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Procedure for Substitutions and Modifications of Graduation Requirements for Students with Disabilities

This page describes the procedure students should use to initiate course substitution/modification requests. It also details the procedure that SAR and the appropriate committee will follow during the review process.

The University of West Florida is committed to the full inclusion of students with disabilities in all curricular and co-curricular opportunities as mandated by Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act.  If a course or requirement for graduation is a barrier due to a disability, students can request a modification to their graduation requirements on the basis of disability.  

There are two separate processes based on the type of modification being requested.  Students are encouraged to contact Student Accessibility Resources for assistance with navigating the appeal process.

Student Responsibilities

  • Register with Student Accessibility Resources 
    • A student requesting an academic accommodation/adjustment such as a course substitution or modification of a graduation requirement based on a disability must register with Student Accessibility Resources. To properly register with Student Accessibility Resources, the student must:
  • Submit the Academic Appeals form
    • After meeting with staff, the student will need to submit the Academic Appeals form.
      • After the registration meeting, the student will need to Log in to your MyUWF account
      • Search for 'Academic Appeals'
      • Select the type of Appeal - either General Education Appeals or Foreign Language Requirement
      • Choose Term
      • Indicate if you are working or are registered with any of the listed support offices on campus
      • Click 'Start Appeal'
      • Select 'Review Document'
      • Select 'Continue' - attach a personal statement with the reason for appeal. (For appeals related to disability, SAR staff will attach a letter regarding disability when the form is routed to Student Accessibility Resources. The student will not need to attach documentation to appeal)
      • Sign document
      • Select 'Finish'
      • **You will then receive notification in your student email account - the appeal form will not be activated and forwarded until you have acknowledged it in your Gmail account** 

Student Accessibility Resources Responsibilities

  • Student Accessibility Resources staff will meet with the student to review the Substitution/Modification Request Form, medical documentation, academic history, and records of accommodations and support used in prior attempts to meet the requirement(s).
  • The Student Accessibility Resources Associate Director or Director will sign the Substitution/Modification Request Form and provide a letter either supporting or not supporting the requested accommodation to the appropriate committee for review. 

Appeal Committee Responsibilities

  • Review the Substitution/Modification Request Form and the letter from Student Accessibility Resources.
  • Make a final decision on whether or not the student’s Request for Course
  • Substitution/Modification will be approved or denied.
  • Notify the Registrar’s Office of the final decision if approved.
  • The student has the right to appeal the committee's decision to the appropriate College
  • Dean who has oversight of the student's program of study.

Student Responsibilities

  • Register with Student Accessibility Resources 
    • A student requesting an academic accommodation/adjustment such as a course substitution or modification of a graduation requirement based on a disability must register with Student Accessibility Resources. To properly register with Student Accessibility Resources, the student must:
  • Submit the SAR Substitution/Modification Request Form
    • After meeting with staff, the student will need to submit the SAR Substitution/Modification Request Form with appropriate documentation of a disability demonstrating the student’s inability to meet the requirement based upon the disability. This form initiates a course substitution review process. 

Student Accessibility Resources Responsibilities

  • Staff will meet with the student to review the Substitution/Modification Request Form, medical documentation, academic history, and records of accommodations and support used in prior attempts to meet the requirement(s).
  • The Student Accessibility Resources Associate Director or Director will sign the Substitution/Modification Request Form and provide a letter either supporting or not supporting the requested accommodation to the appropriate committee for review.
  • The student can appeal the denial of support by submitting an appeal letter to the Associate Director within ten (10) business days of the denial.

Appropriate Committee, or Department Chair Responsibilities

  • Review the Substitution/Modification Request Form and letter from Student Accessibility Resources.
  • Make a final decision on whether or not the student’s Request for Course Substitution/Modification will be approved or denied.
  • Notify the Registrar’s Office of the final decision if approved.
  • The student has the right to appeal the committee's decision to the appropriate College Dean who has oversight of the student's program of study within ten (10) business days.

NOTE: The University of West Florida cannot guarantee that substitutions granted will be honored at any other college or university either for general admission, graduation requirements, transfer admission, or admission into a specific degree program. Furthermore, the University does not automatically honor course substitutions granted by other colleges or universities. It is the student’s responsibility to contact the college or university to request information on the degree program requirements.

 

 

To request this page or any information referenced on the page in an alternative format, please email sar@uwf.edu.