Accessibility Services

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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

OAS exists to create an inclusive campus where students with disabilities can thrive academically, professionally, personally and spiritually. At our core, OAS strives to remove barriers and make space for equity, dignity, 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:

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

Our Vision

OAS envisions a campus where all students, regardless of ability, have equal access, feel valued, and are empowered to thrive and reach their highest potential.

Our Values

Student-centered support and advocacy
Equity
Growth
Empowerment
Collaboration

Additional Information & Resources

How to Register with OAS

Documentation of Disability

Animal Policies

Testing Center

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.

Appeals Policy & Procedure

Appeals Policy & Procedure
Appeal Form

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Application for Services

Contact Us

oas@lasierra.edu
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 Quarter housing assignments, requests must be submitted to Accessibility Services no later than September 1st. Accommodation requests submitted after September 1st 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.

Forms

This page includes forms that pertain to the daily operations of the Office of Accessibility Services. Deliver completed forms to Accessibility Services at oas@lasierra.edu . You may also call Accessibility Services at (951) 785-2452 for more information.

Differences Between High School and Higher Education

Category	High School	Higher 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.