Office of Accessibility Services (OAS)

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Office of Accessibility Services (OAS)

The Office of Accessibility Services (OAS) works closely with the Learning Commons and Testing Center in providing accommodations and services to meet the needs of qualified students. Qualified students are those who have a disability* as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or the guidelines for Section 504 of the Federal Rehabilitation Act.

• Definition of a Disability: A person has a disability if he or she has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more “major life activities.” Major life activities include functions such as walking, seeing, hearing, breathing, learning, working, caring for oneself, and performing manual tasks

For additional questions, please email accommodate@franklin.edu

How To Register

Please follow the guidelines below to register with the Office of Accessibility Services.

Gather supporting medical documentation from a qualified medical professional (you will need this to submit your OAS Application) Click here for the OAS Medical Form.
Apply – click here to fill out the Office of Accessibility Services Student Application. (Note: you must be a registered student with valid student ID number to apply)
Submit supporting medical documentation – attach provided medical form to the bottom of OAS application.

a. If you are unable to get the provided form filled out, we will also accept a letter from your doctor, psychologist, or a copy of your medical records that discusses your disability.

b. Additional documentation can be submitted at any time through the ClockWork dashboard
Schedule Intake Appointment - all students are required to schedule an intake interview with our office in order to move forward with determining what accommodation(s), if any, would make an equitable learning experience for you at Franklin. This should be done as early as possible to ensure that we can set up accommodations before you start your courses as accommodations are never retroactive.

a. To schedule your intake appointment please click here
-If you are unable to access the online registration form, please contact OAS at accommodate@franklin.edu to request a copy of the application in an alternate format.

Confidentiality Statement: Disability information is shared only on a limited basis within the University and only when there is compelling need to communicate with faculty and staff in order to achieve implementation of reasonable accommodations.

Documentation Guidelines: If the information on the submitted form is incomplete or inadequate, you may be required to provide additional information. You are responsible for any costs associated with obtaining documentation. Accommodations are determined on a case-by-case basis, depending on the nature of the disability and the information provided.

Success Strategies

Success Strategies for Students with Disabilities

Seek out help when you need it.
Support from others is key to success. Don't get discouraged; speak with your Academic Advisor for help in picking classes, then create a study schedule. Communicating directly with your instructors is an important part of a successful academic career at Franklin University. Not only will one-on-one meetings help you to get the most out of the academic opportunities available to you, but they also give you the chance to clearly convey your particular accommodation needs.
Map out how you will use your time.
With more unscheduled time, it can be easy to fall behind in coursework. Find a time management tool that's easy and convenient for you, like a daily planner or a PDA, and set aside 15 minutes daily to map out your day. Be realistic about the time your tasks will take, and remember to schedule in breaks and adequate sleep.
Plan ahead, especially for final projects and tests that are a big part of your grade.
Break down assignments into smaller, more manageable chunks, using the syllabus that the professor has given you. For example, if you know reading a chapter takes you several hours, break it into sections and plan to read in chunks.
Organize your study space.
Clutter at your desk makes it tough to work. Make a task list of the things you need to get done and keep it in your work space. Develop study routines so that your study habits are conducive to learning.
Start early.
Fear of failure or feeling overwhelmed are some of the main reasons that students procrastinate. If you have difficulty getting started, don't be afraid to talk to the professor. They can help you outline realistic steps toward beginning and completing your work.
Identify problems that repeatedly get in your way.
If you're feeling frustrated, try to figure out why you are feeling that way and how you can problem-solve. Some questions you can ask yourself: "Am I frustrated because my disability sometimes requires me to work harder than other students? Do I need a study buddy? Should I work on this course in smaller bites because it's so difficult for me?"

Success Strategies for Instructors Working with Students with Disabilities

Keep the Lines of Communication Open.
Dialogue between students with disabilities and their instructors is essential early in the term, and follow-up meetings are recommended. Faculty should not feel apprehensive about discussing students’ needs as they relate to the course.
Facilitate Access not Necessarily Success.
The objective of academic adjustments is always to accommodate the student’s disability and not to dilute scholastic requirements. The purpose of any accommodation is to facilitate access and not student success.
Universal Design in Education.

“The design of products and environments to be usable by all students, to the greatest extent possible, without the need for adaptation or specialized design.” Proactively creating and promoting a more accessible and inclusive Franklin University environment that offers access as part of the natural educational experience.

Disabled individuals must be able to:

Engage in the same activities
Access the same information; and
Enjoy the same services and benefits as a person without a disability

This access must occur:

In an equally effective and integrated manner
With substantially equivalent ease of use; and
Free of discrimination

Additional Resources

Students gain access to their registered courses 10 days prior to the scheduled start date so that students can access and view the course syllabus and assignment due dates.

If you attempt to log in to your course during this time frame and are unable to view your course(s) please reach out to our Help Desk team for assistance.

