# Accessibility Services and Accomodations ## expand\_more ## Student Accessibility and Academic Accommodations Accessibility and academic accommodations at the Divinity School are coordinated by the Local Disability Coordinator (LDC) (), who serves as the central resource for all students with disabilities. HDS and Harvard University provide a process for determining eligibility for accommodations, which may include extended time on exams, assistive technology, sign language interpreters, and other accommodations as eligible. ### Notification of a Disability and Requesting an Accommodation Students seeking accommodations for disabilities engage in an interactive process with the Local Disability Coordinator (LDC). The process includes submitting an application, providing medical documentation, and meeting with the LDC. Determinations of reasonable accommodations are made on an individualized basis and are based on documentation, conversations with the LDC, and any needed discussions with instructors. Once accommodations have been approved, the LDC will provide students with an accommodation letter each semester to share with their instructors. Students are responsible for communicating with their instructors to discuss how approved accommodations will be implemented within the context of each course. To promote student autonomy, accommodations are not automatically renewed each semester. Students who wish to continue receiving accommodations must notify the LDC each semester to request a new letter. If at any point during the semester a student would like to request additional accommodations or modify their accommodations, they should contact the LDC as soon as possible. Updated medical documentation may be required. Accommodations cannot be applied retroactively, so accommodation requests should be submitted as early as possible. Obtaining documentation from a qualified medical professional may take time, and some accommodations, such as sign language interpreters or Communication Access Realtime Translation (CART) services, may require several weeks to arrange. Students should plan accordingly. ### Temporary Illness or Injury Although temporary illnesses and injuries may not technically be considered disabilities, students under such circumstances may also be eligible for accommodations to avoid disruption of academic programs. Therefore, students should contact the LDC as soon as possible to discuss requests for temporary accommodation. Adequate clinical documentation is required in order to provide an accommodation for any student for any reason, including authorization for accessible van transportation.