Federal law requires that Whittier College provide reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities that require them. Accommodations are modifications or adjustments that enable a student with a disability an equal opportunity to attain the same level of performance that is available to a student without a disability. Unlike primary and secondary school, accommodations in higher education focus on access, not success. Furthermore, accommodations are provided to students with disabilities who are otherwise qualified to meet the academic standards and behavioral expectations of Whittier College, and thus cannot fundamentally alter the nature of academic courses and their requirements.
When a student self-identifies to SAS as having a disability that requires accommodations, SAS engages in an interactive process to determine appropriate accommodations based on the functional limitations of a student’s condition(s). Accommodation requests may occur at any time during the term, but once approved, accommodations cannot retroactively impact course work or requirements. Once accommodations are approved, SAS notifies the appropriate faculty member via email.
SAS recognizes that some accommodations require negotiation and/or collaboration to implement. SAS staff are committed to supporting both students and faculty to facilitate the timely implementation of reasonable accommodations. SAS staff are always open to consulting with faculty and encourage them to reach out for support.