Disabilities Accommodation Information

Western Seminary is committed to responding to the needs of students with disabilities as outlined in both the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.

 

Disability Services at Western Seminary is committed to providing students with disabilities equal access to programs and services on our campus to reach their full academic and ministry potential. We work to create an environment where students with disabilities on our campus are welcomed, valued, and respected by all members of our community. Western students are assisted individually as their needs dictate. Some of the learning support services provided for students at Western include arrangements with professors for extended time on tests, helping to arrange private testing, and assisting students to secure taped texts and other materials.

By federal law (Section 504 of the Rehabilitation of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990), a person with a disability is any person who:

  1. Has a physical or mental impairment;
  2. Has a record of such impairment; or
  3. Is regarded as having such an impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities such as self-care, walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing, or learning.

Disability Services reviews requests for academic accommodations due to a disability and makes recommendations as appropriate. The information you provide regarding your disability will be kept confidential and will only be used in connection with the Seminary's remedial obligations. This information will not subject you to any adverse treatment and will not be factored into your admission decision.

Application for Accommodations

What is the process for receiving accommodations?

  1. Complete the questionnaire for ADA accommodation.
  2. Request completion of ADA documentation from a licensed professional.
  3. Submit both the questionnaire and documentation to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
  4. The Disabilities Coordinator will contact the student in regards to accommodation options and additional documentation if needed.
  5. If approved, a letter outlining the student's accommodations will be generated to the student's professors at the beginning of each term.
  6. Ongoing support and communication from the Disabilities Coordinator with the student will take place each semester.

    *If requested by the Disabilities Coordinator, please complete and submit the Audio Recorded Lecture Policy Agreement.

View our disabilities policies and procedures

What process do I undergo to be tested for a disability?

If you think you might have a disability but have never been tested, contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to discuss testing options off-campus. Due to the expertise and time involved, some tests may have a fee, which is the responsibility of the student.

Documentation for disabilities (including learning disabilities) may be provided only by qualified medical, educational, or psychological professionals. Except when there is a reasonable expectation that the nature and needs of the disability may not have changed, such documentation must reflect assessment done within the past 3–5 years.

Grievance Procedures

If a student feels they are being treated inappropriately based on their disability by any department or employee and has been unable to resolve the issue, that student is encouraged to follow these steps:

1. Meet with the Disabilities Coordinator.

2. If a satisfactory solution cannot be reached with the coordinator, the student may initiate a formal complaint with the Dean of Faculty by putting the complaint in writing to the Dean of Faculty's office at the Portland campus. A written complaint should include information regarding the action being complained of, the date it occurred, details about the action, and the relief requested. The complaint must be sent to the Dean within 30 days of the time the action occurred.

3. The Dean will investigate the complaint or assign an appropriate person to investigate the complaint. The investigation will include an interview with the student, a review of any relevant written materials, and interviews with (or a written statement from) relevant persons. The investigation will be completed within 30 days of the time the student submitted the complaint to the Dean at which point the Dean will provide the student with a written decision on the complaint.

Note: Time frames may be extended for a reasonable cause with the agreement of the complainant.