Disability Services Center

The purpose of disability accommodations is to ensure that a student is not discriminated against solely on the basis of disability and has the same level of access to CBU as their non-disabled peers. The goal is equal access and equal opportunity, not to facilitate a specific accommodation.

Examples:

• American Sign Language Interpreting
• Communication Access Realtime Translation/Captioning
• Notetaking Support
• Alternative Text
• Extended Testing Time
• Housing Accommodations

Academic accommodations are individualized based on the student’s unique needs. In other words, two students with the same diagnosis may not receive the same services.

 

When to Submit a Request

Review and processing time for accommodation requests may take up to four weeks. Students can request accommodations at any time in the semester, however, we recommend the timeline below:

• For Fall Accommodations, submit your requests (May – July)
• For Spring Accommodations, submit your requests (October – November)
• For Summer Accommodations, submit your requests (February – April)

The Disability Services Center experiences peak times during the following months: August, September, December, and January. While we still accept requests during this time, processing times may be longer during these months.

Step 1: Submit Request
Complete and submit the Request for Accommodations form to Disability Services.

Step 2: Provide Documentation
Submit professional documentation of your disability. Depending on the diagnosis, this can come from a medical doctor, school psychologist, therapist, or another relevant licensed healthcare professional. IEPs and 504 plans may be provided as supplemental information but are not sufficient documentation to support a request.

• For medical and psychiatric disabilities (i.e. chronic illness, learning disabilities, anxiety, depression,etc.) use the CBU Disability Verification Form .
• For any housing accommodation request (including ESA request), use the CBU Housing and ESA Verification Form.
• We will also accept a letter from a qualified licensed healthcare professional if it is on letterhead and includes the student’s diagnosis along with how it substantially limits one or more major life functions (please review the forms for all required information). The letter must include the licensed healthcare professional's credentials, contact information, and signature. For more details, see General Documentation Guidelines.

Step 3: Schedule an Intake
After completing steps 1 and 2, Disability Services will contact you to schedule an intake appointment. 

The review and processing time for accommodation requests may vary, ranging from a brief period to up to four weeks, depending on the nature of the request and the communication required to gather the necessary information for an informed decision.

Students are expected to share a bedroom space and navigate roommate relationships. We understand that many students have not shared personal space prior to enrolling in college. There is a dedicated team of residence life professionals dedicated to programming and support for the resident community.

California Baptist University is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to ensure that students with documented disabilities have equal access to university housing and campus programs. In some cases, your disability may qualify you for housing accommodations as well as academic accommodations.

CBU Reasonable Housing Accommodation Policy

California Baptist University is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to ensure that students with documented disabilities have equal access to university housing and campus programs. In some cases, an Emotional Support Animal (ESA) may be approved as a housing accommodation through the Disability Services Center.

What is an Emotional Support Animal (ESA)?

An Emotional Support Animal (ESA) is an animal that provides therapeutic emotional support that alleviates one or more symptoms or effects of a person’s mental health disability. Unlike Service Animals, ESAs are not required to be individually trained to perform specific tasks related to a disability.

The benefit of an ESA is typically derived from the presence and interaction with the animal, which may support a student’s mental health and ability to access and enjoy university housing.

Examples of common ESAs include domesticated animals such as dogs or cats that are commonly kept in a household and can be safely maintained in a residential environment.

Emotional Support Animals are not protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in the same way that Service Animals are. Therefore, ESAs are only approved for university housing and not for classrooms or other campus buildings.

*Emotional Support Animals (ESAs) are referred to as ‘Support Animals’ under the CBU Assistance Animal Policy.

Emotional Support Animals (ESA) and Housing Accommodation Guidelines

CBU Assistance Animal Policy

Academic Skills Coaching is a peer-led program designed to provide academic support for students with documented disabilities. The program offers assistance in the following areas:

• Time Management and Organization
• Executive Functioning
• Exam Preparation and Test-taking Strategies
• Managing a Heavy Course Load
• Study Skills
• Self-Advocacy

Our team of Academic Skills Coaches consists of both undergraduate and graduate students who are trained to support their peers. Students can meet with a coach to receive tailored support in the areas they find most challenging. Coaches will encourage students to explore new strategies and work on developing habits that promote academic success.

Students registered with Disability Services can schedule an appointment with an Academic Skills Coach by contacting our office at (951) 552-8814.

Postsecondary education is a totally different experience from high school. Your student will have responsibilities at the university that they didn’t have in high school. The resources on this page can help you and your student navigate their education at CBU.

