Office of Disability Services

Office of Disability Services

The Office of Disability Services facilitates the process of academic accommodations for students with disabilities, and works in collaboration with the professional schools of the Health Sciences Center in an attempt to ensure full participation in all activities, programs, and services of the institution.

The office operates in accordance with the ADA, ADAA, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. 


Accommodation Procedures

  • Self-disclose to the Office of Disability Services by completing and submitting the Student Intake Form(completed by student)
  • Submit appropriate documentation from a licensed professional evaluator or medical professional. Documentation should adhere to these guidelines: 
  • Participate in an Intake Meeting with Disability Services to set up an accommodation plan. 
  • Provide your accommodation letter and set up accommodation arrangements with faculty members and school. 
  • Request a new accommodation letter every term/semester. 

Accommodation Guidelines

  • Accommodations are not official unless they have been created through the Office of Disability Services
  • Accommodations are not retroactive; they are active once a plan has been created through this office and disclosed to faculty members. 
  • Documentation and diagnosis information will remain completely confidential.
  • The Office of Disability Services reserves the right to request more documentation if documentation submitted is deemed insufficient.

Note on Technical Standards

Some programs require students to meet certain technical standards encompassing the following skills:observation; communication; motor function and coordination; intellectual abilities:conceptual, integrative, and quantitative; and behavioral and social attributes. Students are expected to be able to perform these skills with or without reasonable accommodations. An otherwise qualified student may not be excluded soley because of a disability if a reasonable modification or accommodation can be made by the institution. Reasonable accommodations must not fundamentally alter a program,service, or activity or create an undue burden on the institution. 
 

Contact:

Photo of Leigh Smith-Vaniz, female in red shirt

Leigh Smith-Vaniz, MA, CSAEd, CSAEd-SC
Director 
ods@lsuhsc.edu
504-568-2211