Welcome to Carleton! We are excited that you have decided to spend your next college years with us, and wish you all the best in the transition to get here. We can’t wait to meet you virtually over the summer, and in-person when the Fall term begins. Below are some of the most frequently asked questions from incoming students and families. If you have additional questions that aren’t answered below, the best way to reach out is by sending us an email.
What types of accommodations does OAR have for students?
The Office of Accessibility Resources navigates the accommodation process with students who are requesting a wide variety of accommodations for a documented disability. Students may connect with OAR at any point in their Carleton career, but accommodations do not apply retroactively. Academic accommodations help remove barriers in the classroom and testing environments, and housing/dining accommodations may be considered when there are access issues present for an individual student. We can also assist students who may be in need of an accommodation for their on-campus job. All accommodation requests are initiated by students, and are considered on a case-by-case individualized basis through the interactive process.
Can I start the accommodation process when I receive my acceptance from Carleton?
In the spring, you will receive information about how to apply for accommodations in the New Student Mailings by submitting the Disability Accommodation Form, which should be submitted by June 15th. The initial accommodation request form requires Carleton student information (ID number & Carleton email address), and we ask that you wait to complete the form until that information has been provided to you. This is to help mitigate any duplication of student profiles in our system and make the accommodation process smoother overall. We encourage prospective students and their families to contact us with any questions you may have in the meantime! OAR staff will begin reaching out to admitted students and following up on submitted requests over the summer to ensure that your accommodations are in place for Fall Term.
What type of documentation will be required for the accommodation process?
Documentation can come in a variety of formats, depending on the condition and the accommodation(s) being requested. This is a letter or report from a qualified evaluator that includes clinical documentation of all disabilities included in your request. A “qualified evaluator” is defined as a health care professional who is licensed to treat the condition being assessed. Discover more information about documentation requirements by condition.
At a minimum, clinical documentation needs to be signed, composed on official letterhead, and should clearly address:
- Diagnosis
- Functional impact(s)/limitation(s) on the student, particularly as it applies to the academic and/or residential setting.
- Frequency, duration, and severity of the impact(s), as well as exacerbating factors.
- Medication and any side effects (if side effects cause functional limitations or barriers), and/or treatment plan (e.g. current/past frequency of appointments), as well as specifically required maintenance regimens.
Documentation can be uploaded at the time of your request, sent via email to OAR@carleton.edu, or faxed by your provider to 507-222-5876.
Will my accommodations from high school transfer over to Carleton?
While some accommodations from high school can transfer to college in a similar manner, others may look different at Carleton. When making an initial accommodation request, students may submit any prior accommodation information from an educational setting as part of the documentation used in making a determination of accommodations at Carleton. For example, if a student received an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or 504 Plan during their secondary education, that information is a helpful piece of documentation for our office staff to utilize in understanding a student’s disability presentation and accommodations that were in place. If there is any re-evaluation for an IEP or 504 done before the end of a student’s secondary education career, please submit the most current information possible for our accommodation process. As part of our interactive process, we will discuss each student’s accommodation history to explore the relevant barriers and discuss how that barrier may be removed or addressed at the college level.
See the table below for some common points of difference between High School and College Accommodations (please email us for a more comprehensive document of differences):
| High School | College |
|---|---|
| Federal Policy: Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEA) | Federal Policy: Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) |
| IDEA is about success | ADA is about access |
| School districts must identify disability | Student must self-identify |
| Core modifications of classes and materials are required | Modifications are not required — only accommodations |
Do I have to have my accommodations meeting on my own?
As a college student you will be responsible for a lot of new things, this includes being responsible for partnering with the Office of Accessibility Resources in identifying and receiving accommodations. That doesn’t mean you have to go through the process alone. If you think it would be helpful to have a family member who is familiar with your previous accommodations or a friend who can offer some moral support, you can ask them to be present during your meeting with us. To maintain your privacy we will not request another person attend any of your meetings but you are welcome to have someone there to help support you if you would like.