Disability Services and Educational Access

Please complete the intake form if this is your first time requesting services through our office; you will receive an email with the next steps once this form is completed. 

Access Plan Request Form (Intake Form)

Please complete this form if you have a temporary illness or injury and are in need of accommodations. Our office will reach out accordingly once submitted. Classroom accommodations are typically not needed for short-term illnesses, such as the flu, sinus infections, mononucleosis, or strep throat. The primary academic impact of these illnesses is absences. As such, they are not accommodated through DSEA. Students with such short-term illnesses should seek treatment from their healthcare provider or the Student Health Center as soon as possible and communicate with their professors about any potential academic impact resulting from the illness. 

Student athletes, please see your trainer to begin the temporary accommodations process.

Temporary Illness Accommodations Request Form

How to gain approval for an Emotional Support Animal (ESA):

1. Complete the Access Plan Request Form (Intake Form); if you already have an active file with our office, you can move to step two.
2. Read Emotional Support Animal and Service Animal Policy and Guidelines. Complete and return appropriate documents to the DSEA office. 
3. Have your medical/mental health care provider complete the Emotional Support Animal Documentation Request Packet and return the completed packet to the DSEA office. 
4. Wait for correspondence from DSEA for approval and/or next steps.

Deadlines for Emotional Support Animal Applications:

 Incoming Students: 

 Fall Semester Entry - July 15 

 Spring Semester Entry - December 1 

 Returning Students: 

 Fall Semester Entry - April 1 

 Spring Semester Entry - November 1 

Reminder: ESA's are not allowed on campus until you receive documentation of approval from the Office of Disability Services and Educational Access.

The Disabilities Services & Educational Access Office at Harding University needs documentation for your disability that consists of a recent evaluation by an appropriate professional that describes the current impact of your disability. 

Documentation should include (as it relates to your disability):

• A clear, diagnostic statement identifying the disability, date of the current diagnostic evaluation, and the date of the original diagnosis.

• A description of the diagnostic criteria and/or diagnostic test(s) used for evaluation.

• A description of the current functional impact of the disability.

• The treatments, medications, assistive devices/services currently prescribed or in use.

• A description of the expected progression and/or stability of the impact of the disability over time.

• The credentials of the diagnosing professional(s).

• Any additional information that would help support and identify the need for requested academic accommodations.

We reserve the right to request additional documentation if deemed necessary. The DSEA is committed to keeping disability-related information confidential in accordance with state and federal laws (ADA/504 compliance).

In advance of or during the first meeting with DSEA, students are encouraged to provide any documentation that they would like considered in the development of their accommodation plan. Documentation may include psychoeducational evaluations, IEPs, 504 plans, or letters from physicians and counselors.

Suggested Documentation Elements:

1. Typed on letterhead, dated, and signed by a qualified professional 2. Diagnostic Statement with any related diagnostic methodology 
2. Functional impact or symptoms 
3. Severity and/or expected progression 
4. Current medication(s) and any related side effects 
5. Current and/or past accommodations 
6. Any recommended accommodations

Our priority is meeting with students and beginning the accommodations process for them as soon as possible. Please do not delay meeting with SDS out of concern for not having the correct documentation. If applicable, the Coordinator will discuss with the student any specific documentation that is still needed during the Access Plan Meeting. Provisional accommodations may be provided to allow students time to procure any needed documentation. All documentation is confidential. 

The Office of Disability Services & Educational Access (DSEA) is committed to providing timely, secure proctoring services to our campus community. In order to effectively serve the needs of our students and faculty members, we adhere to the following guidelines for implementing test accommodations: 

• The student must be registered with DSEA and have the current semester’s letter of accommodation on file. 

• Students should notify their instructor(s) in advance of the scheduled exam for which they plan to use an approved testing accommodation. Instructors should communicate to their students how much notice is required. Students should refer to the course syllabus or contact the instructor if they are unsure of the instructor’s expectations. 

• Identifying an appropriate time for testing is a shared responsibility between the student and the instructor. Generally, we cannot offer the option of taking an exam outside of the scheduled class time without approval from the instructor. Recognizing scheduling conflicts may arise, DSEA will proctor exams at other times upon notification from the instructor. A phone call or e-mail from the faculty member will suffice as proper notification. 

• All exams must be scheduled in advance of the test time/date. Students may schedule their exam time if they are testing simultaneously with the regularly scheduled class. 

• Students should call 501-279-4019 or stop by DSEA to confirm the test time(s).

• Faculty or designated staff are responsible for ensuring the test is delivered to DSEA. Delivery may be in person or via e-mail (disabilityservices@harding.edu). If assistance is needed, please call 501-279-4019. 

• DSEA hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Tests may be scheduled during the following times: Monday - Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. If a student schedules and begins an exam near the end of the day, the student will forfeit any remaining time after 5 p.m. 

• Students should arrive on time for their scheduled exam. Students who are unable to make their appointment are expected to notify their instructor and Testing Services as soon as possible. 

• Cell phones, smartwatches, fitness bands/trackers, and all devices with recording, internet, or communication capabilities that are 1) not related to approved accommodations through DSEA; or 2) are not approved prior to the exam by the instructor for purposes of the exam, are prohibited in testing spaces. Space is provided for the storage of these and other personal items (including, but not limited to, hats, purses, backpacks, food, and drinks) during testing. This policy is in place to protect the student(s) and the integrity of the testing process and will be strictly enforced. Students may also be asked to remove all loose items from their pockets and place them in the designated space.

• Students are not allowed to take books, bookbags/backpacks, notes, or any class-related material into a testing area unless their instructor has provided written permission on the Testing Agreement of Instructor Request Form. Students wearing hats, caps, or other headwear may be asked to remove them during testing unless the headwear is worn for religious reasons or due to a disability. 

• Engaging in misconduct and/or possession of prohibited materials will result in dismissal from the Testing Center and in the incident being reported to the instructor, who will then report it to Academic Affairs.

If you have any questions or concerns about testing accommodations for students registered with the DSEA, please contact our office at 501-279-4019.

Examples of misconduct include, but are not limited to the following: 

• Giving or receiving unauthorized assistance of any kind. 

• Causing a disturbance of any kind. 

• Using any unauthorized aids (electronic devices, books, notes, calculators, computers, websites, etc.). 

• Attempting to take a test for someone else. 

• Failure to follow examination regulations or instructions from Testing Staff.

• Removing or attempting to remove questions, responses, or materials from the Testing Services Office. 

• Sharing of materials with other examinees.

• Talking with other examinees during a test. 

• Manipulating test timers in any way is prohibited and will result in the exam being collected.

• Testing Services staff may grant permission for restroom breaks. Testing time does not pause during restroom breaks. If a student leaves Testing Services for any reason without permission, the exam will be collected. If the student is gone for an unreasonable amount of time, the exam will be collected, sealed, and returned to the instructor.