to HSU, students requesting accommodations must apply with the Office for Students with Disabilities. Current (within the past three years, or as an adult) and comprehensive documentation of the disability must be provided to the Coordinator for Students with Disabilities. Information concerning a student's disability is treated in a confidential manner in accordance with University policies as well as state and federal laws. Documentation presented to the Coordinator shall be reviewed to verify the existence of a disability. If the documentation provided by the student is determined to be insufficient by the Coordinator, Hardin-Simmons University reserves the right to request additional documentation considered reasonably necessary to determine appropriate and effective accommodations on the college level.

Eligible students seeking accommodations should contact the Coordinator as soon as possible in the academic term (preferably during the first two weeks of a long semester) for which they are seeking accommodations. The Coordinator shall prepare letters to appropriate faculty members concerning specific, reasonable academic adjustments for the student. The student is responsible for delivering accommodation letters and conferring with faculty members. The Coordinator shall consult with the student and with HSU faculty and staff to ensure delivery of appropriate support services and shall serve as liaison between the student and the faculty member as needed.

Documentation Criteria

Guidelines for documentation of a disability are available in the Office for Students with Disabilities. Hardin-Simmons University is a member of the Association on Higher Education and Disability (AHEAD) and follows the Association's guidelines for documentation of a disability.

Each eligible student is responsible for presenting relevant, verifiable, professional documentation and/or assessment reports to the Coordinator for Students with Disabilities. Information concerning a student's disability is treated in a confidential manner in accordance with University policy as well as applicable federal and state laws. Documentation presented to the Coordinator shall be reviewed to verify the existence of a disability or to assist the University in determining appropriate accommodations.

Frequently Asked Questions

ARE ADMISSION STANDARDS DIFFERENT FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES?
No. Students with disabilities go through the regular admissions procedures. The Office for Students with Disabilities does not have a role in students with disabilities' admission to HSU.

DOES HARDIN-SIMMONS UNIVERSITY PROVIDE TESTING FOR LEARING DISABILITIES OR ATTENTION DEFICIT DISORDER?
Federal regulations do not require the University to diagnose disabilities. It is the responsibility of the student to advise the University of any perceived disability and to assume all costs associated with obtaining an adequate diagnosis and documentation of such disability. Testing must be obtained through an appropriate off-campus professional.

HOW DO I KNOW WHAT DOCUMEMTATION IS NEEDED?
Applications for disability services and documentation criteria are available in the Office for Students with Disabilities. You must contact this office to get an application and find out what the documentation standards are for your disability.

DOES EVERYONE AT HSU HAVE ACCESS TO MY DISABILITY INFORMATION?
No. Documentation of a disability furnished by the student is kept confidential and will be shared with University personnel only with the permission of the student, except as required by law. The student presents to appropriate faculty members written notification of the disability in the form of a Confidential Notification of Accommodations.

WHAT ARE MY RESPONSIBILITIES AS A DISABLED STUDENT?
(1) Apply and be accepted for admission at Hardin-Simmons University. (2) Complete an application for the Disabled Student Support Program and return it along with current and sufficient documentation in the form of an evaluation performed by a qualified professional. (3) After an application and sufficient documentation have been received, the student is required to meet with the Coordinator to discuss reasonable accommodations. In this meeting, letters of reasonable accommodation will be given to the qualified student. (4) Qualified students must provide HSU instructors with a letter of accommodation from the Disabled Student Support Program and meet with them to discuss the implementation of reasonable accommodations in a timely manner. It is strongly recommended that this be done in the first two weeks of class.

IF A STUDENT REGISTERS WITH THE OFFICE FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES, WILL IT SHOW UP ON TRANSCRIPTS AND/OR DIPLOMAS?
No. Students who receive reasonable accommodations do not receive a modified degree, they have earned the same degree as all other graduates of HSU. The same transcript and diploma is issued to all students. Accommodations are not noted on transcripts and/or diplomas.