Messiah College is committed to providing for the needs of enrolled or admitted students who have disabilities under section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.

It is the policy of Messiah College to make services available for any student who, through a recent assessment, can document a disability and who requires accommodation. The administration is directed to provide appropriate services, including 1) support, counseling, and information, 2) academic assistance services, and 3) advocacy services.

In general, College policy calls for reasonable accommodations to be made for people with disabilities on an individualized and flexible basis. Although programs are not required to have all the resources disabled individuals may need, they are expected to have the flexibility and capacity to provide reasonable accommodations as needs arise. It is the responsibility of people with disabilities, however, to seek available assistance at the College and to make their needs known. The philosophy at Messiah College combines broad decentralization of many services so that people with disabilities are integrated into the campus community, with centralization of the disability related services that are necessary for access to campus courses, programs, facilities, services, and activities.

Disability Services Policies:

• Emergency response and evacuation
• Special Housing Accommodations
• Course subtitutions and waivers
• Diagnostic services
• Assist animals
• Seizure response
• Special seating for individuals with disabilities
• Exam modification
• Field experiences for individuals with disabilities

Operating Principles:

1. Messiah College prohibits and actively discourages discrimination against people with disabilities. Toward this end, the College community will continue to develop training and resources to promote sensitivity and awareness of disability issues.
2. The College is committed to providing equal access and reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities. Toward this end, the College will continue to develop and coordinate policies and procedures, and provide services and access to employment, academic programs, co-curricular activities, and facilities.
3. The administration will provide leadership in improving access for people with disabilities and will be responsible for implementing the principles of equal access at the College.
4. The College will organize its disability services in a way that promotes, to the greatest extent possible, self-determination for people with disabilities and that engages the entire campus community in access issues.
5. The goal of reasonable accommodations will be to increase rather than decrease opportunities for people with disabilities.
6. In order to respect the independence, rights and dignity of people with disabilities, requesting an accommodation or identifying oneself as having a disability will be voluntary.

Disability Related Grievances:

Messiah College policy clearly prohibits harassment of any student, employee, or visitor based on disability. Any person who believes that he or she has experienced harassment, intimidation, or discrimination should notify the Director of Disability Services and pursue a remedy under the College's Grievance Resolution procedure.