Open Letter to Parents- From Jane Jarrow

ADA guide- differences between high school and college  

Transitioning from high school to post-secondary educational institutions can be intimidating and stressful. For students with disabilities and their families, the transition process requires extra attention to legal requirements and required documentation.

Difference between K-12 and Postsecondary Services

Facilitating accommodations at the postsecondary level differs significantly from the K-12 process. In K-12, accommodations often aim to directly support student success by modifying course requirements, extending deadlines, or providing notes on exams, among other adjustments. In contrast, at the postsecondary level, Disability Services focus on ensuring equal access, allowing students to have the same opportunities as their peers to succeed without altering the core requirements of the programs they choose to participate in.

In the K-12 setting, accommodations are outlined through Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) and 504 Plans, which are specific to that environment and do not carry over to higher education institutions.

Additionally, while students in K-12 have accommodations and services typically arranged for them, in college, students are expected to be self-advocates. They must take the initiative in requesting accommodations and advocating for their needs. As such, all communication with Disability Services must be initiated by the student.

While parents are welcome to participate in meetings with Disability Services, they must be included on the student’s FERPA waiver to do so. However, students are strongly encouraged to lead the conversation and advocate for the accommodations they require.

What is Disability Services?
Disability Services works with students with documented disabilities to provide reasonable accommodations that support equal access to university programs, services, and activities. Our office is committed to promoting accessibility, inclusion, and student success.

Who can register with Disability Services?
Students with a documented physical, psychological, medical, sensory, learning, or other qualifying disability may be eligible to register with Disability Services.

How do I request accommodations?
To request accommodations, students must:

1. Complete the Request for Accommodations form.
2. Submit supporting disability documentation.
3. Participate in an intake meeting with Disability Services.
4. Review and sign approved accommodation documents.

Once this process is complete, students will receive their accommodation letter.

What documentation do I need?
Documentation should come from a qualified provider and include information about the diagnosis, current functional limitations, and the connection between the disability and the requested accommodations. Documentation requirements may vary depending on the nature of the disability.

Can I use an IEP or 504 Plan from high school?
An IEP or 504 Plan may be helpful as supplemental information, but it is usually not enough by itself. Additional current documentation is needed to support accommodation requests in higher education.

How long does the accommodation process take?
The timeline can vary depending on how quickly documentation is submitted and whether additional information is needed. Students are encouraged to begin the process as early as possible.

Do accommodations apply automatically once I register?
No. Accommodations begin only after they are approved by Disability Services and the student has completed the required paperwork.

Do I need to renew my accommodations every year?
Yes. Accommodations are generally approved for one academic year and must be renewed annually.

Do I need to notify my professors each semester?
Yes. Students are responsible for sharing their accommodation letters with their professors each semester in order for accommodations to be implemented.

Can Disability Services change course requirements?
Disability Services provides access through reasonable accommodations, but does not waive essential course requirements or fundamentally alter academic standards.

What types of academic accommodations may be available?
Accommodations vary based on documented need and may include items such as extended testing time, reduced-distraction testing, note-taking support, assistive technology, captioning, or other classroom-related accommodations.

Are testing accommodations available?
Yes. Students approved for testing accommodations may be eligible for supports such as extended time or reduced-distraction testing. Students must follow office procedures and submit testing requests by the required deadlines.

Can I request housing accommodations through Disability Services?
Yes. Students requesting disability-related housing accommodations must complete the housing accommodation process and provide documentation supporting the need for the accommodation.

Can I have an Emotional Support Animal (ESA) in campus housing?
ESA requests are reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Approval is based on documented disability-related need, not preference for having an animal. Students must complete the required process and submit appropriate supporting documentation.

Are service animals allowed on campus?
Service animals are generally permitted in accordance with applicable law. Disability Services may ask the legally permitted questions to determine whether the animal qualifies as a service animal.

What if I need temporary accommodations?
Students with temporary medical conditions, injuries, or surgeries may contact Disability Services to discuss whether temporary accommodations or support options may be available.

Is my disability information confidential?
Yes. Disability-related information is treated as confidential and is shared only on a need-to-know basis consistent with university policy and applicable law.

What should I do if my accommodation is not being implemented?
Students should first communicate with the instructor, when appropriate, and then contact Disability Services right away so we can help address the concern.

Can I request additional or different accommodations later?
Yes. If your needs change, you may contact Disability Services to discuss modifications or additional accommodations. Updated documentation may be required.

How do I contact Disability Services?
Students can contact Disability Services by phone, email, or by visiting the office during regular business hours. Please include your student ID number when reaching out so we can better assist you.

Disability Services

951-552-8814

dss@calbaptist.edu