Assistance and accommodation 

We are committed to serving students with disabilities and our goal is to ensure that every student who has a disability is provided with access to the needed services that will ensure equity of opportunity.

We provide assistance to students with visual impairments, learning disabilities, mobility impairments, hearing impairments, chronic health conditions (including allergies), psychological disabilities and temporary disabilities so they may enjoy a complete range of academic and non-academic opportunities.

Questions? Concerns? Please contact Disability Coordinators, Lisa Kooy and Tim Mohnkern, or call (616) 526-6155.

Implement Your Accommodations

Note Taker Accommodation

This video is designed for Calvin students who are approved for a note taker as an academic accommodation and outlines the steps necessary to implement this accommodation.

Documentation Guidelines

Pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) 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.

Because each person's situation is unique, we ask any interested student to meet with us. In accordance with the spirit of the legislative updates to the ADA, documentation requirements vary by situation. A disability coordinator will talk to the student about documentation during the initial conversation. 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. Disability coordinators use a three prong approach for each individual request for accommodations, including:

  • Student's self report
  • Observation and interaction
  • Information from external/or third parties

Please don't delay in making an appointment at (616) 526-6155 with a disability coordinator if you are a current or prospective student seeking accommodations.

Disability verification forms

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.

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

Service Animal Protocol

Emotional Support Animal Protocol

Grievance Policy (Student Handbook, Section 9)