Students may register with DSS at any time. The Office of Disability Support Services (DSS) strongly encourages students to reach out to DSS as early as possible to put accommodations and supports in place.
It is important to note that accommodations are not retroactive and cannot be utilized by the student until the student has fully registered with DSS and have given his or her professor the current letter of accommodation.
Before students utilize accommodations, they must go through the following steps:
Step 1: Student personally completes a DSS Student Registration Form. This is intended to gather basic demographic information, details of their diagnosis, the impact of their disability, educational history, and desired accommodations.
Step 2: Student submits appropriate documentation from a qualified professional who can verify their diagnosis and provide sufficient details on its impact to one or more major life activities. Documentation must be on letterhead, signed, dated, and include diagnosis and impact of the disgnosi(e)s.
Step 3: Student and DSS staff member meet individually to craft a unique letter of accommodation. All accommodation requests must be supported by documentation and need. DSS will evaluate all submitted documentation and communicate with the student if more documentation is needed for a specific request.
Step 4: Student provides letter of accommodation to each faculty member.
Step 5: Students must request a letter of accommodation each semester they wish to receive accommodations.