General Information for Students with a Disability
BYUH offers many services for students with disabilities, from classroom to study areas to computers.
*Note for all students with disabilities: Plan for needed accommodations well in advance
Accommodation Letters:
Students with disabilities may have accommodative letters sent from DS to their professors prior to the new semester or term. They should contact each professor concerning any accommodations they may require. Professors who do not receive a letter from DS (Disability Services) are required by law to ask for documentation of the disability before they provide accommodations.
Accommodation Cards:
In order to access some accommodations, such as special needs computers, textbooks on tape, testing services, etc., a student must have an accommodation card issued by his/her DS counselor.
Testing for Learning Disabilities and ADHD:
University Counseling Services provides psychological and educational testing services to detect possible learning disabilities and other disorders. Read more in the section Testing Accommodations.
Transportation Services:
The university does not provide transportation to, from, or around campus for students with disabilities or temporary medical conditions. The Bus, Hawaii's public transportation system, provides accessible transportation around the island of Oahu and can be reached at (808)374-9517. Students may need to arrange for services in advance and can also contact the HandiVan division for additional transportation assistance
Parking On Campus:
Students who have a disability parking placard or license plate may park in any of the disability parking spaces on campus.
Other Accommodations:
On a case-by-case basis, other accommodations may be made available. For further information, students should contact their DS counselor.
Volunteer Note Takers:
Volunteer note takers may be provided when visual or physical impairments negatively affect a student's ability to take notes or type. Note takers can ensure students receive all the information from a class lecture. Students should sign up for this service as soon as they are approved for it and are registered for classes. Volunteers are not permitted to take notes for a student who is absent from class.
Peer Note Taker:
Students can ask a professor for help in locating another student in the class who would be willing to take notes during possible absences. DS (Disability Services) will supply carbonless paper for peer note takers.
Accessible Classrooms:
Most BYU-Hawaii classrooms are accessible. However, classes may be moved to a more accessible location if needed. Students should visit their classrooms at least two months in advance and notify their DS counselor so that any necessary changes can be made before the semester begins.
Sign Language/ Oral Interpreters:
Sign Language/ Oral interpreters are available to qualified students. Students planning to request interpreters should notify DS as soon as they are accepted to BYU Hawaii. Interpreters are a scarce resource, but DS will do its best to accommodate students' needs. DS reserves the right to request that a student who needs an interpreter change to a different section of the same class where there is already an interpreter. It is possible that in some classes students will share the same interpreter. DS can furnish addresses of agencies that provide interpreters for private use in the community.
Audiotape Lectures:
Arrangements can be made before hand with professors to record or video tape lectures where note taking is not available. Tapes can also then be transcribed for use by the student. Copies of Class Overheads and Outline. Students can request copies of overheads and lecture notes from professors personally or through letters from their DS counselor. If you are absent for more than two weeks, you might need to make arrangements to withdraw from the class.
Tutoring:
One-on-one tutoring is not provided for special needs students through DS. However, each major has their own tutors. For example, the Mathematics department provides Math tutors.
Adaptive Computer Equipment:
The university has one computer workstation located at Disability Services office. This computer is equipped with various assistive technologies including a large screen, a speech reader, an enlargement program, and a dictation program. Students desiring access to this equipment must receive clearance from their DS counselor and receive basic training in using the needed assistive technology. Students will be asked to show a current and valid Accommodation Card in order to use this computer workstation and its special features.
Distraction-Free Rooms for Study:
DS can help to schedule quiet distraction-free rooms to facilitate optimal learning when special needs students work with tutors or in groups.
Distraction-Free Rooms for Exams:
DS will schedule rooms for testing purposes where students may dictate answers to a test scribe or proctor. In most cases students who qualify for this service will come to the Counseling and Disability Services to pick up their examination papers, meet their test scribe/proctor, and be directed to the scheduled room to take the exam.
Extended Time for Exams:
In cases where a disability causes a student to work more slowly than other students, extra time for exam completion may be allocated. Testing Center workers will ask to see a student ID and the Accommodation Card.
Staggered Exams or Exam Breaks:
Professors can authorize alternative exam times or exam breaks according to the needs of the student. Testing Center workers will ask to see a student ID and the Accommodation Card. Alternative Evaluation Modes. Testing may be available in oral, computerized, non-scantron, or another format according to student needs and professor discretion. These kinds of arrangements must be made well in advance. It is the responsibility of the student to initiate the discussion of appropriate evaluation methods as he/she meets with the DS counselor and instructors.
Alternative Evaluation Modes:
Testing maybe available in oral, computerized, non-scantron, or another format according to student needs and professor discretion. These kinds of arrangement must be made well in advance. It is the responsibility of the student to initiate the discussion of appropriate evaluation methods as he/she meets with the DS counselor and instructors.