Office of Disability Services
Requesting Academic Accommodations at ODS
Miles College provides academic accommodations for students to ensure equal access. These accommodations are provided with guidance from Sections 503 and 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), as amended by the ADA Amendments Act of 2008, and other applicable federal and state regulations that prohibit discrimination on the basis of disability.
Under these laws, students with a documented disability have a right to receive reasonable accommodations.
Certificate of Disability
Getting Started with The Office of Disability Services
If you need disability accommodations while at Miles, you will be working with the Office of Disability Services (ODS). Our office works cooperatively with other departments to provide accommodations for students in and out of the classroom.
- Accommodations for Temporary Illness or Injury
- On-Campus Housing Accommodations
- Additional information for online students
- Documentation Requirements
Timeline and Services Offered
Timeline for Accommodation Requests
Making Timely Requests for Accommodations
Support services will not be available until requested by a student registered with ODS. To ensure sufficient time to provide accommodations, the student must submit their accommodation requests. Please allow two weeks from submission for all requests to be processed.
| Services Offered | Time Required |
|---|---|
| Interpreting, Real-time Captioning, Real-time Transcribing, Video Captioning, Classroom Relocation, Braille materials | Within 48 hours after registering for classes. |
| Accessible Furniture | At least three (3) weeks prior to the beginning of the new semester. |
| Classroom Assistant, Lab Assistant, Library Assistant | At least two (2) weeks prior to the beginning of the new semester. |
| Alternative Format (E-Text) | At least four (4) weeks prior to the beginning of the new semester. |
| Notetaking Services | Upon registration or one (1) week prior to the new semester. |
| Alternative Testing | Within 48 hours of registration or at minimum one week prior to exams. |
| Scheduling Exams with Disability Access Services | Minimum advance notice required for scheduling exams with ODS: Quizzes and Midterms - 5 business days |
| Accessible University Housing | Requests for accommodation from incoming students beginning Fall semester made before June 1 will be given priority. After June 1, requests for accommodation will be made as space is available. ODS and Residential Education recommend that you complete an accommodation request when you fill out your housing application. |
| Flexibility in Attendance and Assignments | At least one (1) week prior to the new semester. |
| Dining Accommodations ESA |
Mission
Miles College Office of Disability Services (ODS) collaborates with students, faculty, and staff to create a campus environment that is usable, equitable, sustainable, and inclusive to all students. The core responsibility of this office is to ensure that the institution maintains its compliance with federal regulations that protect the rights of individuals with disabilities in the educational environment. With that, the Office of Disability Services mission is to improve the education experience of students with disabilities and to enhance the understanding and support within the university through equitable access, accommodations, and the provision of programs and services.
Note: Disclosing your disability in the application process is not required. Applying for academic accommodations is a separate and confidential process through the ODS office.
Faculty Resources
Resources
Outside Community Resources
Contact Us
Office of Disability Services
Frank Mervin
Email: ada@miles.edu
Location: Learning Resources Center- LRC 402D
Phone Number: (205) 882-4541
Have more questions? Schedule an appointment.
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The College Section 504 Coordinator is Frank Mervin, Director of Disability Services
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Accommodations are modifications or changes that limit the impact of a person’s disability. In order to receive accommodations, you must provide documentation of your disability and how it impacts you in the academic environment. Once accommodations are determined, you are responsible for requesting your accommodations each academic year.
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No, you must complete a recertification. Each term students register for new classes and the professor changes. Those new professors have to be notified of your accommodations and this is done by recertification.
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Students who qualify for services must have a disability that substantially limits a major life activity. To request for services with the Office of Disability Services (ODS), a student is encouraged to provide current documentation of a disability. Documentation should include a specific diagnosis and be completed by a qualified licensed professional. If you feel you have a disability, but do not have any current documentation, you should still contact ODS for assistance.
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The student is responsible for getting the appropriate and current documentation to ODS. If testing or assessments need to be done, all cost incurred is the responsibility of the student.
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ODS does not provide evaluation services. We will, however, provide a list of testing centers in the Birmingham area that perform psycho-educational and neuropsychological assessments.
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Refer to the Housing Accommodations in the Housing Handbook
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Yes. Students with temporary disabilities must follow the same registration procedures as all other registered ODS students. Accommodations are approved on a temporary basis.
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There is no special application process for students with disabilities applying to Miles, although a student may voluntarily disclose their disability during the admissions process. Please understand that your disability has no impact on the admissions decision.
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Tutoring is located in the Tutoring Testing Center, on the fourth floor of the Learning Resources Center (LRC).
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Students who need to have a copy of their disability documentation forwarded to another party must complete a signed release. Please complete the release of information form and return to ODS.
Policy and Procedures for Residential Life and Housing Services
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Agencies administering professional exams (i.e. GRE, MCAT, LSAT, GMAT) or certification exams (i.e. NTE, CSW, Bar exam) typically require individuals seeking disability related accommodations to submit current documentation of disability and/or a test packet form completed by the postsecondary institution’s Center for Students with Disabilities. Disability Services must verify that the documentation of disability on file is current and complete and that the individual has used the requested accommodations while in attendance. Individuals seeking test accommodations approval for such an exam should contact Disability Services with the appropriate test information and forms.