| Creation date: 18 September 2018 | Last revision date: 09 September 2024 |
1. Preamble and Guiding Philosophy
EUL is profoundly dedicated to cultivating an educational environment that is truly inclusive, equitable, and accessible for all its members. EUL firmly believes that a disability should never constitute an insurmountable barrier to academic pursuit, personal growth, or full participation in university life. The establishment of the Inclusive Educational Support Fund (IESF) is a tangible manifestation of this commitment. The IESF is designed not as a charity, but as an essential mechanism to empower students with disabilities by addressing, the unique financial challenges that can arise from their specific needs, thereby enabling them to thrive academically and personally without undue burden. EUL aims to foster independence, remove systemic obstacles, and ensure that every student has the necessary resources to reach their fullest potential.
2. Purpose
The primary purpose of this policy is to:
- Outline the framework for financial assistance available to students with documented disabilities;
- Define eligible expenses that directly relate to mitigating disability-specific barriers within an educational context;
- Establish clear, transparent, and equitable procedures for application, assessment, and disbursement of funds;
- Ensure consistency and fairness in the allocation of resources, prioritizing individual needs and academic success.
3. Scope
This policy applies to current EUL students who have a documented disability, provided that their condition is officially verified and they demonstrate financial need directly related to their disability-specific educational requirements.
4. Definitions
- Student with Disability: An individual enrolled at EUL who has a physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairment which, in interaction with various barriers, may hinder their full and effective participation in the educational environment on an equal basis with others. This must be formally documented and verified by the Dean of Students.
- Inclusive Educational Support Fund (IESF): The designated financial pool established to provide targeted assistance to eligible students with disabilities.
- Reasonable Accommodation: Modifications or adjustments to the learning environment or educational processes that enable a student with a disability to have equal opportunity to participate in and benefit from the institution’s programs and activities. IESF funding often supports the provision of these accommodations.
- Dean of Students: The designated department responsible for assessing disability documentation, determining reasonable accommodations, and providing support services to students with disabilities.
5. Eligibility Criteria
To be considered for IESF funding, a student must meet all of the following criteria:
- Be a currently enrolled student in good academic standing at EUL.
- Have a documented disability on file with and formally recognized by the Dean of Students. This documentation must be current and sufficiently detailed to inform the requested support.
- Demonstrate a clear and direct financial need for support that is specifically attributable to their disability and its impact on their educational journey.
- The requested support must be directly linked to facilitating their academic success and access to educational opportunities, and not covered by other primary funding sources.
6. Eligible Expenses
The IESF is designed to cover specific, disability-related expenses that are essential for a student’s equal participation and academic success. Examples of eligible expenses, subject to individual assessment and justification, include but are not limited to:
- Assistive Technology & Software: Specialized hardware, software, or adaptive devices (e.g., screen readers, voice recognition software, ergonomic equipment).
- Specialized Educational Materials: Costs associated with converting materials into accessible formats (e.g. large print, audiobooks) or purchasing specialized textbooks/resources.
- Diagnostic Assessments (Limited): In cases where updated diagnostic assessments are required to determine current accommodation needs and are not covered by other means, a portion of these costs may be considered.
7. Application Process
- Consultation: Students must first consult with the Dean of Students to discuss their needs and confirm their eligibility for IESF consideration.
- Application Form: Complete the official IESF application form.
- Documentation: Submit comprehensive documentation, including:
- Current disability verification.
- A detailed personal statement outlining the specific needs, how the requested funds will address these needs, and their direct impact on academic success.
- Detailed cost estimates, invoices, or quotes for the requested items/services.
- Proof of financial need (e.g., financial aid statements, income verification).
- Submission: All applications and supporting documents must be submitted to the Dean of Students.
8. Assessment and Decision-Making
- Review Committee: Applications will be reviewed by Dean of Students and Financial Affairs Office, and potentially a faculty member with expertise in disability inclusion.
- Holistic Assessment: The Committee will conduct a holistic review, considering:
- The direct link between the requested support and the student’s disability and academic needs.
- The necessity and reasonableness of the requested expense.
- The availability of alternative funding sources.
- The overall financial need of the student.
- Individualized Approach: Each application will be assessed on its individual merits, recognizing the unique and diverse nature of disabilities and their impact.