Students with Disabilities

Admission

When seeking admission to LeTourneau University, a student with a disability should be aware of the admissions standards.  The standard admissions criteria also apply to students with disabilities who are interested in attending.  Untimed SAT and ACT tests will be accepted.  A student may choose to reveal or choose not to reveal a disability in the application for admissions.  If revealed, the disability will not enter into the admissions decision.

Academic Program

LeTourneau University has no specific programs for students with disabilities.  The appropriate academic support, deemed reasonable and necessary by law, will be provided to students with documented disabilities that have been accepted according to the university's admissions criteria.  The student must understand that academic standards at LeTourneau University are rigorous.

A student may be considered unqualified for admission to a program if his/her disability would require individualized supervision or the lowering of program requirements.  No modifications will be made and no substitute courses will be accepted if they would fundamentally alter the nature of the educational program.  A requirement that is essential to a degree will not be waived.

Financial Aid

All financial aid including federal, state, or private grants; scholarships; and loans will be administered without discrimination to any student, regardless of disability, who is admitted to LeTourneau University.  The amount of financial aid may be affected by the reduced course load of any student, including that reduction which learning disabled students may require.

Self Identification

Students enrolled in an institution of higher education are required to self identify if they would like to request academic support services on the basis of a disability.  LeTourneau University encourages a student with a disability to self identify after admission and provide required documentation to the Director of Student Support Services.  Through self identification and the utilization of appropriate academic services, academic progress must be made.  Students needing facility adjustments must notify the Director of Student Support Services at 903-233-4451.

Documentation

Students are required to provide documentation of a disability to the Director of Student Support Services prior to the provision of academic support services or facility adjustments.  In the case of a medical disability of mobility, sensory, health, or physical limitations, a complete medical report and formal diagnosis from a physician is necessary.  The deadline for providing documentation is 30 days prior to the beginning of the initial semester, to allow time to provide adequate coordination of services.

In the case of a learning or psychological disability, acceptable documentation includes a psychoeducational evaluation and formal diagnosis performed by a licensed therapist who specializes in learning disabilities.  The evaluation must delineate the nature of the student's learning problem and describe any factors that entitle the student to academic support services.  Each evaluation must include an assessment of broad cognitive functioning (e.g. the WAIS R test), specific cognitive processing (discussing visual spatial abilities, auditory and visual memory, fine motor ability, executive functions, and selective attention), oral language ability, and achievement levels.  All scores must be reported and interpreted.

The physical or psychoeducational evaluations must also explain how the student's ability to perform routine school tasks is affected by the disability and recommend modifications that would be reasonable and necessary at LeTourneau University.  Documentation may be no more than three years old.

Academic Support

After appropriate documentation has been provided to the Director of Student Support Services, accommodation(s) will be determined on an individual basis dependent upon documented need for services and the university's assessment of the individual's need as related to his or her academic program.  These services may include liaison with faculty members, promotion of self-advocacy skills, and securing appropriate classroom accommodations.  Study skills counseling and some tutoring are also available.

At the student's request and upon receipt of a signed consent form, the Director of Student Support Services will contact the Office of the Provost or Graduate and Professional Studies who will notify the appropriate faculty of recommended specific accommodation(s).  The student will then meet with his or her instructors to discuss the accommodation(s).  Students must update their requests for accommodation(s) each semester by completing and returning the update form to the Director of Student Support Services in a timely manner.

Reasonable accommodation involves a level of shared responsibility, cooperation, and communication among faculty, staff, and students in order to ensure academic integrity and provide equal educational opportunities for students with disabilities.  Ultimately, the student is responsible to tell the Director of Student Support Services if adjustments are not working out well.

Students who receive academic auxiliary aids and services from the university, based on the university’s assessment of the need related to the academic program, will be required to apply for state and/or federal funds for which they may be eligible and to reimburse the university for expenses incurred.  Examples of those sources include but are not limited to the Texas Rehabilitation Commission, the Texas Commission for the Blind, or the Veterans Administration.