Applying For Accommodations

• Apply for admission to RMC, be accepted, and commit to Randolph-Macon College by submitting your deposit.
• Complete and submit the Academic Accommodation Application.  Already have disability documentation? Please include it in your accommodation application or email it to accessibility@rmc.edu. 

This application is only for students requesting academic accommodations. If you are requesting housing/dining accommodations, please refer to the Housing/Dining Accommodation section or the top of this page.

• Submit comprehensive documentation from a medical provider.  Disability documentation helps to establish disability and provides information on the impacts of the disability so effective accommodations may be identified. Please refer to our Documentation Guidelines before requesting documentation from your provider. 
• Once your accommodation application is submitted, the student will receive an email to schedule the Initial Meeting with Accessibility Resources (AR) staff member to discuss reasonable accommodations and disability documentation.

Refer to the Documentation Guidelines for detailed information on documentation, verification forms, and other documentation.

Students with temporary conditions (e.g. broken bones, recent surgery, concussions, etc.) may request temporary academic accommodations using the process described at the top of this page under Application Process.

Accommodations and services provided under an IEP, 504, or by another institution of higher education do NOT automatically transfer to Randolph-Macon College. A student is not registered with Accessibility Resources and may not receive disability accommodations/services, until they complete the process described at the top of this page under “Application Process” and they have received an Eligibility Letter via email from AR. Providing information to the Office of Admissions, or discussing disability services with an admissions counselor, faculty member, or staff member does NOT automatically register you for accommodations/services.

Disclosure of a disability to AR, disability documentation submitted by a student, and student accommodations are considered confidential. This information will not be noted on a transcript or permanent record. AR will not discuss a student’s disability or release any part of the documentation without the student’s informed consent.

Refer to the Appeal Process for detailed information on this process. 

 Students should complete the Housing/Dining Accommodation Application (link to online housing application). Requests should be made by the following dates:

• Returning Students: March 15
• New Students: June 1 

Students can submit a completed housing/dining request after the priority deadline above, there is no guarantee that, if approved, the requested accommodation will be provided during the upcoming/current academic year. 

Appropriate disability documentation should be submitted with the Housing/Dining Accommodation Application for students making their first housing/dining accommodation request or a different housing/dining accommodation request then was previously approved by Accessibility Resources (AR). Students can refer to the Documentation Guidelines page for detailed guidelines.

Providers can also complete one of the relevant provider verification form below:

• Housing/Dining Verification Form 
• Emotional Support Animal Verification Form

Students requesting dining accommodations must meet with Quinn Taylor, Registered Dietitian, before a decision can be made regarding the requested accommodation.  This step is required for students requesting dining accommodations. 

Disability housing/dining accommodation requests must be renewed every academic year. Returning students who are requesting the same housing/dining accommodation(s) that were previously approved by AR should submit a Housing/Dining Accommodation Application annually. Students do not need to submit medical documentation or participate in additional consultations with Dining Services unless contacted directly by AR.

Requests for disability housing/dining accommodations are reviewed by Accessibility Resources and Residence Life staff. Additionally, Accessibility Resources may consult with other appropriate officials as needed, including representatives from Counseling Services, Student Health Center, Physical Plant, Dining Services, Registrar’s Office, Higgins Academic Center, Dean’s Office, and outside legal and medical consultants. Additionally, College officials may need to speak to off-campus diagnostician as needed.

Requests to be housed with or near friends or in a specific location on campus should be submitted to Residence Life. Decisions made by Accessibility Resources are only for the student making the disability-related request and are determined on a case-by-case basis. Please note that if a housing accommodation is approved, the student is still required to complete the regular housing selection process.

Refer to the Appeal Process for detailed information on this process. 

Any RMC student with a documented disability.

Though you are not required to register with Accessibility Resources, we encourage all students with disabilities to self-disclose their disability status to AR. Registering with us does not oblige you to use services, nor will your information be shared anywhere else on campus.

Registration begins by submitting an accommodation application and relevant documentation.

