Our Services

Our Office of Disability Services & Accessibility is here to support you and ensure that you have meaningful access to all aspects of the university life.

The Director of Accessibility & Student Advocacy is available to have a preliminary discussion about any concerns that a student has with how their disability impacts their academic progress. Students will need to submit an intake form and provide documentation to begin their affiliation with the Office of Accessibility Services. Documentation is commonly needed to establish eligibility since most disabilities are not visible and the extent of needs will vary across the same disability.

After a student submits their intake form and/or documentation, they will be contacted by the Director of Accessibility & Student Advocacy to schedule a meeting to discuss accommodations through an interactive process. This meeting is to discuss needs and establish accommodations and service to remove barriers. The individualized process is essential since each student is unique.

Accommodations are meant to provide equal access to course learning materials and the programs and college experience. An accommodation would not be considered reasonable if:

  • It is a direct threat to the health or safety of others.
  • It is a substantial or fundamental change in an essential element of curriculum or there is a substantial alteration in the manner in which services are provided.

Examples of services offered may include but are not limited to:

  • Alternative testing arrangements as needed (e.g. extended time, use of a computer, distraction-free environment)
  • Closed Captions for all media files
  • CART/ASL Interpreters for synchronous lectures
  • Interpreting services
  • Referral to appropriate services
  • Assistive technology
  • Alternative assignment formats (e.g. recorded discussion boards, flexibility with due dates, division of larger assignments into smaller components, reduced emphasis on formatting, no penalty for spelling errors)
  • Ability to take breaks/turn off camera in synchronous meetings
  • Student Advocacy

In order to determine if a specific accommodation(s) is/are reasonable and appropriate, the following factors will be considered:

  • The disability and its impact as documented
  • Information obtained during the initial meeting with Student Disability Services
  • Student self-reported needs
  • Previous accommodations received
  • Accommodations being requested
  • Unique characteristics of course, clinical, lab, and/or employment or other setting
  • Any other documentation provided

Accommodation decisions typically are not made until an initial meeting has been conducted. Please schedule an appointment with us to discuss our services and your needs.