Student Disability Services

Facilities Available to Students with Disabilities

Disability Support Services

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) expanded the definition of a disability in 2008. The new law allows for more people and more types of disabilities to be included under the law. However, the law also expanded the proof required (documentation) to be eligible to receive accommodations, support services or academic adjustments. The International Institute of Orthotics and Prosthetics is committed to compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and its regulations. The International Institute of Orthotics and Prosthetics does not discriminate based on disability in admission or access to, or treatment or employment in, its programs and activities. The International Institute of Orthotics and Prosthetics Director is designated the International Institute of Orthotics and Prosthetics’ Student Disability Coordinator and coordinates Section 504 compliance. Applicants or students with a disability may request an accommodation by contacting the International Institute of Orthotics and Prosthetics Director. NOTE: The law stipulates that in the post-secondary setting, a student does not qualify for services until they have obtained proper documentation, registered with the Program Director in the Administrative Office, and given a copy of the Program Director’s accommodation letter to each instructor. Be advised, if a student expects to be accommodated for any national certification and/or state licensing board, they will be required to submit the same detailed documentation required by the International Institute of Orthotics and Prosthetics. Also, disability law generally requires documentation to be no older than three years.

Specific Documentation Guidelines

These documents provide guidelines necessary to establish the impact of the disability on the individual’s educational performance and participation in other Institute programs and activities, and to validate the need for accommodations. Submitted information must be current and comprehensive to avoid unnecessary delays in granting the accommodations. Students may be asked to provide updated comprehensive information if their condition is potentially changeable and/or previous documentation does not include sufficient relevant information. Depending upon the type of disability, students will need to obtain the documentation form that corresponds to their disability from the Administrative Office from. The form must be read carefully, completed by a licensed or properly credentialed specialist related to the disability/disabilities. The disability specialist selected must complete the entire form or the student will not be able to be accommodated by the International Institute of International Institute of Orthotics and Prosthetics Catalog 2025 – 2026 12 | P a g e Orthotics and Prosthetics Disability Support Services. Below are disability documentation forms and the type of licensed or credentialed specialist who is qualified to evaluate the student and complete the form:

Obtaining Disability Accommodations

  • Students with disabilities who wish to receive accommodations or services must formally request services, including accommodations from the Learning Support Specialist, and submit the appropriate documentation for their disability. The disability form may be obtained from the administrative office.

  • Requests for services or accommodation should be made early (prior to the start of the semester or very early in the semester) to allow time to review requests and documentation and make proper arrangements. Accommodation arrangements may be compromised or denied if a request is not made in a timely manner.

  • Accommodations are determined on a case-by-case basis considering the learning needs of the student, the requirements of the learning task, the course standards and essential requirements, and the educational environment. • The Learning Specialist will issue a letter describing accommodations the Institute will provide. Students are responsible for giving a copy of the letter to their instructor and for scheduling any accommodated exams.

  • The Institute reserves the right to deny services or accommodations if documentation does not comply with its published guidelines for service eligibility, e.g., the student does not meet the criteria of ADA or Section 504, or documentation is out-of-date or incomplete. Students will be given the opportunity to supplement the initial documentation with more information from an appropriately licensed or credentialed authority.

  • The Institute is not required to provide an accommodation that compromises the essential requirements of a course or program, imposes an undue financial burden based upon the Institute’s overall institutional resources, or poses a threat to the health or safety of the student or to others.

Student Appeal

  • Students who feel their disability has not been reasonably accommodated should seek redress through the following grievance procedure:

  • Discuss the issue with the Program Director, who shall seek to resolve it informally. • If this fails, the Program Director shall report the dispute to the President.

  • The President shall make a final decision and notify the student of the outcome.