Please don’t hesitate to reach out to Accessibility Resources! We do our best to work with students based on the documentation they have and always consider personal experiences in the accommodation process. While we can’t guarantee specific accommodations without meeting you, our goal is to make RMC accessible to all—and lack of ideal documentation shouldn’t be a barrier to requesting reasonable accommodations.

Accessibility Resources staff will review the student’s accommodation application and documentation to identify any functional limitations resulting from the disability. Based on this review, staff will determine whether the requested accommodations are logical, reasonable, and necessary to mitigate or remove barriers to access within the college context.

A student may appeal the decision of the Director of Accessibility Resources regarding his/her request for auxiliary aid or services, accommodation or disability determination. You can find more information about the appeal process under the ‘Academic Accommodations’ section of this page.

Accessibility Resources works with students to provide equitable access to RMC’s programs and services. Accommodations are services are provided on an individual, case-by-case basis. As such, there is no preset ‘list’ of accommodations that AR asks students to select from. Examples of frequently used accommodations include:

• Testing accommodations (e.g., extended time, reduced-distraction location, use of a computer)
• Assistive technology
• Removal of physical barriers
• Print material in alternative formats (Braille, e-text, enlarged print)

• Evaluator credentials—Name, title, and professional qualifications.
• Diagnostic statement—Clearly identifying the disability.
• Diagnostic methodology—Tests, assessments, or procedures used.
• Current functional limitations—How the disability impacts your academic performance.
• Expected progression or stability—Whether the condition is temporary, permanent, or changing.
• History of accommodations and treatments—Past accommodations, services, and/or medications.
• Recommendations—Suggested accommodations, assistive devices, or support services.

No. Accessibility Resources operates off bare minimum disclosure and information-sharing when it comes to disability status and details. Your accommodation letter will include:

• Your name
• Your approved accommodations

If you would like to share additional details with your instructors or other persons on campus, you are welcome to do so. However, this is not a requirement.

No, you are in control of who you disclose to, when you disclose, and what you share. We have recommendations related to what to do and when to do it, which is completely up to you. We are happy to meet with you if you are not sure and would like to discuss this further.

Confidentiality is very important to Accessibility Resources! We will not share anything about your medical information or accommodations with anyone without your written permission. We have two types of information releases—on campus and off campus. If this is something you are interested in signing, please contact Accessibility Resources.

Requesting housing accommodations begins with submitting a housing/dining accommodation application and relevant documentation. You can find more information about this under the ‘Housing and Dining Accommodations’ section of this page.

• Service Animal: A service animal is an animal (typically a dog) that’s trained to help a person with a disability by doing specific tasks—like guiding someone who is blind, alerting someone who is deaf, or helping during a medical emergency.
• ESA: Any animal that provides a therapeutic benefit to an individual with a disability.
• Pet: Any other companion animal that is not an ESA or Service Animal.

Yes! Every residential student needs to complete the housing application process with Residence Life each year they want to live on campus.

Our campus features many beautiful, historic buildings—including some of our older residence halls—which may not have elevators. However, several residence halls offer first-floor rooms that may be accessible without stairs. Visit Residence Life to explore housing options and learn more about accessibility features.

We encourage students to advocate for themselves. Families can support students by encouraging them to register with Accessibility Resources if accommodations are needed.

Please encourage them to contact the Accessibility Resources if they feel it is related to a disability. You could also encourage them to seek out subject tutoring or visit their professor’s office hours to discuss additional support.

The student should complete the accommodation application themselves. To ensure your student receives the appropriate accommodations, we want to hear directly from them about their strengths and challenges. A support person can help the student with the process, but the application should be in the student’s own words. Our office will communicate directly with the student during our initial meeting, so it is important for the student to complete the application on their own.

College is a time for students to grow more independent, especially in understanding and advocating for their needs. They know themselves best and should lead conversations about their disability. Parents/Families can help by encouraging their student to prepare questions or topics for their initial meetings but will not be included in this meeting. There will be a time at the end where families will be invited (with permission from the student) to share and ask any questions. We are happy to answer any questions you may have about this policy.

College is very different from high school, partly because students are legal adults. This means their personal and disability-related information is protected by privacy laws. Accessibility Resources cannot share any details about a student’s records or interactions without written permission.