Disability Accommodations at Graceland University
Graceland University is committed to providing equal access to academic programs, housing, dining, and campus life for students with disabilities. Through Student Disability Services (SDS), we work with students to identify reasonable accommodations that remove barriers while maintaining the integrity of Graceland’s academic programs.
Understanding the Transition from High School to College
The process for receiving disability accommodations in college is different from what many students experience in K–12 education. At Graceland, accommodations are designed to provide access, not to guarantee academic outcomes.
This page is intended to help students and families understand what changes after high school and how to successfully request accommodations at Graceland.
Access vs. Success: What’s the Difference?
In High School (K–12)
- Focus is often on ensuring student success
- Curriculum may be modified
- Supports are proactive and built into the school day
- Schools typically initiate and manage accommodations
At Graceland University
- Focus is on equal access to programs and services
- Reasonable accommodations remove barriers
- Academic standards and essential course requirements are not modified
- Students are responsible for requesting and managing accommodations
Laws That Apply
High School
- Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
- Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act
College (Including Graceland)
- Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
- ADA Amendments Act (ADAAA)
- Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act
Documentation: What Changes?
In High School
- Schools typically provide:
- IEPs or 504 Plans
- Required evaluations
- Evaluations are provided at no cost
At Graceland University
Students are responsible for:
- Submitting documentation of a disability
- Ensuring documentation describes:
- The diagnosed disability
- Current level of functioning
- Functional limitations in an academic or campus setting
- Important Notes
- IEPs and 504 Plans are helpful for additional background information and may not be sufficient on their own
Roles & Responsibilities
Student Responsibilities at Graceland
- Self-identify to Student Disability Services
- Request accommodations
- Follow SDS policies and procedures
- Communicate with professors using approved accommodation letters
- Advocate for themselves, with support from SDS
Parent / Guardian Role
- In college, the student is the primary point of contact
- Students decide whether and how parents are involved
- SDS supports student self-advocacy and independence
Teachers vs. Professors: What to Expect
High School Teachers
- May modify curriculum or assignment pace
- Provide frequent assessments
- Monitor attendance and progress closely
- Initiate communication with families
Graceland Professors
- Do not alter fundamental course requirements
- Teaching formats may vary by instructor
- Grades are often based on fewer, higher-stakes assessments
- Students are responsible for:
- Monitoring progress
- Requesting meetings
- Following attendance and course policies
Grades & Accommodations
- Accommodations provide access, not guaranteed outcomes
- Grades reflect the quality of work submitted
- Accommodations may include:
- Extended testing time
- Alternative testing environments
- Note-taking support
- Course standards and learning outcomes remain the same
How to Request Academic Accommodations
Step 1: Submit an Accommodation Request
Step 2: Submit Documentation
- Documentation must be from a qualified medical or mental health professional
- Be on professional letterhead with qualified provider’s signature
- Describe the disability, functional limitations, and recommendations
- Be current (older documentation may be reviewed case-by-case)
- Not be written by an immediate family member
- Where to Send Documentation
Step 3: Meet with Student Disability Services
- SDS will contact you to schedule an intake meeting
- Accommodations are not finalized until this meeting occurs
- If you miss your appointment, you will need to reschedule with SDS staff
Documentation Guidelines by Disability Type
- ADD / ADHD
- Medical or Physical Disabilities (including allergies/asthma)
- Neurodevelopmental Disabilities / Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Psychiatric Disorders
- Specific Learning Disabilities
Housing Accommodations
All Other Housing Accommodations
- Requests are due June 1 each academic year
- Submit the Accommodation Request Form and describe your housing need
- Have your provider complete the GU Housing Accommodation Form
- The Special Housing Review Committee reviews requests confidentially
- SDS notifies you of the decision and next steps
Emotional Support Animals (ESA)
Important Requirements
- Documentations must be provided by a licensed mental health professional
- Permitted only in the student’s assigned living space
- Not allowed in classrooms, dining areas, or common spaces
ESA Request Timeline
- Fall Semester: Notify SDS by May 31
- Spring Semester: Notify SDS by November 1
- Do not bring an animal to campus until approval is granted
ESA Approval Process
Step 1: Submit an accommodation request through SDS
Step 2: Submit ESA documentation
Step 3: Provide animal-specific documentation to Residence Life
Step 4: Meet with Residence Life for final approval
Service Animals in Campus Housing
Students who qualify for accommodations are encouraged to contact the Office of Student Disability Services before classes start or as early as possible. The office will work with the course instructor and the student to arrange for reasonable accommodations. Students are required at their own expense to provide documentation verifying disability. All information for accommodations can be found here.
Contact your student disability services coordinator:
Lamoni Campus
Academic Accommodations
Housing, ESA, and Dietary Accommodations
Independence Campus & Online Programs
