Support Services

LeTourneau University accepts students who are able to engage in college-level studies and who also meet the admission criteria. LeTourneau University provides students with disabilities reasonable accommodations to give these individuals equal access to academic programs and the university experience. It is the student's prerogative to reveal the disability during the admission process; however, the knowledge of this disability will have no bearing on the admission decision. Extended-time SAT and ACT tests will be accepted for students with a documented disability that would make testing in this manner a necessity.

LeTourneau University has no specific academic programs for students with disabilities. The appropriate academic support, deemed reasonable and necessary by law, will be provided to the students with documented disabilities that have been accepted according to the school's admission criteria. All students must understand that academic standards at LeTourneau are rigorous. LeTourneau University will not lower academic program requirements or make any modifications that would alter the nature of the educational program.

ADMISSION

When seeking admission to LeTourneau University, a student with a disability should be aware of admission standards. The standard admissions criteria also apply to students with disabilities who are interested in attending LETU. Extended time SAT and ACT tests will be accepted. A student may choose to self-disclose a disability in the application for admissions. If self-disclosed, the disability will not enter into the admissions decision.

ACADEMIC PROGRAM

The appropriate academic support, deemed reasonable and necessary by law, will be provided to students with documented disabilities that have been accepted according to the University's admissions criteria. LETU has no specific programs for students with disabilities; however, the University provides students with disabilities reasonable accommodations in order to provide all students equal access to academic programs and the university experience. The University is unable to lower program requirements, provide individualized supervision, or make modifications or substitute courses if the modification or substitution would fundamentally alter the nature of the educational program. Additionally, requirements that are essential to earning a degree cannot be waived.

FINANCIAL AID

All financial aid including federal, state, or private grants; scholarships; and loans will be administered without discrimination to all students, regardless of disability, who is admitted to LeTourneau University. For all LETU students, the amount of financial aid awarded is affected by a reduced course load; students with disabilities who choose a reduced course load should be aware that financial aid is affected.

SELF-IDENTIFICATION

Students with disabilities are encouraged to self-identify after admission and provide required documentation to the Director of Student Achievement. Students enrolled in an institution of higher education are required to self-identify if they would like to request academic support services on the basis of a disability. Students who need facility adjustments must notify the Director of Student Achievement.

DOCUMENTATION

Students are required to provide documentation of a disability to the Director of Student Achievement prior to the provision of academic support services or facility adjustments. Documentation must be no more than three years old. In the case of a medical disability of mobility, sensory, health, or physical limitations, a complete medical report and formal diagnosis from a physician is necessary. The deadline for providing documentation is 60 days prior to the beginning of the initial semester to allow time to provide adequate coordination of service. A student who wishes to identify himself or herself as having a disability must provide documentation of the disability and complete an Accommodation Request and Consent Form.

In the case of a learning or psychological disability, acceptable documentation includes a psychoeducational evaluation and formal diagnosis performed by a licensed therapist who specializes in learning disabilities. The evaluation must delineate the nature of the student's learning problem and describe any factors that entitle the student to academic support services.

Each evaluation must include an assessment of broad cognitive functioning (e.g. the WAIS R test), specific cognitive processing (discussing visual spatial abilities, auditory and visual memory, fine motor ability, executive functions, and selective attention), oral language ability, and achievement levels. All scores must be reported and interpreted. The physical or psychoeducational evaluations must also explain how the student's ability to perform routine school tasks is affected by the disability and recommend modifications that would be reasonable and necessary at LETU.

ACADEMIC SUPPORT

After appropriate documentation has been provided to the Director of Student Achievement, accommodations will be determined on an individual basis dependent upon documented need for services and the University's assessment of the individual's need as related to the chosen academic program. These services may include liaison with faculty members, promotion of self-advocacy skills, and securing appropriate classroom accommodations. All LETU students have access to study skills counseling and some tutoring. At the student's request and upon receipt of a signed consent form, the Director of Student Achievement will notify the appropriate faculty of recommended specific accommodations. The student will then meet with instructors to discuss the accommodation. Students must update their requests for accommodations each semester by completing and returning the update form to the Director of Student Achievement prior to the start of each semester. Reasonable accommodation involves a level of shared responsibility, cooperation, and communication among faculty, staff, and students in order to ensure academic integrity and provide equal educational opportunities for students with disabilities. Ultimately, the student is responsible for notifying the Director of Student Achievement if adjustments are not working well.

