Office for Students with Disabilities
Basic principles regarding the provision of reasonable accommodation
When a student or applicant with a disability expresses a need to remove social barriers, and the university does not impose an excessive burden on the student, the university will endeavor to make necessary and reasonable consideration to remove social barriers according to the individual circumstances so as not to infringe on the rights and interests of the person with a disability.
Target Audience
Students with disabilities enrolled at our university (undergraduate students, graduate students, special course students, non-degree students, research students)
How to apply
As a general rule, requests must come from the student with a disability themselves, and are accepted by Office for Students with Disabilities.
Please prepare the following documents when applying:
①Application for reasonable accommodation
② Documents that show the details and extent of the disability (e.g. copies of disability certificate, medical certificate, psychological test results, etc.)
Download the application form here (Japanese version, PDF)
Download the application form here (Japanese version, Word)
Example of application form (PDF)
Doctor's opinion
If you have been instructed that your doctor's opinion is required for any special considerations, please submit the following doctor's opinion letter.
(Please be sure to consult with Office for Students with Disabilities before asking your doctor.)
Doctor's opinion (Word)
Office for Students with Disabilities "User's Guide"
Basic idea of providing reasonable accommodation
Reasonable accommodations are modifications or adjustments to the tasks, environment or to the way things are usually done that enable individuals with disabilities to have an equal opportunity to participate in an academic program.
Accommodations are reasonable unless they:
• Alter or remove essential requirements.
• Fundamentally alter the nature of the program.
• Impose undue financial or administrative burden.
• Pose a threat to others.
Who is eligible to receive reasonable accommodation?
Student with disability who are in undergraduate, graduate, “Bekka” (learning Japanese), undergraduate non-degree program, and research program.
How to apply
Students with disabilities should submit an Application for Reasonable Accommodation” to the Center for Disability Services.
Please submit the application form and the proof document (a copy of disability certificate, doctor’s certificate, etc.)
Please download Reasonable Accommodation Application form here (PDF)
Please download Reasonable Accommodation Application form here (Word)
Medical certificate
If your doctor's judgment is indicated as being necessary for consideration, please submit the following Medical certificate.
(Be sure to consult with the Center for Disability Services before requesting the doctor's opinion.)
The doctor will fill in the form in Japanese, so the contents are written in Japanese.
Medical certificate(Word)
Flow to start reasonable accommodation
- Apply for a reasonable accommodation with a proof document to the Center for Disability Services
- Make an appointment with a support staff (clinical psychologist or social worker)
- Develop a reasonable accommodation plan
- Have a committee meeting with faculty, staff and the Center staff
- Communicate to the student via email for confirmation
- The student email back for confirmation or request(s) to reach consensus
- The Center communicates to the student via PLAS for final confirmation
- The student prints the support plan and communicates to faculty/instructors either face-to-face or email
- Reasonable accommodations start
For more information
Please click on the image below to view.
Soka University has established a Student Life Improvement Committee and has been promoting barrier-free access on campus.
Regarding building facilities, handrails, ramps, multi-purpose toilets, and elevators have been installed, and automatic doors have been installed at the entrances of each building for students in wheelchairs, and low counters have been installed at the windows used by students. In addition, we have secured parking spaces for disabled people and made student dormitories barrier-free, making it possible for students with disabilities to enjoy student life.
In terms of the learning environment, seminar rooms and classrooms are equipped with desks and equipment suitable for people with disabilities.
In order to support students with disabilities in their studies, our university has established guidelines to support students with disabilities and provides support.
The Guidelines for Supporting Students with Disabilities set out the purpose, support policy, consultation desk, support system, and the process for providing reasonable accommodation.
We have also established and published a policy for accepting students with disabilities.