Disability Services

Accessibility Services

Mission and Goals

The mission of Mars Hill University Accessibility Services is to remove barriers and ensure fair access for students with accessibility challenges.  Reasonable accommodations may be afforded to qualified students with accessibility issues that substantially limit one or more major life activities as relative to the general population. Services to students with accessibility issues are designed to allow access to university programs by providing reasonable accommodations. Accommodations are provided when necessary as determined on a case-by-case basis through an interactive process between the student and the Accessibility Services Coordinator.

In support of this mission, the goals of the Office of Accessibility Services are to:

  • Engage in an interactive process with prospective students to determine eligibility for accommodations and with qualifying students to determine appropriate academic or facility related accommodations that will reduce barriers but not fundamentally alter essential components of the course, program, activity, or experience;
  • Coordinate and provide accommodations and related support services necessary to access university programs and services for students with accessibility issues;
  • Serve as a resource and advocate for students with accessibility issues while promoting independence and responsibility;
  • Assist the University in compliance with the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), its Amendments, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; and the Fair Housing Act
  • Foster awareness and support for faculty, staff, and administration regarding the needs of students with accessibility issues.

How to Request Accessibility Services

It is the student’s responsibility to disclose a disability and request accommodations through the Office of Accessibility Services. While requests for accommodations may be submitted at any time during a student’s enrollment, students are strongly encouraged to submit requests by the suggested priority deadlines to allow sufficient time for review, communication with relevant departments (e.g., faculty or Residence Life), and implementation of accommodations prior to the start of the term.

Please note that accommodations are not retroactive and cannot be applied to academic work, housing assignments, or other university activities that occurred before the accommodation process is completed.

To request accommodations, students must complete and submit the appropriate form(s) along with current documentation from a licensed healthcare or mental health provider. For more information, see Healthcare Provider Documentation Guidelines.

There are separate initial and renewal request forms for both academic and housing accommodations:

  • Academic Accommodation Initial Request Form – for students requesting academic accommodations for the first time
  • Academic Accommodation Renewal Form – for students previously approved who wish to renew academic accommodations for a new term
  • Housing Accommodation Initial Request Form – for students requesting housing accommodations for the first time
  • Housing Accommodation Renewal Form – for returning students who wish to maintain approved housing accommodations for the upcoming academic year

Documentation from a licensed healthcare or mental health provider is required only for initial accommodation requests or if the student is requesting modifications or additional accommodations during the renewal process. Students who are renewing previously approved accommodations without changes do not need to resubmit documentation.

Students may provide documentation in one of two ways:

  • A completed Healthcare Provider Verification Form, or
  • A letter on official letterhead from their licensed provider that addresses all required elements outlined in the documentation guidelines.

Academic Accommodations

Academic accommodation requests are reviewed within 10 business days of receiving all required documentation and forms, and students will be notified of the decision via their MHU email.

  • For new academic requests and modifications to existing accommodations, students are required to schedule a meeting with the Director of Accessibility Services to review the request, complete their Academic Accommodation Plan (AAP), and sign the Academic Accommodation Agreement Form.
  • For renewals without changes, students may complete and sign the Academic Accommodation Renewal Form and Agreement Form to continue accommodations.

Suggested Submission Deadlines for Academic Accommodations:

  • Fall Semester: August 1
  • Spring Semester: January 5
  • Summer Term: Two weeks prior to the first day of classes

Although academic accommodation requests may be submitted at any time, students are strongly encouraged to meet these suggested deadlines to allow for timely processing and implementation before the semester begins.

Housing Accommodations

Housing accommodation requests are reviewed within 10 business days of receiving all required documentation and forms, and students will be notified of the decision via their MHU email.

  • For new housing requests and modifications to existing housing accommodations, students must schedule a meeting with the Director of Accessibility Services to review their request and sign the Housing Agreement Form.
  • For renewals without changes, students must submit the Housing Accommodation Renewal Form prior to the university’s Housing Selection and Room Preference Process in the spring.

In all cases, students are responsible for following up with Residence Life after approval to confirm housing placement and finalize implementation. Accommodations are not considered finalized until this step is complete.

Priority Deadlines for Housing Accommodations:

  • Fall Semester (New Incoming Students): June 1
  • Fall Semester (Returning Students – Renewals): March 5
  • Spring Semester (All Students): November 1

Note: Late submissions may result in waitlisting, limited housing options, or delayed implementation. Housing accommodations submitted after priority deadlines are not guaranteed, even if the student is otherwise eligible. Students are strongly encouraged to submit their requests by the applicable deadline.