Following acceptance for admission to Midwestern State University, the process of obtaining services and accommodations through Disability Support Services begins with submitting an application and documentation of a disability.
Providing evidence of a documented disability is the responsibility of the student seeking assistance. Documentation guidelines for specific disabilities are provided by Disability Support Services and should be reviewed by the student prior to obtaining documentation from a licensed or certified professional. Prior review will help to ensure that the documentation contains the required information and will expedite the application process.
The documentation will be assessed and appropriate services and accommodations best suited to each individual student will be recommended. Should DSS require additional documentation, the application process is completed as quickly as possible after the student has provided the additional information.
The student requesting accommodations meets with the Director of Disability Support Services to discuss accommodation recommendations. At this meeting, mutual decisions are made concerning appropriate accommodations and the student signs a confidential information release and other forms necessary to complete application for services.
Upon the student’s request, accommodation letters will be available in the DSS office. The student is expected to personally visit each professor to discuss specific needs relevant to each class.
Unless new accommodations are requested, the student usually does not need to resubmit documentation after registering with DSS.
Benefits available to students who apply with Disability Support Services may include the following:
- Referral to counseling, psychology and health clinics and other appropriate on-campus resources;
- Classroom accommodations such as extended test time, preferential seating, an alternate test time, or an alternate test site, as supported by documentation;
- Provision of services such as interpreters, note-taking assistance, readers, and scribes;
- Accommodations for participation in university-sponsored activities;
- Registration assistance for persons with mobility, hearing or visual impairments;
- Notification of on-campus construction projects and alternate accessible routes.
- Books and materials in alternative format
- Loan of adaptive equipment (such as calculators, recorders, etc.)
In keeping with the spirit of the ADA, the provision of accommodations is intended to be an interactive and collaborative process.