UAE Vision 2021 and Dubai Inclusive Education Policy Framework defines inclusive education as

… student engagement and participation in an education program within a common learning environment with the benefit of targeted support which enables the reduction and removal of barriers that may lead to exclusion.

The American University in Dubai is committed to providing reasonable accommodations and equal access to university programs and activities for students with documented disabilities/special needs.

A reasonable accommodation is one that is consistent with academic standards of the university and does not require substantial course or program alteration. The Health Center welcomes and encourages students with disabilities to identify themselves and to seek access to needed accommodations.

The American University in Dubai adapts student-learning experiences based on their special medical condition.

The American University in Dubai aims to guarantee an integrated and inclusive learning experience for students of determination.

People of Determination, POD: include people with mental, educational and psychological disabilities, that limit (one or more) major life activities, and includes medical issues that require special and immediate intervention

Inclusivity: is an essential factor of development

AUD is offering reasonable adaptations, consistent with the academic standards of the university and does not require substantial course or program changes.

AUD staff and faculty helps students with additional needs to benefit from detailed planning procedures. The university also implements and promotes positive behavioral support within the learning environment, with support and assistance being sought from the whole community including faculty, staff and peers.

AUD HEALTH CENTER
The Health Center welcomes and encourages students with special needs to speak to Director of the AUD Health Centre, to seek the needed support within an entirely confidential setting. It is within the Health Center staff and the Personal Counselor's responsibilities to ensure that students of determination receive the adequate teaching and learning support throughout their years of study at AUD.

The Health Center Director, HCD, assist people of determination, with physical-health issues; she evaluates student’s needs, complete level of support required, and finalize the Special Accommodations Request Form, SARF, in order to communicate to faculty.

In order to ensure that accommodations are provided in a timely fashion, the HCD strongly request students of determination to submit their accommodation’s requirements, based on health specialist’s assessment, well in advance of the start of any coursework.

The HCD maintains database of People of Determination, with details including student's accommodation and adaptation requirements. Every semester, the student’s file is reviewed and updated, based on student follow-ups and interactions, throughout their academic journey.

The Health Center works in coordination with Personal Counselor, PC, when dealing with mental health, and with the Academic advisors, should specific academic support or advising be deemed necessary for the student’s academic success.

The Health Center works closely with a team of qualified professionals, AUD staff and professors to personalize and implement the optimal learning environment and inclusive student experience for each individual case.

PERSONAL COUNSELOR
The Personal Counselor assist people of determination, with mental-health issues, and/or learning disorders; She evaluates student’s needs, completes level of support required, and in association with the Health Center Director, finalize the Special Accommodations Request Form, SARF, in order to communicate to faculty.

People of Determination requiring Special and Immediate Intervention need to:

1. Register with the Health Center before classes start.
2. Meet with HCD, in the Health Center for intake interview.
3. Meet with HCD, or the PC, to evaluate level of support needed, and the special accommodations requested, all based on a medical report (Physical or Mental) endorsed by the health specialists. When a mental health condition is present, the PC will collaborate with the HCD, accordingly.
4. In case of serious medical condition, before registration, HCD, and PC, should
   communicate with the Dean of Students Affairs Academic Advisor to evaluate and decide on class’s registration.
   
   What to bring:
   • Submit to the Health Center, all requested medical and assessment’s documents with an official medical report, or health specialist’s assessment, recommendations, and any physical or psychological tests endorsed by Specialists.
   • For student with psychological issues, additional copy of any mental health reports is shared with the Personal Counselor, and will be remain confidential.
   • List of questions related to Student of Determination support services
   • Be prepared to talk about your disability and how it affects your learning and your ability to participate in AUD Programs
5. Upon completion of the intake and assessment with the student, SARF will be completed by the HCD, and/or PC, as needed.
6. The student will sign the SARF to ensure that he/she understands the services being provided and the notification process as it relates to the academic units. This includes providing students with guidelines regarding the confidential nature of their file(s).
7. A copy of SARF will be provided to the students’ instructors, and additional copies will remain in the Health Center, with the Personal Counselor for mental health.
8. After receiving SARF, the instructor should meet with the student privately to discuss applying these accommodations. The instructor can discuss any concerns about applying these accommodations with the Health Center Director, or the Personal Counselor.
9. The instructor should not disclose information about the student or the student’s disability and should not discriminate against the student by identifying the student as having a disability.
10. If a student has been diagnosed with a condition after admission to AUD, the student may request assistance at a period not less than 2 weeks before midterms or final exams, and will be required to follow the procedures as outlined above. Application of SARF is not retroactive.
11. Student with SN should sign the Waiver SARF, shall he/she refuse to benefit from special accommodations support before the start of any coursework, or if he/she choose to stop the application of SARF. The mentioned procedure will take place in the presence of the Health Center Director, or the Personal Counselor.
12. In cases where students have missed classes, a midterm, or an exam, the student must provide a doctor’s note, which will be verified by the appropriate health services professional, which would be the HCD or PC; mentioned health professionals will notify the instructor about the situation. In cases where student’s condition is affecting his/ her academic performance, to contact academic advisor, and discuss the case with Dean of Students affairs, if needed.
13. Database of SOD list, and physical and/or mental health documents are well maintained in the Health Center. Personal Counselor can have access to students with mental health issues files.
14. For academic difficulties, Students of Determination will follow up with the academic advisor.

Health information is confidential.

All students’ medical records are locked in filing system, in the Health Center, and in the Personal Counselor’s office, for students with mental health issues.

SARF remains confidential. Disclosure by Health Center Director, and/or Personal Counselor, is on an as-needed basis (only for implementing accommodations.) Any release for other purposes requires the explicit consent of the student.

The instructor should not disclose information about the student or the student’s disability and should not discriminate against the student by identifying the student as having a disability.

All communications between Health Center staff, and/or PC, and patient is confidential, however Health Center Director, and Personal Counselor, obliged to break confidentiality if three situations occur: If at risk of self-harm, at risk of harming someone else, or court order to release information.

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