HU is committed to providing equal education opportunity and full participation for persons with disabilities. It is HU’s policy that no qualified person be excluded from participating in any HU program or activity, be denied the benefits of any HU program or activity, or otherwise be subject to discrimination regarding any HU program or activity. Toward this end, and in conjunction with the ADA and Section 504, HU provides reasonable accommodations for qualified students with various types of disabilities. Review our policy at the Accessibility Services SharePoint site.


Procedures for Assessing Accommodations

Step 1: Complete the Accommodations Request Form

  • Students must begin the accommodations process by completing the online Accommodations Request Form: https://harrisburguadvocate.symplicity.com/collections/accommodations

  • Submitting this form notifies Student Success of your request for accommodations and begins the interactive review process. Students should provide as much information as possible regarding their disability-related needs and any accommodations that have previously been effective.

  • Students must upload their current documentation regarding their disability to this request form. Documentation should indicate that the impairment substantially limits one or more major life activities. When submitting documentation, students are encouraged to describe accommodations or supports that have been effective in the past.

  • Specific documentation requirements can be found in the Documentation Policies section.

  • Determination of accommodations is an interactive process between the student and Student Success.


Step 2: Meet with Student Success and Discuss Your Needs

Once the Accommodations Request Form and appropriate documentation have been received, Student Success will schedule an intake meeting with the student, either in person or virtually. 


Student Success recognizes the student as a valuable source of information regarding the impact of their disability and the effectiveness of potential accommodations. During this meeting, staff will engage in an interactive process with the student to determine reasonable accommodations based on the documentation provided and the student's individual needs.


Step 3: Receive Your Access Letter(s)

Following the initial meeting, Student Success will send you your access letter(s), outlining your approved accommodations to you HU email address.

  • Academic Accommodations: It is the student’s responsibility to share their access letter(s) with the faculty teaching their courses each semester. Faculty are under no obligation to accommodate a student until the access letter(s) have been provided to them. Student Success recommends that students:
    1. Email their Access Letter to faculty at the start of each semester.
    2. Meet with faculty during the first week of classes to discuss how accommodations will be implemented.
    3. For Testing Accommodations ensure to complete the Exam Proctoring form at least one week in advance on the date you wish to schedule the exam. The form can be found at the Proctoring SharePoint Site: https://myharrisburgu.sharepoint.com/sites/SSsuccess/SitePages/Exam-Proctoring.aspx
  • Other Accommodations: Students are responsible for sharing their Access Letter(s) with any relevant university offices, such as Housing, that may need to implement accommodations. Please note that some offices may require additional forms or documentation. Students should contact those offices directly to determine any additional requirements.
If a student experiences accommodation-related difficulties, they should contact ADA@HarrisburgU.edufor assistance.


Step 4: Renew Your Accommodations

Students must monitor the expiration date listed on their Access Letter(s) and request renewal of accommodations by at least 60 days prior to the expiration date. Students must complete the renewal of accommodations by completing the online Accommodations Request Form: https://harrisburgu-advocate.symplicity.com/collections/accommodations. 


Students will be notified in April before the next academic year as a reminder to renew accommodations. Timely renewal requests help ensure that accommodations remain in place without interruption.