Law and Ethics in education - Research Paper Example

DISABILITY POLICY: DOMINICAN OF CALIFORNIA A person with disability has a mental or physical impairment that considerably limits his or her major life activities (Dominican University of California, 2011). These activities includes functions such as taking care for one’s self, performing physical tasks, walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing, learning or working. Dominican University of California has a comprehensive disability policy that seeks to effectively and reasonably accommodate students with diverse forms of disability.

The following paper discusses this disability policy for students with disability.For a student to be eligible for accommodation, the student must provide the university with evidence of their disability. This is done by providing the director of tutoring with documentation from a licensed professional which determines the level of disability. This is important in ensuring that the student is given as much assistance as the level of his or her disability. This also protects resources of the disabled from being misused by students falsely claiming to be handicapped.

If a continuing student identifies himself or herself to be disabled, he or she may contact the Director of Tutoring and Disability Services. The director can refer the student to a credible outside agency for testing. This caters for those who did not either report or have a disability at the period of joining the university. It also reduces the chances of a potentially handicapped student subscribing to substandard treatment from incompetent practitioners. Documentation of a disability condition must have been done within the past three years.

Documentations older than 3 years are highly unreliable. This is because the disability level may have increased or reduced. Any change in disability assists the university actualize any extra special needs that the student may have in order to assist him or her as much as possible. Documentation defining the nature of the disability should be detailed. It should indicate how the student is disadvantaged by the disability. It should also recommend the type or accommodation best suited for the student.

This helps the university to allocate the most suitable shelter for the student and helps the accommodation department understand fully the needs of the student.Information about a student’s disability is treated with utmost confidentiality by the university. All the records regarding disability are stored safely and away from unauthorised access. This helps the disabled feel more comfortable to express fully their disability without fear publicity. This also ensures that crucial information to the wellbeing of disabled students are not lost or altered.

Students requesting for accommodation must organize for a meeting with the Director of Tutoring and Disability Services within two weeks after the semester commences. This is important in ensuring that there are no delays in receipt of accommodation by needy students. It also helps in ensuring allocation of the rooms are done collectively to aid in proper and accurate matching of students’ needs and the type of accommodation they get. Students who need an enlarged type of accommodation, an interpreter of sign language or a reader should contact the university via the Director of Tutoring and Disability Services one month before the semester begins.

This ensures that an of the above three requests are completed as soon as the semester initializes.Dominican University of California has a disability grievance policy. This has procedures for filing cases related to discrimination and unfair treatment. This policy protects students with disability from being prejudiced against. The procedure ensures that justice is upheld and privileges of the disabled are protected within the university.ReferencesDominican University of California. (2011). Disabilities Policy.

Retrieved on 11th November 2011. http://www.dominican.edu/about/forfaculty/courseinfo/disabilitypol