Mount Mercy University is committed to equal educational opportunity for all students. Disability reflects diverse characteristics and experiences and is an aspect of diversity integral to society. To that end, we collaborate with students, instructors, staff, and community members to create diverse learning environments that are accessible, equitable, inclusive and sustainable. Disability Services help assure individual support, technology assistance, alternative testing or other accommodations as appropriate.
According to The Americans with Disabilities Act (as amended) and Section 504 of the Vocational Rehabilitation Act (as amended), “a qualified student with a disability” is defined as a student who:
Has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities.
Has a record of such impairment or is regarded as having such an impairment.
Has met the admission requirements in both academic and technical standards to a post-secondary institution.
A community in which this universal charity reigns, is capable of surmounting all difficulties.
The Americans with Disabilities Act (as amended) and Section 504 Rehabilitation Act (as amended) provide guidelines for reasonable accommodations in higher education.
Reasonable accommodations may include modification of policies, practices, and procedures, provision and access to auxiliary aids and services, academic adjustments, and modification to the environment intended to remove barriers to equivalent access.
Reasonable accommodations are limited to those which do not cause an undue financial burden to the institution or a fundamental alteration to a course or program of study.
Reasonable accommodations will not compromise the essential elements of a course or curriculum or weaken the academic standards or integrity of degree programs at Mt. Mercy University.
Reasonable accommodations are identified and designed based on a student’s unique characteristics and needs and are determined on an individual basis.
Students who have previously received accommodations through an Individualized Education Program (IEP), a Section 504 Plan, or who believe they may have a physical or mental disability may be eligible for accommodations and support services through St. Ambrose University's Accessibility & Disability Services (A&DS) Office.
To request accommodations, academic adjustments, modifications, or support services, students must contact the A&DS Office and self-identify as an individual with a disability. While disclosure of a disability is voluntary, the University cannot evaluate eligibility for services or determine appropriate accommodations without this information.
Once a student discloses a disability, the A&DS Office will engage in an interactive process to determine whether the student meets the definition of a disability under applicable laws and regulations, and, if so, to identify reasonable accommodations, academic modifications, or adjustments that support equitable access to University programs and services. Please note that eligibility for services does not guarantee approval of any specific accommodation.
Students requesting accommodations will be asked to provide documentation that verifies the existence of a disability, consistent with the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and A&DS policies and procedures. Supporting documentation should clearly establish the presence of a disability as defined by applicable laws and regulations.
All disability-related documentation and accommodation records are maintained confidentially and do not become part of a student's academic transcript or general educational record.
Students are encouraged not to delay the accommodation request process while obtaining documentation. In some cases, temporary accommodations may be implemented while documentation is being reviewed and eligibility is being determined.
To begin the process of requesting disability services and accommodations, prospective students should complete the A&DS Prospective Student Form or please contact us at ads@sau.edu.
Appropriate and proper documentation is required to determine eligibility for disability-related accommodations at Mount Mercy University. Disability documentation should include the following:
Clear statement of the diagnosis or identified disability from a qualified medical provider.
Description of how the disability impacts the student’s major life activities which will be addressed with the accommodation plan (i.e. learning, reading, writing, hearing, vision, mobility, daily living, etc.).
Recommendations for reasonable accommodations which are appropriate at the postsecondary level.
Mount Mercy University accepts the following types of disability documentation:
A recent IEP, 504 Plan, Support for Accommodation Report (SAR) or Summary of Performance.
A recent psychoeducational or neuropsychological evaluation.
A letter from a current physician, psychologist, counselor, or other licensed professional.
A relevant medical record.
A copy of an accommodation letter from a previous college or university.
A Mount Mercy University student with an identified disability has the right to:
Request reasonable accommodations based on identified need and documentation recommendation(s).
Access MMU courses, facilities, activities, programs, services and jobs with equal opportunity as non-disabled members of the MMU community.
Maintain confidentiality of identified disability and disability documentation.
Access to campus environments, events and interactions that are accessible, equitable, inclusive and sustainable.
A Mount Mercy University student with an identified disability has the responsibility to:
Meet Mount Mercy University admission requirements as well as all technical, academic and university expectations and standards of the student’s chosen program.
Follow Mount Mercy University guidelines for behavior and conduct as outlined in the student handbook, The Good Book.
Notify the A&DS office of a request for accommodations and provide appropriate documentation verifying the need for accommodations.
Communicate with faculty in a reasonable timeframe before accommodations are required.
Notify A&DS promptly if a current accommodation plan is not effectively meeting the needs of the student.
Attend class regularly and meet all course requirement expectations.
Maintain open communication regarding academic progress with A&DS staff and faculty as needed.
Communicate with faculty members regarding self-disclosure of the disability accommodation plan.
Communicate with A&DS staff to update and renew their accommodation request each semester.
It takes an open minded individual to look beyond disability, and see that ability has so much more to offer than the limitations society tries to place upon them.
Creation and dissemination of knowledge is a defining characteristic of a university, fundamental to Mount Mercy University and our mission for learning. Using electronic delivery of such information is central to our mission. MMU strives to provide equal opportunity in all educational and administrative services, programs, and activities. Facilitating equal and effective access is the responsibility of all university staff and faculty.
It is the policy of MMU to make information technology resources and services, programs, services, and events reasonably accessible to all MMU students, faculty, staff and the general public. This includes all instructional or informative materials as well as the technology products that deliver the programs.