Reasonable Accommodation Policy

Ponce Health Sciences University (PHSU) is an institution of higher education that is committed to the well-being of the students in all aspects of their life. Our purpose is to provide services to students in accordance with “Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990” which includes changes made by the ADA Amendments Act of 2008, which became effective on January 1, 2009. Also, in compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act 1973.

The Reasonable Accommodation Institutional Policy is a guideline to provide services based on these laws. All applicants accepted to PHSU must be able to meet the technical standards (see recommendation for standard review) described in the PHSU Admissions Policy. PHSU is not required to modify its admissions requirements for applicants with disabilities if the prospective students are unable to meet them.

Accepted candidates that need special accommodations are responsible to contact the Office of Academic Affairs; it is the student’s responsibility to make their condition known to PHSU designated officials and to seek out assistance. The impairment must be one that substantially limits a major life activity. If you have a psychological disability or medical condition that you believe requires modification to the standards conditions, apply for accommodation. (Refer to Reasonable Accommodations Policy in Student Handbook)

Campus Resources

Post-Secondary Reasonable Accommodation Passport Act.

Law Num. 250 of 15 September 2012

The purpose of this law is to establish a mechanism to facilitate the provision of access to higher education institutions for individuals with disabilities in a manner that is equitable to their peers, without hindrance, and responsive to their needs. Additionally, it assigns responsibilities to post secondary institutions and examination entities aimed at ensuring barrier-free admission methods for students with disabilities in terms of admission processes or tests. It is also intended for the State to implement a coordinated, effective, and holistic transitional system between the secondary school education system and post-secondary education institutions. Any individual with disabilities will have the opportunity to voluntarily avail themselves of the benefits of the Reasonable Accommodation Passport and an extended admission process.

COMMON RESPONSIBILITIES

1. The Department of Education, private colleges, the Vocational Rehabilitation Administration, the College Board, the SAT, and postsecondary institutions will work as a team to ensure that individuals with disabilities utilize and benefit from the Postsecondary Reasonable Accommodation Passport to achieve their academic and college goals.
2. Implement administrative actions against officials who violate the rights of individuals with disabilities.
3. Establish a quality control system to ensure promptness, effectiveness, and efficiency in service provision.
4. Provide guidance to parents, guardians, or caretakers of individuals with disabilities regarding their rights, responsibilities, and duties related to individuals with disabilities and their passports.
5. Maintain a confidential record of participants and services provided under this Act.
6. Collaborate to establish a staff training and development system to comply with this Law’s requirements.
7. Ensure service continuity by developing coordination to facilitate the transition of individuals with disabilities through various stages of their post-secondary life.
8. Disseminate details of this Act to the general population as a means of reaching potential participants.
9. Take necessary actions to eliminate architectural and electronic barriers that hinder individuals with disabilities from having equal academic opportunities.
10. Provide parents, guardians, or caretakers of individuals with disabilities, when appropriate and necessary, access to the Specialist Data Bank so that individuals with disabilities and/or their parents can make informed decisions when necessary.

SPECIFIC RESPONSABILITIES

Responsibilities of the Department of Education:

• Ensure that the COMPU or the professional counselor, as applicable, prepares and submits the Reasonable Accommodation Passport to the College Board and/or SAT in accordance with the principles established in this Law for its implementation in the university entrance exam process for individuals with disabilities.
• Ensure that the COMPU or the professional counselor, as applicable, applies to the university institution where the individual with disabilities applied for admission the Postsecondary Passport of Reasonable Accommodation for its implementation in the regular and/or extended admission process.
• Provide information, guidance, and technical assistance to the College Board and/or SAT regarding the implementation of the Post-Secondary Passport of Reasonable Accommodation, ensuring confidentiality and non-discriminatory treatment of individuals with disabilities.
• Provide information, guidance, and technical assistance to the university through which the individual with disabilities applied on the implementation of the Postsecondary Passport of Reasonable Accommodation for the regular admissions process and/or extended admission.
• Develop and implement a Manual of Procedures for its implementation within 180 days from the entry into force of this Law.

Responsibilities of Private Colleges/Schools:

• Ensure that the school’s career counselor or guidance counselor, as applicable, prepares and processes the Postsecondary Passport of Reasonable Accommodation to the College Board and/or SAT, in accordance with the principles established by this Law for its implementation in the pre-admission process and examination for individuals with disabilities.
• Ensure that the school’s career counselor or guidance counselor, as applicable, applies for the Postsecondary Passport of Reasonable Accommodation to the institution where the student with a disability applied for admission for its implementation in the regular and/or extended admission process.
• Provide information, guidance, and technical assistance to the College Board and/or SAT regarding the implementation of the Post-Secondary Passport of Reasonable Accommodation.
• Provide information, guidance, and technical assistance to the university through which the individual with disabilities applied on the implementation of the Postsecondary Passport of Reasonable Accommodation for the Regular Admissions Process and/or Extended admission.
• Develop and implement a Manual of Procedures for its implementation within 180 days from the entry into force of this Law.

DISPUTE RESOLUTION

In accordance with the powers established in the Act creating the Office of the Procurator for Persons with Disabilities, Act No. 2 of September 27, 1985, the Procurator for Persons with Disabilities will be the primary entity responsible for resolving complaints filed for non-compliance with any provisions included in this Law, without prejudice to the procedures established within each entity or agency, as applicable. The Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Puerto Rico may concurrently assume jurisdiction or determine it in accordance with their respective laws. For the Department of Education, the administrative procedure for complaints will be applicable, including the Secretariat Unit for Grievance Procedure and Interim Remedy and the Office of Inspection of Complaints.

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

https://de.pr.gov/leyes-y-reglamentos/

https://intraedu.dde.pr/Comunicados%20Oficiales/202103110533.pdf

https://www.lexjuris.com/lexlex/leyes2012/lexl2012250.htm