Disability Support Services
Admission
When seeking admission to LeTourneau University, a student with a disability should be aware of the admissions standards. The standard admissions criteria also apply to students with disabilities who are interested in attending. It is the student's prerogative to reveal the disability in the application for admissions. If revealed, the disability will not enter into the admissions decision.
Academic Program
LeTourneau University has no specific programs for students with disabilities. 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. Students must understand that academic standards at LeTourneau University are rigorous and programs are in an accelerated format.
A student may be considered unqualified for admission to a program if his/her disability would require individualized supervision or the lowering of program requirements. No modifications will be made and no substitute courses will be accepted if they would fundamentally alter the nature of the educational program. A requirement that is essential to a degree will not be waived.
Self-Identification
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. All prospective LeTourneau University students are encouraged to contact The Front Porch Department in the early stages of their college planning. Pre-admission services include meeting to provide information about eligibility for academic support services and accommodations, and appropriate documentation of the disability.
The admissions application process for students with disabilities is the same as that of other students. Disclosure of your disability is optional and voluntary. You may disclose your disability if you feel that your academic performance will be adversely affected due to circumstances pertaining to your disability. If you choose to disclose, provide that information on the Disability Disclosure form and attach it to the admissions application.
It is advisable to send documentation directly to The Front Porch Department. Your eligibility for services/accommodations is a separate process and is done independently of the admissions process. After documentation is reviewed, The Front Porch staff will notify you, acknowledging receipt of your documentation and your eligibility status.
Because courses are in an accelerated format, you must contact The Front Porch Department early in the admissions process, particularly if you have questions about what documentation is required for eligibility purposes for certain disabilities.
Certain recourses may not be available to you by your first course if you do not disclose your disability early in the process.
Documentation
Students are required to provide documentation of a disability to The Front Porch Department prior to the provision of academic support services or facility adjustments. The deadline for providing documentation is 60 days prior to the beginning of the initial semester, to allow time to provide adequate coordination of services.
Academic Support
After appropriate documentation has been provided to The Front Porch Department, accommodation(s) 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 his or her academic program. These services may include liaison with faculty members, promotion of self-advocacy skills, and securing appropriate classroom accommodations.
Any student with a documented disability seeking academic adjustments or accommodations must request the adjustment during the first week of class. Students should present the notification received from the Front Porch of their approved eligibility to the instructor. The instructor will work with the student to provide reasonable accommodations. It is expected that students will update their requests for accommodation(s), as needed, each semester by completing and returning the update form to the Director of The Front Porch in a timely manner.
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, it is the student's responsibility to tell the Director of The Front Porch if adjustments are not working out well.
Students who receive academic auxiliary aids and services from the university, based on the university’s assessment of the need related to the academic program, will be required to apply for state and/or federal funds for which they may be eligible and to reimburse the university for expenses incurred. Examples of those sources include but are not limited to the Texas Rehabilitation Commission, the Texas Commission for the Blind, or the Veteran’s Administration.
Please review the Disabilities Support Services handbook below for step-by-step assistance. We have also attached the most commonly used forms needed for disability verification purposes.
Disabilities Handbook and Forms
Use the links below to download the handbook and forms.
- Disability Support Services Handbook (PDF)
- ADHD Verification Form (PDF)
- Hearing Disability Verification Form (PDF)
- Learning Disability Verification Form (PDF)
- Medical Disability Verification Form (PDF)
- Mobility Disability Verification Form (PDF)
- Psychiatric Disability Verification Form (PDF)
- Student Disclosure Form (PDF)
- Vision Disability Verification Form (PDF)
