Student Support: Office of Accessible Education

Golden Gate University is committed to achieving equal educational opportunity and full participation for persons with disabilities. It is Golden Gate University's policy that enrolled students who have disabilities shall be given reasonable accommodations in compliance with state and federal laws.

The Office of Accessible Education coordinates accommodations for students with all types of disabilities, including temporary injuries or conditions. 

OFFICE OF ACCESSIBLE EDUCATION

Accommodations for students with disabilities, such as modifications, auxiliary aids, or services, are considered on a case-by-case basis. Some examples are: electronic texts, course notes, recording devices, reader and transcription services, exam accommodations, interpreters, and real-time captioners.

Students seeking disability accommodations should begin the verification process as early as possible. See New Requests for Accommodations below.

ACCOMMODATIONS on the MPRE & BAR exam

If you would like to request accommodations for the Multistate Professional Responsibility Exam (MPRE) or the Bar Exam, you should consult with Disability Services about the application process early in your legal education.

Students are encouraged to apply well in advance of the deadline in order to allow sufficient time for any necessary appeal.

General information can be found at these links:

NEW REQUESTS FOR ACCOMMODATIONS

All disability accommodations must be supported by documentation of the student's current condition and needs. Students with a disability who have not previously gone through the verification process should contact the office as soon as possible, ideally several weeks in advance of the start of the semester. Accommodations are determined on a case-by-case basis. Please do not approach professors about obtaining accommodations until approved through the Office of Accessible Education.

VERIFICATION PROCESS

  • Step 1: Contact the Office of Accessible Education to set up an appointment to discuss eligibility for services and possible accommodations. You will also be asked to review and sign our confidentiality policy.
  • Step 2: Submit the appropriate documentation, based on the type of disability, as described below. You are responsible for any costs associated with obtaining the required documentation from a qualified provider.
    • Physical Disability: Your physician will need to complete the Disability Verification Form detailing your present impairment and recommending accommodations for the academic environment.
    • Psychological Disability: Your psychologist/psychiatrist/therapist will need to complete the Disability Verification Form detailing your present impairment and recommending accommodations for the academic environment.
    • Learning Disability or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): You will need to submit a Psychoeducational Evaluation Report completed within the past three years by a qualified professional. The evaluation must include a comprehensive interview and assessment (testing) of areas that impact learning and academic performance. The report must recommend accommodations for the academic environment. We can provide a list of evaluators used by students in recent years.
  • Step 3: Disability Services will review all of the documentation to ensure that the requested accommodations are reasonable and appropriate given your present impairment and functional limitations in the academic setting. This process may include review by an outside consultant.
VOLUNTEER TO BE A NOTETAKER

The Office of Accessible Education is looking for volunteers to be notetakers for their classmates who have a disability that affects their ability to take their own course notes. If you take detailed, well-organized notes, this is a wonderful way to make a positive difference for a fellow student -- and receive a monetary stipend of $75 per course at the end of the semester. If you are interested in helping to provide this important service, please fill out the interest form below:

See below to access the note taker guidelines/contract and directions for submission:

FAQ

I am applying to GGU School of Law and I have a disability. Are there any special procedures?

You have no obligation to reveal your disability when applying to GGU, but if you would like to discuss disability services at any point in the process, you are welcome to contact Disability Services. Please see the above section titled New Requests for Accommodations for how to proceed once you have enrolled.

I am not sure whether I have a learning disability (or ADHD). Do you provide testing?

The Law School does not provide testing for learning disabilities or ADHD; however, Disability Services can explain the process and what the evaluation will need to address. The cost of the evaluation is the student's responsibility. Because it can take six weeks or more for an evaluation and report to be to be completed, students are encouraged to meet with Disability Services as early in the semester as possible.

Will information about my disability be kept confidential?

The Law School keeps information about disabilities and accommodations confidential, and Law Student Support strives to protect the privacy of each student receiving accommodations. However, students are welcome to self-disclose information about a disability when and if they feel comfortable doing so.

Do I have to re-request accommodations each semester?

Once the verification process for your accommodations has been completed, you must submit a new Request for Accommodations for each semester, including summer, by the posted deadline. Disability Services will email the link to the current form prior to the start of the semester.

For permanent or stable conditions, you will not have to provide new documentation each semester. Temporary impairments or changed needs may require new documentation.

Can I receive accommodations for an injury or temporary condition?

We are happy to work with you to put temporary accommodations in place. Please contact Disability Services as soon as possible to discuss documentation requirements and possible accommodations.

Is there accessible parking on campus?

There is no parking on campus, but there are accessible public parking areas nearby. With a current, valid disabled placard, you are able to park in the metered parking on the surrounding streets at no charge.

CONTACT US

To initiate the accommodation verification process, discuss any questions regarding disability services, or address issues implementing approved accommodations, please contact us through email, or set up an appointment using our Calendly links found below.

Director Melissa McNair
Melissa has an M.A. degree, major: Education Administration, and an M.S. degree, major: Rehabilitation Counseling with a specialty in Counseling the Deaf.  She is a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor and has had certifications in Diversity and Inclusion, Domestic Violence Counseling, and American Sign Language Interpreting.  Melissa has served as a Victim Witness Advocate in the San Francisco Office of the District Attorney and as a Sr. Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor in the Department of Rehabilitation. 

The Office of Accessible Education

Calendly Links