Accessibility and Accommodations Policy
Valar Institute provides equal opportunity to individuals who desire to participate in our educational programs and services. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Valar Institute is committed to making its programs equally accessible to students with disabilities, and does not discriminate on the basis of disability. A disability is defined as a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits at least one major life activity; a record of such an impairment; or being regarded as having such an impairment.
We will provide auxiliary aids and services where necessary to ensure effective communication with individuals with disabilities and we will make reasonable modifications to policies and procedures as long as they do not result in 1) a fundamental alteration in the nature of the service/program; or 2) an undue hardship. Valar will engage in an interactive process with individuals with disabilities to determine what auxiliary aids or other reasonable modifications to the program may be necessary to provide an educational opportunity that is as effective as that provided to others. All students are held to the same admission standards, with or without accommodations.
Time is of the essence in finding appropriate accommodations, so you should contact the Senior Director of Student Affairs immediately upon learning of the need for an accommodation. It is the responsibility of qualified students with a disability to request reasonable accommodations for their program by completing this form and submitting it to the Senior Director of Student Affairs via email at accommodations@valar.quantic.edu. Documentation related to your disability must also be submitted with this form in order to verify your request. All personal documentation relating to accommodations and disability documentation will be kept confidential; however, relevant faculty and administrative staff members may be informed in order to provide accommodations.
Documentation must be as current as possible, and documentation written in a language other than English must be translated. Documentation must support the need for accommodation based on a disability. It can include, but is not limited to:
- A statement or report from a licensed healthcare professional (must include name, title, and professional credentials)
- Individualized Education Plan (IEP) or 504
- Military or veteran records confirming disability
- Documentation recording disability and accommodations from a previous school or university
Requests for accommodations are considered on a case-by-case basis. It is recommended that new students submit an accommodation request and supporting documentation no later than the Enrollment Documents deadline (four weeks prior to cohort start date), so that accommodations can be put in place before the student begins their program. Accommodation requests can be made after the program has commenced; however, students should expect a reasonable amount of time to arrange accommodations. Accommodations cannot be applied retroactively.
Valar cannot grant accommodations until documentation verifying the student’s disability has been received and reviewed. The costs of obtaining this documentation is the sole responsibility of the student seeking accommodations.
Reasonable Accommodations
Reasonable accommodations include, but are not limited to:
- Providing written transcripts after the fact for webinars or events held by videoconference
- Recording events held by videoconference
- Providing subtitles on pre-recorded videos distributed to students
- Enabling closed captioning on live videoconferences
- Providing a member of staff to communicate with the student during live videoconferencing webinars, office hours, and calls with Valar faculty and staff and act as that student’s “voice” when necessary
- Deadline extensions
When considering requests for accommodation, Valar will consider alternative means for delivering the program, the effectiveness of such alternative means for the student, the feasibility of the accommodation, cost, and the effect on the academic program. Decisions regarding accommodations will be made by the Senior Director of Student Affairs in conjunction with relevant Valar personnel. Individuals with disabilities, with or without accommodation, are held to the same performance and conduct standards. An individual will not be forced to accept a particular accommodation, aid, or service, if they choose not to accept it.
Students are responsible for communicating directly with faculty regarding accommodations. Students are responsible for contacting the Senior Director of Student Affairs at accommodations@valar.quantic.edu if they have any difficulties receiving my accommodations. Individual instructors should never deny an accommodation on the assumption that it would be too costly or create an undue hardship, because such decisions must be made at the institutional level.
In some circumstances, Valar will offer special programs so that individuals with disabilities can participate. Notwithstanding the existence of such special programs, individuals with disabilities will not be denied the opportunity to participate in the regular programs offered by Valar.
Nothing in this policy requires Valar to permit an individual to participate in or benefit from its services, facilities, privileges, advantages, and accommodations where the individual poses a direct threat to the health or safety of others.
Prohibition of Retaliation
Valar prohibits retaliation against any individual who requests accommodations or raises concerns under the Americans with Disabilities Act. Any individuals who engage in retaliation will be subject to discipline, up to and including termination.
Appeal Process and Grievance Policy
Students who are denied eligibility for an accommodation or who are dissatisfied with the accommodation decision may request that the Chief Academic Officer review the decision by filing an appeal. Appeal requests must be submitted within 5 days of the date of the decision letter. The Chief Academic Officer will review the student’s request and supporting documentation, and may meet with the student. The Chief Academic Officer will make a decision within 10 days of receipt of the appeal.
If the student’s concern remains unresolved and/or the student believes he or she is being denied equal access in the form of appropriate accommodations or has otherwise been discriminated against, the student may file a grievance using Valar's Student Grievance and Abuse policy, available here.