Disability Resource Center

Disability Resource Services

The University of Pikeville is committed to providing equal educational opportunities and full participation for persons with disabilities.  The Disability Resource Center (DRC) supports the university’s commitment by coordinating accommodations so that every student with disabilities can actively participate in all facets of the UPIKE educational experience.  Our goal is to empower students to be confident self-advocates for their own accommodation needs.

Accommodations and Support Services

Each person has a different set of skills and needs.  Accommodations are determined on an individual basis, utilizing the student’s self-report in the initial interview and disability-related documentation received from the student’s healthcare provider.  Some of the accommodations and services available include:

• Extended time for testing
• Distraction-reduced locations for testing
• Classroom and lab accommodations
• Accessible housing, parking and building access
• Note-takers, Readers and Scribes
• Communication with faculty and advisors regarding student needs/concerns
• Assistance obtaining alternate format textbooks and identifying assistive technology needs
• Information and referral for additional services

KYCOM Accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

All applicants and students should be familiar with KYCOM’s Technical Standards. The UPIKE Disability Resource Center handles all accommodation requests for students in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. To inquire about UPIKE’s ADA and Section 504 policies, procedures, and/or to request an accommodation, please contact the Disability Resource Center. Students are encouraged to submit documentation to the Disability Resource Center prior to matriculation or as soon as a situation arises that an accommodation is needed.

Eligibility Process

• Student will initially contact DRC staff to identify any disability-related barriers (past, present and/or anticipated), and to engage in dialogue about expectations and/or concerns as he/she prepares to start the educational journey at UPIKE.
• Documentation from a licensed professional may be requested to verify a disability and to clarify its potential impact in a higher education living & learning environment.  This will aid in determining appropriate accommodations.
• Once accommodations have been determined, DRC staff will meet with the student to review his/her rights and responsibilities and to provide accommodations letters for delivery to instructors.
• Accommodation letters are valid for one academic semester and must be renewed at the beginning of each semester in which the student is enrolled at UPIKE and desires to receive accommodations. (Accommodations will not be retroactively applied.)
• Student may request a review of accommodations at any time during the semester.  Revisions may require additional documentation.

Documentation Requirements for Disability Determination

Preferably, documentation should be in letter form (not prescription,) on professional letter head, and address the following:

• Diagnosis of the current disability
• Date of diagnosis
• Method of diagnosis (interview, personality assessments, mental health instruments, physical exam, etc.)
• Severity and functional limitations of the disability and a description of the current impact as it relates to meeting the various demands of higher education (academically, socially, emotionally, physically, mentally, medically)
• Expected progression or stability of the disability
• Notation of any medical equipment that is required
• Notation of medications, if any, and potential impact on learning and/or side effects
• Possible recommendations (based on functional limitations) that would assist with academic achievements and/or daily functioning in the post-secondary environment
• Professional’s signature, printed name, credentials, license number & contact information

Submitting Disability Documentation

Submit all disability documentation directly to the Disability Resource Center. All documents received are kept confidential under FERPA guidelines.  No information is released and/or discussed without the consent of the individual. 

Note:  Disability-related information submitted to other offices on campus (e.g., Admission, Housing, Financial Aid, Athletic Coaches, etc.) may not automatically be forwarded to the Disability Resource Center.  This could delay the processing of accommodations.

Disability Resource Center Staff

204 Administration Building, University of Pikeville, 147 Sycamore Street, Pikeville, KY 41501  
FAX: 606-218-4472 / Email: drc@upike.edu