Our Commitment

Lafayette College is committed to ensuring "reasonable accommodations" to students who are substantially limited by a documented disability. Lafayette students with physical and/or learning disabilities have met the same competitive requirements for admission as all other Lafayette students. Once admitted, students may request support services in accordance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1992 (ADA).

Students requesting academic accommodations are required to submit for review current documentation of their disability. It is important to note that carrying a medical diagnosis does not guarantee that one is considered disabled under the ADA. Students will realize their full potential and meet their greatest success when they are agents of their own experience.

Students with learning disabilities, attention deficit disorder, psychological disorders, chronic health impairments and students requesting assistance with academic concerns/accommodations should contact:

Due to the confidential nature of disability related issues, students must sign an authorized release form each semester in order to provide faculty with notification of their disability. Students who have disclosed their disability are encouraged to discuss the link between their disability and the requested accommodations with their professors during the first two weeks of classes. In order to provide faculty with ample notification to make arrangements for an exam accommodation that might require proctoring, students are asked to provide faculty with at least seven days notice prior to each exam.

• To not be denied access to a program offered by the College due to a disability.
• To receive reasonable accommodations that provide equal opportunity to learn and demonstrate knowledge.
• To not be counseled toward "more restrictive" career objectives.
• To receive assistance from the Office of the Dean of the College in removing physical, academic, and attitudinal barriers to participation and learning.
• To not be discriminated against due to a disability or receive retaliatory discrimination.

• To identify himself/herself to the Office of the Dean of the College.
• To provide acceptable documentation of disability.
• To provide a minimum of a two-week notice for all major accommodation requests (e.g., textbooks on tape, interpreters; special accommodations of equipment may require more time).
• To initiate requests for accommodations by discussing the letter of verification of disability with faculty within the first two weeks of the semester.
• To provide one-week notice to the instructor prior to each exam requiring accommodations.
• To assume personal responsibility for meeting with faculty, requesting assistance through supplemental services such as the College Writing Program and peer tutoring, and meeting the College's standards.
• To provide for one's personal independent living needs or other personal disability-related needs (e.g., personal attendants, professional tutors).