Accessibility Services

Gannon University's Office of Accessibility Services offers academic accommodations for all students with documented disabilities. The Office assists eligible students in receiving *reasonable accommodations pursuant to Federal law - Act 504 (1973), Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA 1990), and Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments (ADAA 1990) - under current guidelines from the Office of Civil Rights and Department of Justice.

The Office of Accessibility Services requires that all students who apply for academic accommodations, such as extended test time, provide official documentation sent directly from the diagnosing agency to the Office of Accessibility Services. Documentation should include documentation of the disability by a licensed professional and a statement concerning resulting limitations and recommended accommodations.

If a student's doctor/physician or diagnosing agency would prefer to fill out an Office of Accessibility Services form to provided needed information, the Office of Accessibility Services can provide that form, per the student's request. Completed forms must be mailed or faxed directly to Christine Samuelson, Gannon University, Office of Accessibility Services, Palumbo Academic Center, 109 University Square, Erie, PA 16541: fax 814-871-7499. The documentation for diagnosis of a disabling condition and the functional limitations experienced by the student will be reviewed by the professional staff.

Staff will determine the appropriate, reasonable academic accommodations, if any, for each student on an individual, case-by-case basis. A diagnosis of a disorder, condition, or syndrome in and of itself does not automatically qualify an individual for accommodations.

A student with psychological diagnosis must provide documentation prepared by a licensed mental health professional, psychologist/psychiatrist, physician, detailing the current diagnosis of a disabling condition and the impact such condition will have on the student's academic activities. 

Students seeking information or assistance in any matter regarding qualification, accessibility or reasonable accommodations should contact Lisa Laird promptly upon admission to the University.  Students may also come to the Student Success Center in the Palumbo Academic Center (PC1025) to make an appointment with the Director.

Contact Information

• Office of Accessibility Services office - ods@gannon.edu
• Lisa Laird, Office of Accessibility Services Director - laird004@gannon.edu
• Christy Samuelson, Office of Accessibility Services Student Support Liaison  - augustin005@gannon.edu

Requesting Accommodations

1. The Office of Accessibility Services is located on the first floor in the AJ Palumbo Academic Building, Student Success Center (SSC) and will be glad to process your request for accommodations, such as extended test time.
2. At the start of each semester, please request accommodation letters provided by the Office of Accessibility Services, to give to your professors to let them know that you are requesting reasonable academic accommodations.
3. Each exam a student takes at the Office of Accessibility Services will require a test accommodation form completed by both the student and professor and returned to the Office of Accessibility Services.  Your professors will provide the Office of Accessibility Services with a copy of your exam.
4. The Office of Accessibility Services requires exams scheduled 1 week prior to the student taking the exam. This will give the Office of Accessibility Services staff advanced notice and helps to assure students of a private distraction reduced room and extended time for exams.
5. Please call Lisa Laird (814)-871-5522 if you have any questions.  She will be happy to help.

Reasonable Accommodations

Reasonable accommodations do not negate requirements for successful completion of a course or program.

In determining the University's definition of reasonable accommodations to an otherwise qualified student with a disability, issues to be determined may include:

• the academic and technical standards required for admission or participation in an educational program or service
• the purpose and nature of the course or program
• the documented limitations of the student and how those limitations could be overcome with reasonable accommodations
• other Federal, State and Local regulatory requirements.

The University is not required to provide accommodations if:

• the nature of the program or course would be fundamentally altered
• the student is not otherwise qualified (with or without accommodations) to meet the academic and technical standards required for admission or participation in a program, or course
• the effects of the disability cannot be overcome even with reasonable accommodations
• the individual would not be able to complete the program, or course, even with reasonable accommodations.

Accommodations Differences between High School and Postsecondary