The Beloit College small residential community provides an educational environment supportive and challenging for all students. Students with disabilities who work in conjunction with the Learning Enrichment and Disability Services Office, demonstrate self-advocacy, and responsibly engage in their learning, find that their Beloit College education is a rewarding and enriching experience.

As at all colleges, accommodations are provided to students with disabilities to provide them equal access to a college education.  This Office is charged with verifying disabilities, determining accommodations, and providing information and training on disability-related issues for students. When appropriate, this Office also coordinates and/or provides accommodations.  In addition, services and resources that are available to all Beloit College students will be suggested to students with disabilities particularly when they seem appropriate to aid in the student’s success.

Self-Advocacy:

Like all Beloit College students, students with disabilities are expected to take responsibility for their own education.  A component of this expectation is the continuing process of learning how to make decisions and advocate for one’s self, particularly in regards to one’s disability and related accommodations.  Although support and information is provided by the staff of the Learning Enrichment and Disability Services office and other faculty and staff with whom the student consults, the onus is on the student to obtain and use information, use appropriate resources, and follow policies and procedures in a timely manner.

Confidentiality:

Information regarding a student’s disability is private.  Consistent with FERPA and the Beloit College's Privacy Policy, Learning Enrichment and Disability Services staff share disability-related information with particular faculty and staff when there is a need for them to know.  Specifically, it is sometimes important to share such information in order for accommodations to be provided.  However, information is rarely shared with parents or other students without the student’s written consent unless it is an emergency or the student is determined to be a danger to self or others.

Class Attendance:

The faculty of Beloit College have determined that “Attendance at classes is required and is considered an essential component for each course.” (Beloit College Catalog 2011-13, p. 14).  Consequently, if a student has a disability for which class attendance may be an issue, the student is encouraged to discuss the situation as soon as possible with each of his/her faculty members to establish specific expectations for each course.

Grievance Process:
Students and faculty with concerns about accommodations are encouraged to speak with the involved individuals as well as the Director of the Learning Enrichment and Disability Services Office.  When resolving such concerns, it is important that they be addressed immediately (and accommodations are to be implemented in the meantime).   Faculty and/or students are encouraged to consider potential appropriate alternatives with the Director. When all informal avenues of resolution have been exhausted, a Grievance Process is available.

The Grievance Process is also available to students that believe that they are being discriminated against because of their disability.  These students are also encouraged to try to resolve the situation informally with the relevant individuals and with the assistance of the Director when appropriate.