The Office of Student Disabilities Services welcomes you to
the University of Pennsylvania!

The Self-Identification Process

PENN is committed to making all of its educational opportunities accessible to students with disabilities in compliance with two Federal statutes: the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990. In accordance with our commitment, PENN invites students with disabilities to self-identify during the admissions process or at any time during their course of study as enrolled students.

How and When to Self-Identify

• The self-identification process for students with disabilities is confidential and voluntary.
• There are two points at which a student with a disability may identify as having a disability to the Office of Student Disabilities Services:

At Admissions

The University invites students with disabilities to self-identify with the Office of Student Disabilities Services (SDS) at the Learning Resources Center. An applicant for admission to Penn may disclose his or her disability by completing a self-identification form addressed to SDS enclosed in the admissions packet. Applicants may also go to the SDS web site to complete the Self-Id form.

During the Course of Study

Although the self-identification process is confidential and completely voluntary and may occur at any time during a student's course of study, it is required for those requesting accommodation. Therefore, it is important for students with disabilities (and those who perceive themselves to have a disability) to adhere to the guidelines described below:

• All students who seek an accommodation must identify themselves to SDS.
• All students have the responsibility to provide documentation at their own expense in order to be considered for accommodations.
• Additional documentation from students may be required if the determination of a disability is inconclusive or if the documentation does not support the accommodation(s) requested.
• The request for accommodation and supporting documentation must be provided in a timely manner.

The Voluntary Self-Identification Process - Exceptions to Confidentiality

As noted previously, the self-identification is voluntary and confidential. The Office of Student Disabilities Services keeps self-identification information confidential. There are exceptions to confidentiality whereby other individuals in the following situations may be informed of the student's disability and/or need for reasonable accommodation:

The student's professors and advisors may be informed about any reasonable accommodation(s) needed relevant to the disability, with the student's permission.

First aid personnel, if necessary, may be informed of the disclosed disability for the purpose of administering possible emergency medical treatment.
Government officials may be informed of the student's disclosed disability for the purpose of auditing the University's compliance with the Federal laws identified in this program description that prohibit discrimination against persons with disabilities.

Reasonable Accommodation

Although the self-identification process for students with disabilities is confidential and voluntary, it is required for those students who request reasonable accommodation.
Reasonable accommodations are provided on an individual, case-by-case basis.

Six criteria are used to determine whether a requested accommodation is reasonable. The accommodation requested:

1. is based on documented individual needs for accommodation;
2. allows for the most integrated experience possible;
3. does not fundamentally alter the essential requirements of a course or program;
4. does not pose a threat to personal or public safety;
5. does not impose undue financial or administrative burden;
6. is not of a personal nature (e.g., paying for an attendant).

Appropriate Documentation

PENN requires that a student provide appropriate documentation in order to establish the existence of the disability and the need for accommodation and/or services.

PENN also reserves the right to request additional documentation if the determination of accommodation is inconclusive or does not support the accommodation(s) requested.

Students are responsible for any expenses incurred in obtaining this documentation.

Reasonable Academic Accommodation Examples

Here are some examples of reasonable academic accommodations that PENN provides to its students with disabilities.

Academic Accommodations

Allowing students additional time to complete exams
Allowing students to tape lectures Reproducing reading materials, charts, and exams in large print Permitting students to take exams in alternate locations
Permitting students to use equipment to take exams (e.g., a word processor or a machine that enlarges print)

• Auxiliary Aids and Services
• Providing interpreters, computer aided transcription services, assistive listening systems
• Providing readers, taped texts, Braille material

Other Reasonable Accommodations

• Providing integrated accessible housing and transportation services
• Providing access to extracurricular programs
• Providing orientation to campus facilities
• Providing adaptive technology in computer labs
• Providing relocation of class to accessible location when needed

For additional information about the Voluntary Self-Identification Program, contact:

Student Disabilities Services is located at:
Stouffer Commons, Ste 300
3702 Spruce Street, Philadelphia PA 19104-6027

Office hours are Monday through Friday, from 9:00am to 5:00pm

Phone: (215) 573-9235
TDD: (215) 746-6320
FAX: (215) 746-6326
E-mail: sdsmail@pobox.upenn.edu

Copyright © 2003, University of Pennsylvania
3451 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104 · 215-898-5000
Copyright Information | Contact Us | Privacy Policy | Disclaimer

Visit the Vice Provost for University Life website