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Accessibility Services

Formerly known as The Office of Disability Services, The Office of Accessibility Services (OAS) serves as the designated unit responsible for receiving accommodation requests, approving services, and coordinating support to ensure accessibility for students with disabilities throughout their academic journey at La Sierra University. Additionally, OAS serves all student populations across all campuses.

Our Mission

The Office of Accessibility Services at La Sierra University is dedicated to fostering an inclusive educational environment. We promote the use of inclusive language, advocate for equal access, raise awareness about disabilities and abilities, and empower students. Our goal is to ensure that students with disabilities have equal opportunities to participate in university programs, educational experiences, and spiritual development. We are committed to supporting all students in their pursuit of academic and personal growth.

Accommodations

An accommodation is a modification or support provided to students with disabilities to ensure they have equal access to educational opportunities and campus life without fundamentally altering the nature of an academic program. Additionally, with all accommodations, we strive to remove barriers related to disabilities while maintaining the integrity of our policies.

The need for accommodation is assessed on an individual basis. Please note that not all students are eligible for all accommodations, as each accommodation is assigned based on the specific nature of the student’s disability.

To ensure timely and appropriate accommodation(s), students are responsible for obtaining current documentation that supports their disability.

Please note that accommodations offered by OAS include, but are not limited to, the following list:

  • Exam Accommodations
  • Note Taking Accommodations
  • Alternate Media
  • Golf Cart Services (for Mobility Impairments)
  • Audio Recording of Class Lecture
  • Alternate Furniture
  • Real-Time Captioning
  • Housing Accommodations

 

How to Register with OAS

Registering with OAS

In order to receive services, you must be enrolled and registered for classes at La Sierra University.  Students must provide OAS with disability related documentation from an appropriate licensed professional to verify the student has a disability in order to receive reasonable accommodations.

In order to be eligible for reasonable accommodation, the disability must be verified by OAS staff.  The following steps must be completed in order to receive accommodations:

  1. Complete and submit the Application for Services form.
  2. Submit appropriate documentation to OAS office.
  3. Meet with OAS staff for an intake interview.  OAS staff will determine eligibility for services during the intake.  

OAS staff will discuss and arrange the appropriate accommodations with you.  OAS reserves the right to deny services or accommodation, pending receipt of the documentation.  Students who are found to be non-disabled are referred to other campus and community resources for assistance.

In order to receive accommodations in a timely manner, please be sure to contact OAS early so that you can make necessary arrangements to obtain appropriate documentation.

Please note: Office of Accessibility Services does not provide testing for psychological and/or learning disabilities.

OAS Procedures

  • Students who are registered with OAS must request their letter of accommodation every quarter that they want to claim accommodations.
  • Accommodations for students go into effect when the professor receives the letter of accommodation; accommodations are not retroactive.
  • If a student needs different accommodations the student must meet with OAS staff for a reevaluation of accommodations.
  • Students who were registered with OAS as undergraduates at La Sierra University and reenroll as graduate students must be reevaluated by OAS for accommodations.
  • Any questions or issues regarding accommodations (by students or professors) should be mediated through OAS staff.

Apply Now

Application for Services

Contact Us


Phone: (951) 785-2452
 

Office Location

Sierra Vista Hall
Room # 103

Campus Access Map

Office Hours

Monday-Thursday
8:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.; 1:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Tuesdays:
11 a.m.-12 p.m. Closed for chapel

Friday:
8:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Campus Map

Vehicle Access Map
(Routes marked in blue dotted lines indicate additional Disabled Parking Spaces on Campus)

*All vehicles parked in Disabled Parking spaces must have Disabled Placard and the Placard must be properly displayed.

Housing Accommodations

In order to ensure that accommodation requests are reviewed for Fall 2023 housing assignments, requests must be submitted to Accessibility Services no later than September 1, 2023. Accommodation requests submitted after September 1 will be reviewed; however, if accommodations are granted, it is not guaranteed that they will be put in place for Fall.

Test Proctoring for Accessibility Services

In order for the Testing Center to proctor any quizzes and/or exams, we must have the Test Proctor form completed by you and your professor.  The OAS Test Proctor form can be picked up at Office of Accessibility Office or can be downloaded.

Please make sure that all necessary information is completed by you and your professor. Any missing or ignored information may void your Proctor Form altogether. It is the student's responsibility to deliver the completed form to Office of Accessibility Services.

*All OAS Test Proctor Forms must be completed and return to Testing Center at least three (3) work days prior to your testing date.

Differences Between High School and Higher Education

CategoryHigh SchoolHigher Education
Applicable Law
  • I.D.E.A (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act)
  • Section 504 of Rehabilitation Act of 1973
  • I.D.E.A is about SUCCESS
  • A.D.A (Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990) Section 504, Rehabilitation Act of 1973
  • A.D.A. is about ACCESS
Intent of the Law
  • IDEA: To provide a free, appropriate public education in the least restrictive environment to students with disabilities
  • 504: To ensure that no otherwise qualified person with a disability is denied access to, benefits of, or is subjected to discrimination in any program or activity provided by any public entity or institution.
  • 504: To ensure that no otherwise qualified person with a disability is denied access to, benefits of, or is subjected to discrimination in any program or activity provided by any public entity or institution.
Who is Covered
  • Anyone who requires special education services (under the age of 21 or graduation from high school).
  • All qualified individuals with disabilities who meet the entry level criteria for particular program of the college and who can provide documentation of disability as defined by the ADA.
Services
  • School Districts are responsible for identifying, evaluating and delivering educational services at no cost to the student.
  • Students are responsible for self-identification an obtaining documentation from a professional who is qualified to make assessment of their disability. The university does not bear the cost of the assessment/evaluation.
Accommodations
  • Some subjects/classes are often waived before graduation, if they were related to the student's disability.
  • Students often received unlimited time for testing and the chance to retake the test if they have a disability.
  • The university has the right to maintain academic standards and no accommodations may be permitted to reduce the standard for ANY student.
  • Accommodations are determined based on the need of the student relating to his/her disability.
Self-Advocacy
  • Parents or legal guardians are usually the advocates for the student.
  • Students must be able to communicate what their needs are and be able to justify the requested services. The University does not initiate in identifying or delivery of services.
Parental Role
  • Parent or legal guardian has access to student's records and can participate in accommodation process.
  • Parents or legal guardians do not have access to student's records without written consent from student.

Accessibility Services Contact Information

Email: oas@lasierra.edu

Phone: 951-785-2452

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