Cedar Crest College is committed to ensuring students with disabilities are welcomed as a part of our diverse community and that they have equal access to participate in all programs and services offered by the College.  The process of requesting and being approved for accommodations is an interactive one and requires student involvement.  Students who intend to request accommodations will need to:

“Self-identify”

• Meet with the Director of Student Accessibility Services 
• During this meeting the student will discuss a diagnosed condition, the functional limitations the student experiences as a result of this condition, and requests for accommodations (academic, residential and/or dining). This information will remain confidential within the office.
  • Please see this link regarding more information on the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).
• Students may receive accommodations due to the functional limitations caused by many types of conditions such as ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder, chronic health conditions, cognitive impairments, communication impairments, food allergies/insensitivity, hearing impairments/deafness, learning disabilities, physical/mobility issues, mental health conditions, brain injury/concussions, visual impairments/blindness and others.    
• May also provide accommodations to students with temporary conditions (concussions, physical injuries, etc.) as the need arises. 

 

Provide supporting documentation

• Students are not required to bring documentation to the initial meeting
• Documentation guidelines will be discussed and provided during the initial meeting
• Documentation guidelines are also available via this site (See Below)
• This information will remain confidential within the office.
• For more information regarding the process we use to determine whether the received documentation is acceptable, please see this flow chart

Documentation may be faxed to Academic Services (610-606-4673) or emailed to advising@cedarcrest.edu 

Once a student is approved for accommodations, the Director works closely with the student, the student’s instructors, and other departments (Residence Life/Housing, Student Affairs, Dining Services etc.) to coordinate provision of accommodations.   

Although accommodations may be requested at any time, it is advisable for incoming first year and transfer students to request accommodations several months in advance of the beginning of their first semester at Cedar Crest. 

Differences Between High School & College Accommodations 

Introduction to the Americans with Disabilities Act Brochure

Questions? Please contact Academic Services (advising@cedarcrest.edu; 610-606-4628).

Students with approved accommodations who have graduated, taken a leave of absence, or exited the College for any reason, will be placed in "Inactive" status. Such students must email or call Disability Resources (advising@cedarcrest.edu; 610-606-4628) to notify the office that they intend to re-enroll. Students should provide at least one weeks notice in order for staff to place them in "Active" status and generate Accommodation Letters.   

Students who are transferring to another institution may request both a copy of the supplemental documentation they provided Cedar Crest as well as a Summary of Accommodations Letter that will outline the time period for which the student received accommodations at Cedar Crest and the accommodations that were approved for the student. Requests for this documentation may be requested from Academic Services (610-606-4628, advising@cedarcrest.edu). 

Disability Resources does not typically notify instructors of student absences. If you are absent and need an instructor notified, please use the Absence Notification Request on the Student Affairs page of My Cedar Crest.

Your health is important! Health Services at Cedar Crest offers short term care for routine illness as well as short term counseling for students dealing with unexpected challenges in their lives. If you have a chronic physical or mental health condition for which you receive regularly scheduled long term care (medical appointments or treatment, therapy etc.), please make certain that you arrange for the same level of care, locally, while you are at Cedar Crest College. This may help you maintain your health and prevent “flare-ups” of your condition. Remember … throughout the years you attend college, you’ll be on campus more than you’ll be home!