Student Life

Policies for Students with Documented Disabilities 

Saint Joseph’s University does not offer a formal program for students with disabilities. The University is committed to full compliance with the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504) and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) and employs a Director, Disability Support Specialist and an Administrative Assistant for Students with Disabilities.  As part of the implementation of this law, the University will provide reasonable academic adjustments for “qualified students” so that they may participate fully in the University’s educational programs and activities.  The University is not required by law to change the “fundamental nature or essential curricular components of its programs in order to accommodate the needs of disabled students”.  An applicant whose record of achievement and potential for success in a rigorous liberal arts and sciences curriculum, who compares favorably with other qualified applicants, may be admitted without regard to his or her disability.

Documentation Requirements

Documentation must be current (within 3 years) and completed by a professional qualified to do so.  The documentation must validate the need for services based upon the candidate’s current level of functioning in the educational setting.  

Professionals conducting assessments and rendering diagnosis and making recommendations for accommodations must be qualified to do so.  It is of utmost importance that they are sensitive and respectful of cultural and linguistic differences.  Qualifications:

1. Learning Disabilities – The following professionals would generally be considered qualified: clinical or educational psychologists, school psychologist, neuropsychologist, learning disabilities specialists and medical doctors with training and experience in the assessment of learning problems in adolescents and adults.  Educational Testing Services, Office of Disability Policy
2. Attention Deficit Disorder/ADHD – The following professionals would generally be considered qualified:  psychologists, neuropsychologists, psychiatrists and “other relevantly trained medical doctors – ETS
3. Psychiatric Disabilities is a generic term used to refer to a variety of conditions involving psychological, emotional and behavioral disorders. – The following professionals would generally be considered qualified:  psychiatrist, psychologist, neuropsychologist, neuropsychiatrist, “other relevantly trained medical doctors, clinical social workers, licensed counselors and psychiatric nurse practitioners.”
4. Physical Disabilities – in the case of a physical disability the documentation must include a diagnosis and limitations if any – The following professionals would generally be considered qualified:  medical doctors, osteopathic doctors and “practitioners of the healing arts”.