The University of Tulsa

Center for Student Academic Support

Support Program for Students with Disabilities

Academic Support Program

The academic support program for students with disabilities is a component of the Center for Student Academic Support (CSAS). CSAS offers a comprehensive range of academic support services and accommodations for students with disabilities. We encourage prospective students and newly admitted students to contact our office to discuss their special needs. One of our major goals is to provide services which will, in combination with the resources and talents of the student, maximize the students’ independence for full participation in the TU curriculum and provide an opportunity to achieve career goals. The section 504/ADA coordinator for TU is Dr. Tawny Taylor, Director of CSAS.

Applying for Admission

As you fill out your TU application for admission, you will find a question about disability. While applicants are not required to disclose information about disabilities, they may voluntarily disclose or request information from CSAS about disability accommodations. In general, all applicants including those with disabilities must meet the admission requirements as stated in the TU Catalog. The university does not consider disabilities in its decision-making process, even if it knows of a disability, without a request and disclosure by the applicant.

If you desire to provide verification about your disability, please submit professional documentation, such as a letter from the diagnosing professional, and it should be sent to CSAS, Attention: Tawny Taylor, Ph.D. Disability documentation should be no more than three years old. CSAS may request more current or updated documentation if necessary for verification of disability accommodation needs.

Enrolled Students

The university policy relating to students with disabilities is published in the Student Handbook. The policy and related forms are available at CSAS and are subject to periodic review and revision by the university. Generally, the policy covers the following areas. For specific information, please refer to the policy as published.

Appropriate modifications or accommodations will be worked out on a case-by-case basis and will not necessarily incorporate all requested changes. Determination of eligibility and approval of educational accommodations will be made by an Eligibility Committee (including the 504/ADA Coordinator, at least one individual selected by the 504/ADA Coordinator and knowledgeable in the specific area of disability, an administrative representative from the college in which the student is enrolled, and an additional representative as determined appropriate by the 504/ADA Coordinator). This committee or its successor will also review all requests for changes in accommodations. The committee will provide a written accommodations statement for the specific academic area it deems appropriate, including library facilities. Faculty and other personnel will provide accommodations only according to the official written accommodations statement. This document will not cover accommodations for a student as an employee. Such accommodations must be separately requested through the Office of Human Resources.

Support Services and Accommodations

TU and CSAS provide reasonable academic-related and other accommodations for students with documented disabilities when there is a disability-related need for the accommodation. TU is in compliance with requirements under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Americans with Disabilities Act and Amendments. Students must provide sufficient disability documentation as determined by the 504/ADA Coordinator to CSAS before services or accommodations will be provided. It is the student’s responsibility to provide or pay for the cost of this documentation. After the appropriate documentation is received at CSAS, the student should make arrangements to meet with the 504 Coordinator or designee to discuss disability-related needs. TU reserves the right to determine the most effective and timely accommodation(s) after consultation with the student and appropriate health care providers, with the student’s permission, as the 504/ADA Coordinator deems essential.

There are detailed procedures for the use of the services or accommodations, and there are appropriate restrictions or limitations on some of the services and accommodations. Students should meet with CSAS staff to discuss these procedures and review the written information, and to resolve any problems with access to campus programs or activities. Certain services or accommodations may need more advanced planning and the student is urged to contact CSAS at least 3 weeks before the start of classes for any semester (or earlier, if possible). Policies and procedures are available on the CSAS website (www.utulsa.edu/CSAS) or at the CSAS office.

General Services and Accommodations

  • Pre-enrollment planning
  • Priority registration for classes, along with others entitled to priority registration
  • Consultation with faculty and students about disability accommodations for courses
  • Part-time enrollment, or reduced course-load if there is a disability-related need
  • Disability management advising
  • Advocacy for appropriate disability accommodations
  • Disability resource materials
  • Referral to other campus offices and resources
  • Referral to community resources
  • Group or individual tutoring (this is the only campus-based service to be provided at the student’s expense)
  • Assistive computing technology
  • Special seating locations in classes if necessary
  • Special CSAS workshops or seminars such as: study skills, study strategies, career decision making, job search skills and test preparation
  • Disability Awareness Student Committee

Learning Disabilities or Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder

  • Referral for assessment
  • Testing accommodations
  • Note taking assistance when arranged in advance per CSAS guidelines
  • Reading services and assistance in ordering taped textbooks via Learning Ally
  • Loan of cassette recorder/players (available on a limited basis)
  • Computer technology
  • Group or individual tutoring

Please Note: Students with Learning Disabilities or Attention Deficit Disorder are strongly urged to contact CSAS about the diagnostic testing guidelines for the TU eligibility committee. There are specific testing instruments and procedures that are required, and the diagnostic report must have been completed within the past three years.

Physical Disabilities or other Medical Conditions

  • On-campus transportation, accessible parking
  • Orientation to physical access features and routes
  • Access ramps to most facilities
  • Testing accommodations
  • Assistance with architectural barriers

Blind or Visually Impaired

  • Reading services and assistance ordering taped textbooks via Learning Ally and Access Text, assistance in locating readers to read other print material such as course handouts, library material, lecture notes
  • Document conversion (enlarged printing and scanning)
  • Loan of special equipment including cassette recorders/players
  • Assistive computer technology; Kurzweil Readers and CCTV’s

Deaf or Hearing Impaired

  • American Sign Language interpreting services when arranged in advance per CSAS guidelines
  • Oral interpreters when arranged in advance per CSAS guidelines
  • Note taking assistance
  • Assistive listening devices, TDD’s
  • Special seating in classes
  • Captioning (when available)

Campus Accessibility

TU is striving to make the campus accessible for students with mobility impairments. Please refer to the accessibility map to locate routes with the least restrictions. If for any reason a class or other campus activity is scheduled in an inaccessible location, the class or activity may be relocated upon request to the 504/ADA Coordinator, if the coordinator determines that the relocation is an appropriate accommodation.

Important Telephone Numbers

(918) Area Code

Admission Office

631.2307 -- Undergraduate

631.2336 – Graduate

631.2406 – Law

Advising Offices:

631.2244 – Arts and Sciences

631.2214 – Business

631.2223 – Engineering & Natural Sciences

Other Departments:

631.2241 – Alexander Health

Center

631.2000 – Campus Operator

631.2549 – Career Planning and Placement

631.2315 – Center for Student Academic Support

631.3131 – Computer Assisted Writing Center

631.2200 – Counseling and Psychology Services

631.2525 – Financial Aid

631.2253 – Registration and Records

631.2526 – Student Financial Services

631.2315 – Tutoring Program

631.2608 – Veterans Assistance

Additional Information:

Center for Student Academic Support

Lorton Hall, room 210

800 South Tucker Drive

Tulsa, OK 74104-3189

918.631.2315 (Voice)

918.631.3329 (TDD)

918.631.3459 (Fax)

For a confidential consultation, call

Dr. Tawny Taylor, 918.631.2315.

Nondiscrimination Statement: The University of Tulsa does not discriminate on the basis of personal status or group characteristics including but not limited to the classes protected under federal and state law in its programs, services, aids, or benefits. Inquiries regarding implementation of this policy may be addressed to the Office of Human Resources, 800 S. Tucker Drive, Tulsa, Oklahoma 74104-3189, (918) 631-2616. Requests for accommodation of disabilities may be addressed to the University's 504 Coordinator, Dr. Tawny Taylor, (918) 631-2315. To ensure availability of an interpreter, five to seven days' notice is needed; 48 hours is recommended for all other accommodations.

Revised January 2013