Graduate Catalog (2026-2027)

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Academic Accommodations for Students with Disabilities

It is the practice of Southern Wesleyan University to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as well as with state and local requirements regarding students and applicants with disabilities. Under these laws, no qualified individual with a disability will be denied access to or participation in any services, programs or activities of SWU.

Accessing Accommodations through Support Services

Students with a qualifying disability who wish to request accommodations at SWU will need to:

  • Contact the Student Success Coordinator to schedule an appointment for an intake meeting;

  • Be prepared to provide current and appropriate formal documentation of your disability.

Formal documentation may be mailed, emailed or hand-delivered to the Student Success Coordinator before or at the time of the intake meeting. Contact information is provided below.  Accommodations do not begin until this process is completed; consequently, in order to start the semester with accommodations, this meeting should take place and the information should be provided to the Student Success Coordinator prior to classes starting.

Student Success Coordinator
Southern Wesleyan University
PO Box 1020
SWU Box 1994
Central, SC 29630

learningcenter@swu.edu

Accommodations are determined based on the individual’s documentation and needs.  Accommodations may include but are not limited to:

  • extended time on test-time and a half or double time depending on documentation;

  • alternative/private testing location;

  • copies of notes and/or PowerPoint presentations;

  • ability to record lectures using recorder of Smartpen;

  • have test read aloud;

  • preferential seating.

Required Documentation

All documentation must be current in order to be acceptable. In order to be considered current, the documentation must fall within the following time frames:

  • Within 3 years for learning disabilities and all other disabilities (This does not apply to physical or sensory disabilities of a permanent or unchanging nature.);

  • Within 1 year for psychiatric disabilities.

Documentation should be typed on official letterhead, dated and signed by a qualified and credentialed professional. Documentation provided on a prescription pad is not acceptable. The documentation should include the following:

  • A diagnostic statement identifying the disability with its DSM-IV Diagnostic notation;

  • A description of the diagnostic methods used along with copies of test results;

  • A description of the student’s current functional limitations;

  • A description of the expected progression of the disability, if relevant;

  • A description of current and past accommodations, services and/or medications;

  • Recommendations for accommodations, strategies and/or service.

Student disability and accommodations records are treated as confidential information under applicable federal and state laws as well as University policies.  Information is provided only to support individuals on a need-to-know basis.

Process for Obtaining Services

  1. The student contacts the Student Success Coordinator to schedule an intake meeting to discuss accommodations;

  2. An intake meeting is completed in which documentation is reviewed and a determination is made regarding reasonable accommodations.  If the documentation is deemed incomplete, a request for additional information will be made;

  3. The Student Success Coordinator sends the appropriate instructor an email notification about the approved accommodations for the student.  A copy of this notification is sent to the student;

  4. The instructor reviews the accommodations and confers with the student and the Student Success Coordinator as needed;

  5. After the accommodations have been approved, it is the student’s responsibility to introduce himself or herself to the instructor on the first day of class and to provide further information the student deems necessary;

  6. The Student Success Coordinator and instructor will address any issues that arise with providing the requested accommodations;

  7. The student must meet with the Student Success Coordinator at the beginning of each semester to renew his or her request for accommodations.

Students who find services to be unsatisfactory or who wish to file a grievance should contact the Student Success Coordinator at 864-644-5036 or learningcenter@swu.edu.