Disability Services

Reasonable accommodations are adjustments or modifications provided to students with documented disabilities to ensure equal access to academic programs, services, and activities. These accommodations are intended to remove barriers related to a student’s disability without altering essential course requirements or academic standards.

Reasonable Accommodations

• Reasonable means the accommodation will never lower standards or waive essential class requirements.
• Accommodations cannot fundamentally alter course objectives or diminish course standards.
• Accommodations are never meant to be retroactive and begin from the moment the student sends their Letter of Access to their faculty member.

Accommodations are determined through an individualized, interactive process with Disability Services, based on appropriate documentation and the specific functional limitations of the student’s disability.

Examples of reasonable accommodations may include, but are not limited to:

• Extended time for exams
• Use of assistive technology (e.g., screen readers, speech-to-text tools)
• Alternative formats for course materials (e.g., digital, large print, or braille)
• Testing in a reduced-distraction environment
• Relocation of classes to accessible locations
• Accessible Parking Permit

Accommodations do not guarantee academic success but are intended to provide equal opportunity for students to demonstrate their abilities.

Disability Services provides students with the opportunity to request housing accommodations based on a diagnosed disability. Housing accommodations requests will require accompanying documentation. Requests for housing accommodations will not be reviewed until documentation that meets these guidelines has been uploaded to AIM.

Housing availability is limited, and room assignments are made based on the completion of housing applications and deposit dates. Students must have a room assigned to receive housing accommodations.

Examples of reasonable housing accommodations may include:

• Wheelchair accessible room
• ADA-compliant room for hearing or vision impairment
• Private refrigerator (provided by the student that meets housing requirements)

Under Title IX, Northeast supports students who are pregnant or have pregnancy-related conditions. The college will:

• Let you stay in classes and activities while you are pregnant, if you choose to.
• Provide the same help given for other medical conditions.
  You may need to have your doctor fill out a medical form. You will then work with the Director of Disability Services to decide what support you need.
• Offer reasonable adjustments when needed, such as:
  • A larger desk
  • Elevator access
  • Extra restroom breaks
    A doctor’s note may be required for these adjustments.
• Allow excused absences for pregnancy or related conditions if your doctor says they are needed.
  • A doctor’s note is required.
  • Some classes may not allow flexible attendance. In these cases, you may need to take an incomplete, drop the class, or retake it later.
  • Adjustments do not mean you can miss unlimited classes.
• Allow you to return to your classes and activities after medical leave at the same level as before.
  • You will have a chance to make up missed work.
  • In some cases, other options may be offered, such as extra time to finish or retaking a course.
• Make sure instructors understand these rights and follow Title IX guidelines.

For more information about Title IX, visit the U.S. Department of Education website.

Documentation is information from a qualified professional who knows about your condition. This could be a doctor, therapist, counselor, audiologist, nurse practitioner, or mobility specialist.

Your paperwork can look different and vary in length, but it should explain how your condition affects your learning or your ability to get around campus.

Northeast has a Medical Documentation Form that can be used and requested by emailing disability@northeast.edu

Disability Services uses your documentation as part of the interactive process to understand your experience, see how it impacts your learning, and decide what accommodations are reasonable.

Examples of Acceptable Documentation

Your documentation should be recent (within the last 5 years) and from a provider who is not related to you. It should include:

• Your name
• Provider’s name, title, and license number, clinic or practice name
• Date
• Diagnosis

Common Types of Documentation

• A letter or statement from a health or service professional
• After-visit summary from a provider
• Psychological evaluation
• Neuropsychological assessment
• Mobility assessment
• Individualized Education Plan (IEP)
• 504 Plan
• Multidisciplinary Team Report (MDT)

Documentation Costs 

Please note that students are responsible for any costs associated with obtaining disability documentation from a medical, psychological, or other qualified provider. 

Academic Accommodations

1. You must sign up for your classes first.
2. After you are enrolled, fill out the Academic Accommodations Application.

Housing Accommodations

1. Start by filling out the housing contract to reserve your room.
2. For help with the housing contract, visit the Campus Housing page on the Northeast website.
3. Once your contract is complete, fill out the Housing Accommodations Application.

GED/Drivers Ed Accommodations

1. You must sign up for your classes first.
2. After you are enrolled, fill out the GED/Drivers Ed Accommodations Application.

Dining Accommodations

Are coordinated through Dining Services. Contact information is available upon request.

Questions?
Email us at disability@northeast.edu.

Laws That Support Students with Disabilities

Several federal laws make sure students with disabilities have equal access to college programs and services. These include:

• The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504)
• The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990
• The ADA Amendments Act (ADAAA) of 2008
  Section 504 (Rehabilitation Act of 1973)
  This law says that students with disabilities cannot be treated unfairly. Colleges that receive federal funding must give equal access to programs, services, and activities.
  ADA and ADA Amendments Act (ADAAA)

These laws expand protections for people with disabilities. A person may have a disability if they:

• Have a physical or mental condition that limits major life activities (like learning, walking, seeing, or working)
• Have a record of this condition
• Are seen by others as having a disability

At Northeast, this means students who meet admission and program requirements can request reasonable accommodations to fully take part in classes and campus life.

What This Means for Students

Northeast is committed to providing reasonable accommodations and academic adjustments so students with disabilities have the same opportunities as all students.

Student Privacy (FERPA)

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is a federal law that protects your education records.

• Your records are private and kept confidential
• Once you turn 18 or attend college, these rights belong to you
• Your disability documentation is only shared with appropriate Northeast staff when needed

Confidentiality and Record Retention

Student information is maintained securely within Disability Services records, network drives, and approved data management systems. Student records are retained for three years following the last semester in which accommodations or services were provided.

A student's disability status and use of accommodations are confidential and are not noted on academic transcripts.

Please note that Disability Services cannot forward, release, or share accommodation records, disability documentation, or related information with other educational institutions, employers, healthcare providers, or external organizations. Students who wish to provide documentation to a third party are responsible for obtaining and sharing those records directly.

If you have concerns about your accommodations, you have the right to ask for a review.

• Start by contacting the Director of Disability Services to talk through your concerns.
• The Director can explain the next steps and timeline for the appeal process.
• You can find the full appeal and complaint procedure at Services for Students with Disabilities.

In high school, teachers and parents worked together to get you the support you needed to succeed. In college, things are different. Now, it’s your job to ask for help. If you need support, you must contact the disability services office to begin the request for accommodations.

For additional information, view the Transitioning to College.

Service Animal – A dog that has been individually trained to do work or perform tasks for an individual with a disability. The task(s) performed by the dog must be directly related to the person's disability. Service animals in-training are not allowed on campus.

Assistance Animals – An animal that provides emotional support, therapy, well-being, or companionship that alleviates or mitigates symptoms of an individual's disability. The animal need not be individually trained. Assistance animals are not limited to dogs and can be other species of animals. Generally, does not accompany a person with a disability all the time

Pet – A domesticated animal (e.g., dog, cat, ferret, snake, bird, etc.) kept for pleasure or companionship.

For additional information, view the Presence and Use of Service and Assistance Animals and Pets Procedure.

Questions?
Email us at disability@northeast.edu.

Students are responsible for arranging their own transportation and supplying any mobility aids needed to support their participation.