Technology Support
https://www.franklin.edu/current-students/student-services/technology-support

The Franklin University Help Desk is available during the following hours:
Monday through Thursday: 8AM - 8PM (EST)
Friday: 8AM - 5PM (EST)
Saturday: 9AM - 1PM (EST)
Sunday: 1PM - 5PM (EST)

The Franklin University Help Desk can be reached by:
Chat: helpdesk.franklin.edu
Phone 1.866.435.7006 or 614.947.6222

Canvas Mobile Application
https://support.franklin.edu/hc/en-us/articles/360042235193-The-Canvas-Mobile-App-for-Students

Learning Commons
Phone
Library: 614.947.6550 or toll free 1.866.341.6252
Tutoring: 614.947.6800 or toll free 1.866.341.6206
Testing: 614.947.6807 or toll free 1.866.341.6206

Email
Library: library@franklin.edu
Tutoring: slc@franklin.edu
Testing: testing@franklin.edu

Research Coaching - During this one-on-one appointment with a librarian, you’ll learn how to use library resources and tools, find subject-specific sources, employ research strategies, and more!
https://www.franklin.edu/learning-commons/library/research-coaching

Tutoring/Writing Services - As a Franklin student, you have access to free tutoring services. With online options, you can be sure to find something that fits your needs and your schedule.
https://www.franklin.edu/learning-commons/tutoring-workshops/tutoring

Workshops - The Learning Commons offers both Test Review and Skill-Building Workshops
https://www.franklin.edu/learning-commons/tutoring-workshops/workshops

Structured Learning Assistance - Structured Learning Assistance (SLA) provides you with an opportunity to ask questions and reinforce the course material. 93% of participants surveyed indicated that they felt better prepared for homework and exams after attending SLA.
https://www.franklin.edu/learning-commons/tutoring-workshops/structured-learning-assistance

Video Tutorials
https://www.franklin.edu/learning-commons/help-support/learning-commons-passport

Canvas and Your Franklin E-mail
https://www.franklin.edu/current-students/blog/canvas-and-your-franklin-e-mail

Time Management
https://blog.rescuetime.com/time-management-for-students/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J815fTmr9qE

Time Management log download
https://www.mytimemanagement.com/support-files/time-management-log1.pdf

24/7 Counseling Support
Student Support Program - At Franklin University, there are many resources available to support positive mental health. Franklin University’s counseling support program, provided by TELUS Health, is here to help, accessible 24/7, 365 days a year.
https://www.franklin.edu/current-students/student-services/counseling-services

National Resources
If you are having suicidal thoughts or experiencing a mental health crisis call:

988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: Dial 988 for 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress
- En Español: 988
- For Deaf + Hard of Hearing persons: Use preferred relay service or dial 711 then 988
- 988lifeline.org
Netcare Access: 614.276.2273 for 24-hour mental health and substances abuse crisis intervention and assessments to all residents of Franklin County
- netcareaccess.org
Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 to connect with a Crisis Counselor
- crisistextline.org

Clockwork
https://support.franklin.edu/hc/en-us/articles/38999059802903-Students-Requesting-a-Letter-of-Accommodation

https://support.franklin.edu/hc/en-us/articles/38999481936279-Instructors-Review-Student-Letters-of-Accommodation

Scholarships
For additional scholarship information please click here (https://www.franklin.edu/tuition-financial-aid/scholarships)

Procedure to Appeal Accommodation Determinations
The Office of Accessibility Services (OAS) is committed to an interactive process that evaluates each individual student request for accommodations on a case-by-case basis. The goal of OAS is to determine appropriate and reasonable accommodations that provide equal access to opportunities for students at Franklin University.

There may be times when requests for accommodation(s) are not approved. Accommodations may not be approved if there is no evidence of a barrier to equal access based on the student's disability. This may be the case if a student’s disability is not the root cause of the barrier, or it the disability is not a barrier to equal access to a program or activity. It is important to remember that accommodations are not designed to ensure academic success, eliminate discomfort, meet personal preferences, or serve as medical or therapeutic treatment.

While OAS cannot guarantee an outcome that meets each student’s personal preferences, students can be assured that we will thoroughly review all relevant information and documentation and may consult with necessary experts to determine appropriate and reasonable accommodations.

Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, equal access means the opportunity to participate in and benefit from the university’s programs, services, and facilities in a manner that is equitable—not identical—to that of individuals without disabilities.

If you believe an accommodation was wrongfully denied, you may follow the steps below to file an appeal.

How to File an OAS Appeal
Step 1: Student initiates Informal Resolution Process with Office of Accessibility Coordinator. This step must be completed prior to filing a formal appeal.

Step 2: Student Completes Appeal Form- If you are dissatisfied with outcome of the informal resolution process, students may file an appeal using the Accommodation Appeal Form within 10 working days of conclusion of the informal resolution process. Click HERE for Appeal Form

Step 3: Review Process- Once the appeal form has been received, the Accommodation Review Committee will meet to evaluate provided documentation and determine outcome.

Step 4: Final Determination- Students will receive a final determination in a written response to their Franklin University email within 10 working days of submitting the appeal form.

Concerns Regarding Faculty Response to Accommodations
If there are concerns regarding accommodations not being provided according to your Letter of Accommodation (LOA) and have already discussed with the instructor, please reach out to the Office of Accessibility Services Coordinator as soon as possible. The OAS Coordinator acts as a liaison between the student, the instructor, and other relevant administrators (i.e. Course Coordinator, Department Chair, Dean) as necessary to help facilitate a resolution.

Franklin University Founded in 1902, Franklin is an accredited nonprofit university offering flexible college degrees online and at locations in Ohio and the Midwest.

Franklin University
201 S Grant Ave.
Columbus, OH 43215

Local: (614) 797-4700
Toll Free: (877) 341-6300
admissions@franklin.edu

Franklin University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org/800.621.7440) and authorized by the Ohio Department of Higher Education.

Franklin University is committed to being an inclusive community free from all forms of discrimination and harassment.

Office of Accessibility Services (OAS)

How To Register

Success Strategies

Additional Resources

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