The Americans with Disabilities Act, enacted in 1990, provides civil rights protection for persons with disabilities. To be considered disabled, a person must have a physical or psychological impairment that substantially limits one or more life activities, must have a record of such impairments, or must be regarded as having an impairment. The term "disability" includes conditions that are visible (such as mobility, vision, hearing or speech impairments), as well as hidden (such as learning disabilities, chronic health conditions, or mental illness).

Major life activities include walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing, learning, working, caring for one-self, and performing manual tasks. Temporary impairments of short duration (e.g., broken limbs, sprains, influenza, etc.) which have little or no long-term or permanent impact on major life activities are excluded under the law.

In accordance with legal requirements, the University of Indianapolis must provide reasonable accommodation to the known physical or mental limitations of a qualified person with a disability.

A reasonable accommodation is any change or adjustment that permits a qualified person with a disability to participate, in a manner substantially equal to that by persons without disabilities, throughout all aspects of the learning experience. When a qualified person with a disability requests an accommodation, the University makes a good faith effort to provide accommodations that are effective for that person.

The nature of an accommodation depends upon the person's disability and the requirements of the particular program of learning. Thus, each request for accommodation is approached on a case-by-case basis. However, the person with a disability must be qualified for the program or academic major in which access is sought.

The individual must meet, with or without accommodations, the essential eligibility requirements of the program or academic major, and must be able to perform, with or without accommodations, the essential functions of being a student in a particular program or academic major.

Additionally, the ADA does not require the University to provide an accommodation if doing so would cause an undue hardship. This means that the accommodation would be unduly costly, extensive, disruptive, or would fundamentally alter the nature or operation of the University. The ADA also permits the University to require that an individual not pose a direct threat to the individual's own health or safety as well as to that of others.

To qualify for disability services from Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD), a student must:

• Apply and be accepted for admission to the University of Indianapolis through the regular admission process.

• Provide comprehensive and age appropriate documentation of a disability that requires accommodations. Note: Records submitted to SSD are systematically destroyed after 5 years unless the student is still enrolled at the University. Students should keep the original copy of their own documentation.

• Complete and submit the necessary forms and documentation to the SSD office.

• Discuss specific needs and register for services by scheduling an appointment with the SSD by calling (317) 788-6153 or visiting Schwitzer Center 206.

• Request services in a timely manner. It may take two to four weeks to arrange services.

Students are responsible for submitting to the SSD adequate documentation of a disability.

Students with physical disabilities, mobility impairments, visual impairments, hearing impairments, or chronic health disorders must submit the Verification Form completed by a licensed medical professional. This form is available at the SSD website or by contacting the SSD office.

Students with learning and attention disabilities must submit a psycho-educational report completed within the last three to four years by a licensed psychologist to the SSD office. Individual Education Plans (IEPs) are often insufficient as age appropriate and comprehensive documentation.

Please refer to UIndy’s Documentation Guidelines on this website

All documentation should address:

• Diagnosis
• Prognosis
• Functional limitations in an educational or field setting
• Recommendations