QUALIFICATIONS OF THE EVALUATOR

A qualified professional with training and experience relevant to the diagnosed disability must complete the documentation provided. Physical disabilities are most often verified by physicians -- psychological and emotional disabilities by psychologists or psychiatrists, and learning disabilities by psychologists or educational diagnosticians. This professional should be an impartial individual who is not a family member of the student.

COST

All costs incurred in securing documentation are at the expense of the student seeking accommodations.

DOCUMENTATION OF THE DISABILITY

The provision of all reasonable accommodations and services is based upon assessment of the impact of the student's disabilities on his or her academic performance at a given time in a student's life. Therefore, it is in the student's best interest to provide recent and appropriate documentation relevant to the student's learning environment. For disabilities that may change substantially with time, such as learning or psychological disabilities, evaluations should be recent. In order to demonstrate the current impact of the disability and to identify appropriate accommodations, learning disability documentation less than three years old is required, and documentation of psychological disabilities may need to be even more recent. For other disabilities, documentation that is older than three years may be considered if the diagnosis is not affected by maturation, time or coping strategies.

The Director of Student Achievement may request additional information or updated evaluations, at the student's expense, if necessary to make a decision about eligibility or appropriate accommodations. The Director of Student Achievement does not conduct disability evaluations but may refer students to qualified off-campus professionals who do.

FORMAT OF THE DOCUMENTATION

All documentation must be submitted in writing. The documentation should be submitted on the professional's letterhead and be dated and signed. The documentation must be comprehensive, including (when appropriate) history, diagnostic interviews, test results (including standardized test scores when available), differential diagnosis and details regarding the student's functional limitations. Strengths, weaknesses and deficits should be specifically discussed. Clear documentation of deficit areas is necessary in order for colleges to provide appropriate accommodations.

SPECIFIC ACCOMMODATION INFORMATION REQUIRED

Professionals supplying documentation must specify what accommodations are being requested and how the lack of these accommodations would substantially limit one or more major life activity of the student.

SUBMITTING DOCUMENTATION

Documentation of disabilities and recommended accommodations may be submitted to the Director of Student Achievement. Documentation may be emailed to ada@letu.edu or faxed to 903-233-4401 to the attention of Vernessa Gentry.

Students enrolled at LeTourneau University are required to self-identify if they would like to request accommodations from the Achievement Center. Students with a diagnosed disability are encouraged to self-identify after admission and provide proper documentation to the Director of Student Achievement. Through this process of self-identification and the utilization of appropriate academic and facility enhancements, it is the goal of this office to aid in the success of the student.

Reasonable accommodations involve a level of shared responsibility, cooperation and communication among faculty, staff and students in order to ensure academic integrity and provide equal educational opportunities for students with disabilities.

Ultimately, it is the student's responsibility to inform the Director of Student Achievement if any adjustments that have been made are not working well. It is also expected that at the beginning of each semester the student will again inform the Director of the continued need for accommodations or if any approved modifications need to be made.

Below is a list of some of the resources available for testing of certain disabilities. LeTourneau University neither provides testing nor recommends anyone in particular. This list is merely an attempt at providing a possible starting place for your search for qualified specialists in given areas. This list contains the names of some local physicians, a diagnostic center in Plano, Texas, and several websites that may be of help. Further investigation on your part will be needed to determine cost, area of expertise and other factors that will aid in your decision.

PROFESSIONALS WHO OFFER SOME FORMS OF TESTING:

• Dr. Charles Fries - Tyler, Texas 903-526-5550
• Dr. Barbara Modisette - Longview, Texas 903-738-4377
• SMU School of Education and Human Development - Plano, Texas 214-768-7323

WEBSITES THAT MAY BE HELPFUL:

• Learning Disabilities Association of Texas - ldatx.org
  Information about learning disabilities, resources and more.
• National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) - www.nami.org
  Information about mental health issues, links to support groups and training resources.
• National Mental Health Information Center - www.mentalhealth.gov
  Information on a wide range of mental health topics, suicide prevention information and mental health related links.
• Texas Health and Human Services Commission - hhs.texas.gov
  Oversight of designated agencies, such as the Division of Rehabilitative Services (DARS) and the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC). Site also contains information about Texas Medicaid program.
• Social Security Online - www.ssa.gov
  Federal website for obtaining information about and applying for Social Security benefits, including disability and Medicare.