Physical Disabilities & Chronic Illnesses

Physical Disabilities

Pomona College is committed to making the campus accessible.  Students who are concerned about accessibility should make these concerns known as soon as possible. Students seeking accommodations for mobility impairments should present documentation from a qualified medical professional, and this professional should include information about the diagnosis and how it was reached.  The dean will work with the student to determine appropriate housing and classroom assignments and other accommodations.

For individuals with visual impairments or low vision, appropriate documentation includes documentation from a qualified medical professional.  The dean’s office can provide note-takers, audio recordings of lectures and other material, or special software.  The College will work with the individual student to create appropriate accommodations.

For students who are hearing impaired, provisions can be made for students to work with tutors or note-takers.  Documentation from a qualified medical professional is required.  This report should also include recommendations about accommodations. The College will work, in collaboration with the student, to determine appropriate accommodations.

The College is committed to working with students to create appropriate course scheduling options and housing options in light of the student’s needs.  For the above disabilities, information documenting the onset, longevity, and severity of the symptoms, as well as specifics describing how the disability has created challenges for educational achievement is necessary.

Chronic Health Disabilities

The College provides services and accommodations to persons with chronic health disabilities for both academic and workplace settings. The goal of accommodations is to foster independence by helping students have the appropriate strategies and accommodations for success. Many chronic health disabilities fluctuate in severity. This type of disability may impact one or more of the body's systems, including the respiratory, immunological, neurological and circulatory systems. Since a person's health condition may change, the nature of and need for reasonable accommodations may also change.

Post-Concussion Disability Accommodations

For post-concussion injuries, we will attempt to provide reasonable academic accommodations to provide students with post-concussive academic support.  Accommodations will only be made if a student has met with a medical provider and has appropriate documentation to show that they have been appropriately diagnosed and are undergoing treatment. If the concussion is related to an athletic team injury, the athletic trainer will provide documentation verifying the date of concussion. Students are to meet with a Dean in the Dean of Students office to discuss these accommodations.