The School of Law is committed to ensuring equal access to education for all of our students. This includes ensuring equal access for every student regardless of disability in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and other state and federal laws governing disability and accessibility.
The School of Law provides reasonable accommodations to its law students with medically documented qualifying disabilities who have registered with Accessibility Services. Accommodations include reasonable adjustment of policies, practices, and procedures, auxiliary aids and services and academic adjustments and modifications established on an individualized basis for each requesting student which includes the review of any accommodation history, current supporting medical documentation corroborating the request and a collaborative meeting with the Director of Accessibility to discuss the student's particular needs.
Reasonable accommodations are intended to remove barriers to equal access to our law school program. However, accommodations resulting in undue burden or which fundamentally alter the course of study are not considered reasonable and will not be granted. In determining whether accommodations fundamentally alter the course of study, we are guided by various considerations, including the faculty approved learning outcomes as published on page 2 of the Student Handbook. Please also note that retroactive accommodations will not be permitted.
How do I apply for accommodations through the Office of Student Accessibility and Inclusion?
Take a look at our step-by-step process here. If you have any questions, feel free to contact the office at 305-284-4551 or access@law.miami.edu.
Will I receive the same accommodations in law school that I have received in prior degree programs?
Possibly not. Receipt of prior accommodations does not guarantee receipt of current accommodations. If there has been any change in your diagnosis or current functioning you may need additional, different, or less accommodations during your study of law. If your diagnosis has not changed, and your current academic functional limitations have remained the same (not improved or diminished), evidenced by your current supporting medical documentation, the next consideration is whether the accommodation is reasonable in law school. Certain accommodations may not be considered appropriate or reasonable in law school based upon the fundamental aspects of our program and course of study. Decisions are made on a case-by-case basis, taking into consideration each individual student’s particular needs.
I received accommodations on the LSAT. Will I automatically receive the same accommodations in law school?
Possibly not. In most cases, where the request is related to the same academic limitation, considered to be a reasonable accommodation and is supported by required medical documentation, deference will likely be given to the decision made by the Law School Admissions Council (LSAC). However, students should never assume that the LSAC’s determination of reasonable accommodations will automatically roll over to the law school. All students are required to adhere to the law school’s formal process to request academic accommodations which includes providing the required supporting medical documentation and participating in an interactive and collaborative process. Information on required documentation can be found on our website. Keep in mind that the Florida Bar (and many other state bars) have more stringent requirements than the LSAC for requesting accommodations on the bar exam, and thus having updated and comprehensive medical documentation will be required.
I wish to apply for accommodations for the first time in Law School. Will I be approved?
Possibly. In addition to current functional limitations, a student’s history of accommodations is also taken into consideration when reviewing accommodation requests. This does not mean that if you have never received accommodations prior to law school that you cannot have them in law school. What it does mean is that your supporting medical documentation must sufficiently establish a current need for the accommodation in this course of study at the current time. Accommodation requests are reviewed, and accommodations granted or denied on an individual, case-by-case basis, and are not based solely on a diagnosis.
Why am I being asked for documentation that I have never been asked for before?
Every institution or testing agency implements its own process for requesting accommodations which includes the specific documentation and testing required. Accommodations are determined based upon current functioning in the particular environment and can change over time and/or academic course or program.
Will my absences be excused due to my disability?
Possibly. Each professor establishes his or her own attendance policy. All students who will be absent from class for any reason should complete the Absence Notification Online Form. Some professors rely on this form and track reasons for an absence. Others only count total numbers of absences. If a student is in doubt about the policy in a given class, he or she should check with the professor. The Dean of Students does not have the authority to override a professor’s absence policy.
I have always used a computer as an accommodation. Will that be a problem in law school?
Some professors at the law school have NO LAPTOP policies in their classrooms. Some professors have determined that laptops interrupt the classroom experience and particularly the Socratic dialogue. If a student has requested a waiver of the NO LAPTOP policy, provided sufficient and current supporting medical documentation, and been granted a laptop exception by Accessibility Services – then we will work with you to evaluate reasonable alternatives.
What if I cannot afford to get documentation for a disability? Is there any plan that would let a student purchase assistive technology to be used for law studies?
Please contact the Office of Student Financial Assistance and Employment at 305-284-6000 or gradprof.finaid@miami.edu if you need additional funds to pay for documentation for a disability or equipment that relates to educational goals. The expense can often be built into your student budget.
As a law student, am I guaranteed the same accommodations that I received at my undergraduate school?
No. You must first comply with the requirements stated in our documentation guidelines. Once a completed request has been made, and an interactive and collaborative meeting held with the Director, the file will be reviewed. A decision will be made to approve or deny each individual requested accommodations based upon the student’s current functional limitations they relate to the study of law, and in conjunction with faculty approved and profession driven core competencies. The approved accommodations may or may not reflect past accommodations.
What can I do if my accommodation request is denied because of "Insufficient Documentation"?
Review the documentation guidelines specific to your disability to make sure that supporting paperwork reflects all the information that is being requested. Speak to one’s treating professional so he or she can include any information that was missing.
