Man in wheel chair with a service dog.
  2. Inside NWU
  3. Accessibility Services for Students with Disabilities
  2. Inside NWU
  3. Accessibility Services for Students with Disabilities
Accessibility Services for Students with Disabilities

Contact us 

Michael Cruce, PhD.
Director of Student Accessibility Services
(402) 465-2149
mcruce [at] dbctl.com (mcruce[at]nebrwesleyan[dot]edu)

For our accommodation appeal procedure, email mcruce [at] dbctl.com (Michael Cruce).

Accessibility Services for Students with Disabilities

Nebraska Wesleyan University welcomes people with disabilities to our campus. The university is committed to providing access to educational opportunities and full participation in the campus community life.

Accessibility services for students

Please choose one of the following forms that best suits your current needs.

For new, transfer or current students with a disability and do not have a current accommodation plan, complete the New Student Accessibility Application. Accessibility services staff will contact you to arrange an intake interview and determine reasonable accommodations.

For returning students with a disability and who have an accommodation plan, you will need to complete the Returning Student Accommodations Request prior to every new semester 

For any student that requires temporary accommodations due to a short-term medical condition, you will ONLY need to complete the Short-Term Medical Accommodations Request. Short term impairments are often not considered disabilities but may have an impact on a student’s educational functioning that necessitate temporary accommodations. Such conditions include, but are not limited to broken bones, concussions, surgical and medical procedures and temporary health crises or illnesses.

Young woman in wheel chair with books on her lap, outside on a nice day.

New Student
Young man in library reading a braille book with his hands.

Returning Student
Woman with a leg cast and crutches sits on a bench holding a cup and phone.

Short-term Medical

 

About the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

Federal law requires that Nebraska Wesleyan University make “reasonable accommodations” to ensure that persons with disabilities will have equal access to all educational programs, activities and services. Therefore, Nebraska Wesleyan University, in compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, and with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), as amended, recognizes the University’s obligation to make reasonable accommodations for qualified students with disabilities.

Definitions

A “reasonable accommodation” is defined as any change in an environment or in the way things are customarily done that (1) enables an individual with a disability to enjoy equal opportunities; and (2) does not fundamentally alter the nature of the activity, service or program.

A “disabled person” is defined as one who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially affects one or more major life activities or has a record of such an impairment, or is regarded as having such an impairment.

Procedures

To facilitate plans for reasonable accommodations, students with disabilities must identify and document their needs following their admission to Nebraska Wesleyan University. It is the responsibility of the student to notify the University of his/her disability; to document the disability; and to request accommodation.

Individuals should contact Prof. Sandy McBride, coordinator of services for students with disabilities, in Old Main 126.

Appeal Procedure for Students with Disabilities

If a student believes that Nebraska Wesleyan University is failing to provide reasonable accommodation for a disability, the student should petition the Disability Appeal Decision Committee in writing. This committee consists of the provost, the vice president for student life and the vice president for finance and administration. The Disability Appeal Decision Committee may seek statements from any and all students, faculty, or staff members involved. The decision of this committee is final.

Nebraska Wesleyan provides equal opportunity to all qualified persons in all areas of University operation, including education, employment, and decisions regarding faculty appointment, promotion or tenure, without regard to race, religion, age, sex, creed, color, disability, marital status, national or ethnic origin, or sexual orientation.