Marcia RidpathMAR Educational Consulting

July, 2015

For academic eligibility purposes, the NCAA defines a disability as a current impairment that has a substantial educational impact on a student’s academic performance and requires accommodation. (EID)

“… the documentation provides a current (and relevant) picture of how the disability impacts the student and how the student is functioning now.”

(Jane Jarrow, Disability Expert)

My role with the NCAA:Educate/train staffIncorporate AHEAD guidanceRecommend policy changesConnect with key stakeholders

Assumptions about students with disabilitiesStudents fear discriminationHesitation to discloseMisinformation about process

How many of you have athletes on your caseload?

What kind of connection do you have with the athletics department?

How can Disability Services providers help in the waiver process?

“I have not contacted the disability services office because Bipolar Disorder is a disease, not a disability. The medical ‘manic’ episode that occurred did impair my ability as a student…”

“…and is the leading contributor to why my GPA is below the required minimum. However, Bipolar Disorder does not affect my ability to perform in the classroom.”

“When I first got to college the classes were not that hard. The help I got helped but didn’t need much help…when the teacher moves to the other stuff I had already struggled with the stuff we were already doing….”

“….I have always been scared and thinking about what people would say about me needing someone to help me…so if no one asked for help, I didn’t either.”