Office of Disability Services (ADA)

The Office of Disability Services (ADA) is in charge of approving academic accommodations for students with disabilities. Each student is evaluated and considered different based on personal needs and actual limitations. Faculty and staff at Heritage University work closely with the Office of Disability Services to ensure students have access to academic programs, services, events and all activities on campus. Students are responsible for contacting the Office of Disability Services to formally request specific academic accommodations.

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Requesting Accommodations

There is a formal process for students seeking reasonable academic accommodations at Heritage University. Please read carefully and complete the following steps:

• Download and fill out the application form to request ADA services on campus. Please click on the tab “Forms” to find the application.
• Read the guidelines and procedures to understand ADA limitations on ability support services and the processes involved for approval.
• Schedule and appointment for an intake and assessment with the ADA Specialist. These evaluations can be done over-the-phone for regional site students or in-person for students attending classes on main campus.
• You must submit medical documentation of your disabilities such as an Individualized Education Plan (IEP), medical documentation stating a formal ICD-10 or DSM-5 diagnostic that verifies your permanent or temporary disability.
• Records can be faxed at 509-865-2150
• Mail to: Heritage University, Office of Ability Services
  3240 Fort Rd., Toppenish, WA 98948

•  E-mail to:Officeofdisabilityservices@heritage.edu
•  Drop off application and all documentation in person at the Office of Disability Services located in the Violet Lumley Rau Center, Office 1742.

During the intake appointment, the ADA Specialist will review supporting documentation and conduct an assessment about the student’s needs and request of academic accommodations. During this appointment, the student and the ADA Specialist will discuss history of disabilities, previous accommodations in other institutions, possible barriers to access on-campus programs, activities, services, and other student events.
Heritage University adheres with the American with Disabilities Act of 1990, and thus, evidence of disability must be presented for eligibility and approval of academic accommodations. Any relevant documentation and medical records must be signed by a licensed professional or licensed physician formally stating a medical diagnosis or stating the student’s disability/s.

In a collaborative manner, the student and the ADA Specialist will determine which reasonable academic accommodations are most appropriate and available to the student while attending classes at Heritage University.

The ADA Specialist will then generate a formal letter of accommodation that will be send out electronically to faculty members teaching the classes in which the student is enrolled for the semester. Often, students are also given the choice to present a hard copy of the letter to faculty and in cases in which the student wishes to have more privacy and confidentiality regarding their disabilities and accommodations.