What are accommodations?
The Board of Trustees of IMSA is committed to providing a supportive environment for all students with disabilities by providing a learning environment that affords full participation, equal access and reasonable accommodation in compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (“Section 504”) and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended by the 2008 Americans With Disabilities Amendments Act (“ADA”).
It is the policy of the Board of Trustees of IMSA that no otherwise qualified individual with a disability shall, solely by reason of their disability, be excluded from the participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity sponsored by this Board. As used in this policy and any implementing regulations, the term “disability” means an individual who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more of the individual’s major life activities, has a history or record of such impairment, or who is regarded by others as having such an impairment.
Qualified applicants for admission and students with a disability may be provided reasonable academic accommodations, adjustments, and auxiliary aids and services to ensure equal access to participate in and benefit from the programs and activities offered by IMSA. IMSA uses an interactive process with the student or parent/guardian to discuss accommodations. The interactive process involves the collaborative dialogue between IMSA personnel, the student, and parent/guardian to verify the student’s disability and determine what reasonable accommodations may be provided to the student.
Housing Accommodations
Please note:
- Upperclassmen are required to provide their requested specific accommodations by the designated deadline during the spring academic semester, as presented during the Mandatory Housing Meeting.
- For incoming Sophomore Class students requesting specific housing accommodations, requests must be submitted by July 1. Forms submitted after July 1 will be reviewed, but accommodations are not guaranteed due to limited capacity.
Students who require housing accommodations may request support through our Housing Accommodation process. Approved accommodations are provided based on availability and may include:
- First-Floor Placement
- Accessible Room (limited availability)
- Visual Fire Alarm
- Hypoallergenic Room (limited availability)
- Additional Refrigerator
Please note that current medical documentation is required to determine eligibility for all housing accommodations. Requests are reviewed individually, and accommodations are assigned based on documented need and space availability.
Medical Accommodations
Medical accommodations are handled by Health Services at IMSA.
Please see the health services site for information on prescription authorization and management of emergency medical conditions. Upon receipt of the Request for Accommodations Form, someone from the health office will reach out to you to discuss your student’s needs in more detail.
Standardized Testing and Accommodations
How does receiving standardized test accommodations work at IMSA?
Accommodations on national exams, including College Board (PSAT, SAT, AP) or ACT, require an application process even if you have been approved for accommodations at IMSA. Accommodations provided in an education plan at IMSA are not automatically honored by the College Board and/or ACT. It is critical to read the ACT guidelines and College Board guidelines to understand their processes best. Decisions on accommodations can take up to 7 weeks to be received after the application is submitted. When the IMSA testing coordinator requests accommodations, they will use the student’s Accommodation Plan and any other documentation you provide.
What will I need to provide to the testing coordinator at IMSA?
For the ACT and/or the College Board:
- Recent documentation (within 3 years) with a specific diagnosis is necessary from the doctor on letterhead. Information submitted should include the month and date of original diagnosis and the name, title, and certification of the person who made the diagnosis.
- Ability and achievement testing may be required to indicate how the diagnosis has impacted the student’s learning. Submitting only the doctor’s diagnosis may not suffice for either the College Board or the ACT.
Statement on Confidentiality
In accordance with the Family Educational Rights Privacy Act (FERPA), IMSA is committed to ensuring that all information regarding a student is maintained as confidential as required or permitted by law. In addition to fulfilling legal obligations, maintaining a high standard of confidentiality also fosters an environment in which students with disabilities feel respected, safe, supported, and protected. Any information collected is used for the student’s benefit and will be shared only as necessary. In certain situations, disclosure of specific information about your condition(s) and how they affect you in a course or program may be required to fulfill accommodation requests or help an instructor understand the connection between the disability and accommodation (vs. a limited need to know).
