Standards and Accommodations

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Standards
Colleges are not required to modify admission requirements or academic requirements for a student with a disability. In fact, a student with a disability must participate in the college's standard admission process and must be otherwise qualified for admission. Otherwise qualified means that the student with a disability must meet the same admissions standards and have academic credentials equivalent to their peers without disabilities.

The college is not required to lower or substantially modify essential academic requirements. For example, the college may provide extra time to complete a test, but it is not required to change the substantive content of the test.

Section 504 and the ADA are considered outcome neutral, that is, they ensure that a student with a disability has an equal opportunity for access but they do not require the college guarantee success.

Accommodations
If a student with a disability wants to request an accommodation, that individual must disclose his/her disability to the appropriate college official and must provide appropriate documentation. Documentation must be current and specifically address the disability for which the accommodation is requested. An IEP or 504 plan does not constitute sufficient documentation. Documentation should include a comprehensive evaluation report of both psychological and achievement testing by a qualified professional.

At Castleton this disclosure and documentation are provided to Kathy Perzanowski, the Learning Specialist in the Academic Support Center (802-468-1428).

Appropriate academic accommodations are determined by the designated college official based on the specific disability and the individual needs of the student, as well as on the essential requirements of the specific course.

The college is not required to make modifications that would fundamentally alter the nature of the course, or would result in an undue financial or administrative burden.