How to Register with DSS 

Students may register with DSS at any time. There is no deadline to register with DSS. However, we encourage students to reach out to DSS as early as possible to put accommodations and supports in place. If you are struggling academically and believe you might have a disability, please reach out to DSS. 

It is important to note that accommodations are not retroactive and cannot be utilized by  a student until the student has fully registered with DSS and have given their professor the letter of accommodation. 

In order to be approved for accommodations at CUA a student must go through the process of registering with DSS. The registration process is as follows: 

Step 1: Registration Form

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: Documentation

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 (including academic pursuits). Documentation must be on letterhead, signed, dated, and include the student’s name, diagnosis, and impact. Documentation should be recent so that DSS can better understand how your diagnosis currently impacts your academic and/or social engagement. Please see Documentation Guidelines below. 

Step 3: Registration Meeting

Student meets with DSS staff member after DSS has received and reviewed a Registration Form and supporting documentation. Please email, call, or stop by the office to schedule a time to meet. 

During this meeting, specific accommodations will be discussed and approved on a case-by-case basis. If additional documentation or information is required, DSS will inform the student of what else may be needed.

Documentation Guidelines

 

DSS takes a holistic approach in determining eligibility for accommodation and will review any information a student submits. The following are examples of the types of documentation DSS uses to make such determinations: 

Physical Disability, Chronic Health Impairment, or Sensory Impairment:

• A letter from a medical professional verifying a disability and explaining its impact on one or more life activities.  
• Medical records that include diagnosis and a signature from a clinician.  
• History of accommodations used in past educational, work or similar settings (e.g. IEP).*  

Learning Disability, ADHD, and Autism Spectrum Disorders:

• The results of a comprehensive neuropsychological or psychoeducational evaluation.
• Rating scales and objective measure of symptoms related to diagnosis.  
• History of accommodations used in past educational, work or similar settings (e.g. IEP).* 

Psychological / Mental Health Disability: 

• A letter from a mental health professional verifying a disability and explaining its impact on one or more life activities.  
• Treatment records that include diagnosis and a signature from a clinician.  
• History of accommodations used in past educational, work or similar settings (e.g. IEP).* 

Traumatic Brain Injuries, including Concussion:

• Medical records that include diagnosis and a signature from a clinician.  
• Information from medical professional detailing the short-term impact of the condition and how long it is likely to persist. 
• Special note for concussions – Should the condition persist longer than anticipated, additional and updated documentation may be requested. DSS reserves the right to request additional documentation in order to support specific accommodations.

*While historical documentation, such as an IEP or Section 504 plan, is helpful in establishing the background of diagnosis and previous supports, you may be asked to submit additional documentation related to current impact of disability on academic and other life activities.