Palmer College of Chiropractic

Current Students

The Office of Student Learning and Development

Palmer College values the diverse talents and abilities students bring to chiropractic education. The Office of Student Learning and Development (OSLD) promotes diversity by striving to provide greater access to qualified students with disabilities. Recognizing that the chiropractic profession will benefit from the skills and talents of persons with differing abilities, and in compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the OSLD coordinates services for students with documented disabilities. Disabilities covered by 504 and ADA include:

• learning disabilities
• medical disabilities
• psychiatric disabilities

Students with documented disabilities, questions or concerns about eligibility or services should contact Dr. Lori Newman at (563) 884-5408 or stop at Counseling Services in West Hall Suite 128, Room B. E-mail inquiries should be addressed to newman_l@palmer.edu. The Handbook for Students and Applicants with Disabilities and Guidelines for Documentation of Disabilities provides information on college policies, practices and procedures in compliance with Section 504 and the ADA.

Upon review of the documentation and recommendations, Dr. Newman works with the student to design a program of academic and/or testing accommodations. If the documentation is incomplete, the evaluating professional may be consulted for further information with the student's written consent. The goal of services for students with disabilities is to provide students with an equal opportunity to participate in the educational experience and to demonstrate what they know. All documentation and information is confidential, except for college officials who have a compelling educational need to know. Student files in the OSLD are not part of students’ academic files, and the information is kept in the OSLD. The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is strictly observed.

Accommodations that may be available to students with supporting documentation includes:

• a quiet, minimum-distraction environment for exams
• time and a half or double time on exams
• a reader and scribe for exams
• a private testing room
• assistive listening devices
• sign language interpreters
• a text enlarger
• note-takers
• large monitors (19” and 21”) in classrooms and computer labs
• modification of college policies, practices and procedures as needed under extenuating circumstances

Students with documented disabilities may request test accommodations from the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners for all four parts of National Board Exams. Applications and information are available from Dr. Lori Newman, Counseling Services,  West Hall Room 128; Mary Pitcher, Institutional Planning and Research Licensure Information coordinator, North Hall, or at their website  www.nbce.org.

If students are experiencing academic difficulties, they are encouraged to consult with Dr. Newman to discuss the possibility of a previously unidentified disability and referral options. Various approaches to academic success are also explored.

Particularly important for first trimester students and their partners, spouses and children is recognizing that transitioning into Palmer is not always a smooth process. The OSLD is here to help students adapt to the unique structure and demands of the chiropractic curriculum and other life stressors. Special services are also available for international students. If you have any questions or concerns about your Palmer experience, you are encouraged to discuss them in the student-friendly and confidential environment of the OSLD. Various resources on and off-campus can be discussed. Most community-based referrals provide services on a sliding fee scale for students without insurance.

Disclaimer
"The Palmer Chiropractic page contains links to third-part Web sites. These links are provided solely as a convenience to you Palmer Chiropractic is not responsible for the content of linked third-party sites and does not make any representations regarding either the content or accuracy of materials on such third-party Web sites.  If you decide to access linked third-party Web sites, you do so at your own risk. You use of the third-party Web sites is subject to the Terms and Conditions of use for those sites."

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• Office of Student Learning and Development
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