Disability Resources and Accessibility

Our Mission

Maryville College Student Affairs is committed to embracing differences. We consider disability an important tenant of diversity in our society and on our campus. The Student Affairs’ Office for Disability Resources and Accessibility seeks to promote equity by removing barriers to access for students with disabilities.  Our mission is to create an equal opportunity for students to demonstrate their abilities at the College, to provide equal access to programs and activities at the College, and to comply with state and federal laws to ensure students with disabilities are not subject to discrimination.

We encourage students to contact us to engage in a discussion to identify and remove barriers in their Maryville College experience. Our office is located in the lower level of Thaw Hall.  The staff is available during regular business hours and may also be reached by phone or email (listed on this page).

Reasonable Accommodations

Providing reasonable accommodations is one way to preserve access for students with disabilities. Disability Resources and Accessibility staff believe that the student is the most valuable resource for determining effective accommodations. Disability Resources and Accessibility assists students in becoming self-advocates while supporting their essential needs. Our office assists faculty by providing information on working with students with disabilities and helping to facilitate necessary accommodations. Students who feel that they are experiencing problems in the College setting should contact the office as soon as possible to resolve any difficulties they may be experiencing regarding accommodations or access on campus.


How to Request Accommodations

  1. Complete the registration form.
  2. Meet with a staff member to determine accommodations that will reduce or remove those barriers. The process for determining accommodations is a collaborative one that may or may not require third-party documentation. Documentation may be required for one of the following reasons:
    • To establish that a student can be considered a person with a disability entitled to reasonable accommodations
    • To help understand the impact of the condition.
    • To help determine the development of reasonable accommodations. Guidelines on documentation can be found below.
  3. Disability Resources and Accessibility will provide your faculty with a Letter of Accommodation. Collaborate with your faculty to implement the accommodations.
  4. Follow up with Disability Resources and Accessibility if there are any questions or concerns about your accommodations.

Documentation Guidelines

With guidance from the Association on Higher Education and Disability (AHEAD), the Office of Disability Resources and Accessibility considers the following evidence for determining a student’s disability and the provision of specific accommodations:

Student’s Self Report

You are the most valuable resource for information regarding how you may be impacted by your condition(s). Your experience of disability, barriers and effective accommodations is critical information. This information is gathered through your registration form and your meeting

Observation and Interaction

In some cases, disability is apparent either in terms of presentation or effect. As part of the interactive process, Disability Resources and Accessibility staff may make appropriate and reasonable judgments that contribute toward the determination of disability.

Documentation from External or Third Parties

Documentation from a qualified medical, psychological, or educational professional should provide information on the current impact/limitations of the condition in a postsecondary environment.

Examples of Documentation may include:

  • formal assessments or reports
  • letters from qualified professionals
  • high school documentation (IEP, 504 Plan, Summary of Performance), etc.
  • information from the Department of Veterans Affairs

Some accommodations, such as Emotional Support Animals, some housing accommodations, and meal plan exemptions, may require additional information.

Note: These guidelines apply to students actively enrolled at Maryville College. Please be aware that accommodations at other universities or for tests like the GRE and LSAT may require more extensive documentation.


Appeal for Denial of Accommodations

Students who have been denied a disability-related accommodation and would like to appeal the decision may file an appeal within ten (10) business days of the denial. Appeals should be submitted in writing by email to the Office of Disability Resources and Accessibility at disabilityservices@maryvillecollege.edu. Requests for appeal should include the date of denial, the denied accommodation(s), and a statement regarding why the accommodation should be granted. Students may only appeal a denial of accommodations; students may not appeal a request for additional documentation to support the accommodation request.

Appeals of decisions made by the Assistant Director of Disability Resources will be determined by the Director of Disability Resources and Compliance. Appeals of decisions made by the Director of Disability Resources and Compliance will be determined by the Vice President and Dean of Students/Chief Diversity Officer, are considered final. The appellate decision-maker will review the student’s request for appeal, original request for accommodation(s), and any supporting documentation and issue a decision in writing within fifteen (15) business days of receipt of the appeal. The decision will be emailed to the Maryville College email address of the student requesting the appeal and to the Office of Disability Resources and Accessibility.


Contacting Disability Resources

To inquire about registration and services, students should visit the office in the lower level of Thaw Hall during regular business hours.

Staff
Director, Disability Resources and Accessibility
Kelly Fitzgerald
Director, Disability Resources and Accessibility
Thaw Hall, Lower Level
865-981-8124
Assistant Director for Disability Services
Debbie Phelps
Assistant Director for Disability Services
Thaw Hall, Lower Level
(865) 981-8120
Tyla Muric
Tyla Muric
Disability Resources Sign Language Interpreter
Thaw Hall, Lower Level
(865) 981-8410

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