Access and Accommodations
Our goal is to help Calvin be a place where every student, including those with differing abilities, can learn, belong and flourish. Our commitment is to ensure that every student with a disability is provided access to the complete range of academic, extracurricular, and residential opportunities available at Calvin University. If you are a student with a documented disability, or a student with a mental or physical condition that substantially limits a major life activity, please consider connecting with us.
Connecting with Us
To request assistance from our office, or to simply have a conversation about the best support options for you, please contact our office...
- By email: Calvin University Disability Services
- By phone: (616) 526-6155
- By scheduling a meeting with a disability coordinator
Meet with a Disability Coordinator
If you are a current or prospective student, you can schedule a meeting with a disability coordinator at any time, using the links below. If you plan to request accommodations, please be prepared to provide documentation that may support your request.
Use Your Testing Accommodations:
Use the link below to schedule accommodated tests and exams. Testing sessions must be scheduled at least 7 calendar days prior to the day of the assessment.
Quick links:
- Tutoring & Academic Coaching
- Campus Accessibility Map
- Mental Health Guide
- TRIO Student Support Services
How-To Videos: A Guide to Disability Services
Documentation: Guidelines
Pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act of 2008 (ADAAA) and Section 504 of the Vocational Rehabilitation Act of 1973, individuals with disabilities are protected from discrimination and assured services and accommodations that provide equal access to Calvin's activities and programs. Often, to ensure access and establish accommodations, we require documentation to verify the presence of a disability.
To best understand and address the current impact of a disability, documentation between 3 and 5 years-old is preferred. If documentation is older than 5 years, we may request that you complete a revaluation or submit additional documentation. Collected documentation will be kept confidential and will be used as part of the interactive process for determining appropriate accommodations.
Documentation: Verification Forms
These forms are provided for your convenience. If you do not have current documentation of your disability, a medical provider, familiar with your situation, can complete one of these forms to verify the presence of a disability.
Acquired brain injuries/disabilities: To provide verification of your acquired brain injury/disability, use this form. Attach any other reports, evaluations or test results if applicable.
Allergies: To provide verification of your allergies, use this form. Attach any other reports, evaluations or test results if applicable.
Chronic health disabilities: To provide verification of your chronic health disability, use this form. Attach any other reports, evaluations or test results if applicable.
Hard of hearing/deaf disabilities: To provide verification of your hard of hearing/deaf disability, use this form. Attach any other reports, evaluations or test results if applicable.
Learning disabilities and/or attention deficit disorders: To provide verification of your learning disability, use this form. Attach any other reports, evaluations or test results if applicable.
Low vision/blind disabilities: To provide verification of your low vision/blind disability, use this form. Attach any other reports, evaluations or test results if applicable.
Mobility impairments/disabilities: To provide verification of your mobility impairment/disability, use this form. Attach any other reports, evaluations or test results if applicable.
Psychological disabilities: To provide verification of your psychological disability, use this form. Attach any other reports, evaluations or test results if applicable.
Submit Documentation: You can submit completed verification forms or other reports, evaluations or test results by email, disabilityservices@calvin.edu, or by fax (616) 469-1308.
Confidentiality
We recognize that a student’s disability records are confidential and are to be treated as such. All disability files remain private from any other academic files on campus. However, the student’s right to privacy must be balanced against the university’s need to know information in order to provide services and accommodations. Student information is protected and/or shared in accordance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).
Policies and Protocols
Emotional Support Animal Protocol
Grievance Policy (Student Handbook, Section 9)
Questions? Concerns?
Please email us at disabilityservices@calvin.edu, or call (616) 526-6155.