Our Legal Mandate

"No otherwise qualified individual with a disability in the United States shall, solely by reason of his or her disability, be excluded from the participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving federal financial assistance." (Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973)

Our Mission

Disability Services assists the university in creating an accessible community where students with disabilities have an equal opportunity to fully participate in their educational experience at JMU.

Our Goals

Equal Opportunity

Our goal is to provide and coordinate accommodations, support services and programs that provide students with disabilities an equal opportunity to maximize their learning potential.

Integrity

By joining with faculty, administration and staff, we seek to guard the integrity of JMU's programs and services, while at the same time ensuring that students with disabilities receive the reasonable accommodations that give them an equal opportunity to meet individual program requirements.

Responsibility

We function as an advocate for students with disabilities, while at the same time encouraging and assisting students in the development of independence, responsibility and effective self-advocacy.

How Will My Disability Affect Admissions?

Admission decisions are made without regard to disabilities. All prospective students are expected to present academic credentials at or above the minimum standards for admission as established by the Admissions Committee. The Admissions Committee is sensitive and knowledgeable concerning the student with a disability. While there are no special entrance criteria for students with disabilities, the Admissions Committee is able to give thorough consideration to students who choose to disclose their disability. JMU accepts nonstandard testing formats for the Scholastic Aptitude Test and American College Test. Send documentation of your disability directly to the Office of Disability Services. Your eligibility for services/accommodations from Disability Services is a separate process from admissions.

Who can Receive Services?

Services are available to all currently enrolled JMU students who have a documented disability. Students eligible for services include, but are not limited to, those with: learning disabilities, emotional, mobility, orthopedic, hearing, vision, speech impairments or chronic illness.

What Documentation do I Need?

To provide effective and reasonable accommodations, documentation of a disability is required. All documentation must:

• Demonstrate comprehensive assessment
• Give a current profile of functioning and needs
• State clearly the functional impact of the disability upon a major life function
• Be documented by appropriately credentialed specialists
• Meet all guideline requirements for the specific disability

Disabilities involving learning (such as learning disabilities, ADD or ADHD, traumatic brain injuries, and most psychiatric disabilities) must also:

• Be assessed on an adult scale
• Include a full psychoeducational test battery

• Present documentation to Disability Services
• Make an appointment to discuss accommodations and services
• Complete registration paperwork