Accessibility & Disability Resources

General Information for All Students

The University of Lynchburg guarantees all students with documented disabilities equal access to an education limited only by personal ability and not by disability. We support students in obtaining reasonable accommodations in compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and the Americans with Disabilities Amendments Act of 2008.

The University of Lynchburg does not offer programs or courses specifically designed for students with disabilities but provides a variety of support services, including

Tutoring
Mentoring
Advising
Workshops
Academic success courses
Academic counseling
Career services
Therapeutic counseling

We arrange reasonable accommodations and support for students in becoming effective self-advocates.

What is a disability?

Individuals are considered to have a disability if they have a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits major life activity, have a record of such an impairment, or are regarded as having such an impairment. Disabilities fall into four major areas: Cognitive, Mental Health, Medical, and Physical.

Services for Students with Disabilities

The University of Lynchburg offers services to students with disabilities who provide reasonable documentation. The ADA establishes requirements for services and accommodations at the post-secondary level, which differ from K-12 education regulations.

Admission

Admission to the University is based on academic qualifications, with no pre-admission inquiry about disabilities. If you need accommodations for scholarship competitions, contact Accessibility and Disability Resources at least two weeks before the event.

Transitioning to College

Transitioning to college can be challenging for students with disabilities due to different legal requirements. Students and families need to understand the differences between these learning environments (PDF).

New Student Responsibilities

Self-advocacy is essential for success. Students should communicate their needs to ADR and teachers early in the semester.

Students must request new accommodation letters from ADR for each term (semesters, summer, and winter term) they attend the University.

Accommodations

Academic

A student can request an accommodation letter at any time during the semester or term. The letter is valid for one semester or term. It is the student’s responsibility to give copies of the letter to their professors. Accommodations begin as soon as letters are given to professors.

The approved accommodations only apply to events, assignments, or assessments that happen after a professor is given a copy of the student’s letter each semester. All information shared with ADR is confidential and not shared outside the office. ADR works with students on an individualized basis through an interactive process to make decisions on reasonable academic accommodations.

Approximately 10-12% of students at the University of Lynchburg are served through the ADR. Common academic accommodations include:

Students looking to request academic accommodations should refer to the policy here

Housing

The University of Lynchburg provides reasonable accommodations to students with disabilities in college housing to ensure equal access and opportunity. Students looking to request housing accommodations should refer to the policy here.

Dietary

The University of Lynchburg provides equal access and opportunity to students with dietary disabilities. Residential students have a mandatory meal plan, and the university offers reasonable accommodations for students with verifiable needs. Accessibility and Disability Resources work with students to determine reasonable dietary accommodations.

Temporary Disabilities and Personal Equipment

Temporary disabilities may include conditions such as concussions, surgeries, and short-term illnesses. Temporary accommodations can be arranged for these conditions. Students should provide documentation and contact ADR to arrange accommodations.

Personal Equipment

Students are responsible for personal equipment like wheelchairs, scooters, and crutches.

Intake and Accommodations

Students with disabilities seeking accommodations should contact Accessibility and Disability Resources as soon as possible. Accommodations are available for cognitive, medical, mental health, and physical disabilities, including temporary conditions. It's recommended to seek accommodations upon admission, but requests can be made at any time. Accommodations are not retroactive and begin at the date of approval.

Animal Policies and Accommodations

Animals, other than service animals and approved emotional support animals (ESA), are not allowed inside University buildings, including residential facilities. Students living in University housing may only have fish as pets. Any animal on campus outdoor areas must be on a leash unless it is a service dog under verbal control. More information is available in the Animals on Campus Policy.

Grievance Policy and Documentation

If you are a current or former University of Lynchburg student registered with Accessibility and Disability Resources, you can request copies of your documentation by emailing [email protected] with the subject line “Request for Disability Documentation.”

In the email, include your first and last name, last date attended or “currently enrolled,” University ID number (if available), date of birth, contact phone number, the reason for your request, and the specific documents you are requesting. Keep in mind that Accessibility and Disability Resources keep records for at least seven years after the student’s last date of enrollment.

ADA/Section 504 Resolution and Grievance Policy