Frequently Asked Questions for Students

Select from the following areas:

FAQ for prospective students
FAQ's for registered students

FAQ for prospective students

How do I register?

Students who wish to register with our office must submit appropriate documentation of their disability to our office for review. Please visit the Documentation page and/or stop by our office for appropriate forms to help you with this process. After your documentation has been approved, you will receive a letter inviting you to meet with one of our counselors.

After I register with your office, do I need to come back in for services?

After registering with our office, students who wish to maintain their accommodations will need to schedule a thirty minute check in at the beginning of each semester for which they want accommodations. These are the only mandatory appointments for maintaining accommodations. Students registered with our office may make appointments as needed throughout the semester in addition to the semester check-ins. Please visit the Registered Students page for more information.

If I register with the office of disability services, will it be on my transcript?

No. Files for our office are kept separate from academic records. For more information go to the Confidentiality page.

What kind of accommodations do you offer?

Accommodations are determined based on your specific disability, the documentation provided, your expressed needs and our determination of what would be most helpful and appropriate. The accommodation provided will be directly related to your documented disability. Please click on the Academic Accommodations link for more information.

I need some help related to my disability, but I don’t want everyone to know I have a disability, what should I do?

Many students have difficulty asking for help, especially when they fear this will somehow label them or draw unwanted attention. Due to our volunteer note taker program, just as many non-disabled students come to our office as disabled students. While your professors will know that you have a disability, they will not know what it is. We take every measure to ensure your privacy. It is important that you get the help you need. If you have more questions related to this, contact one of our counselors and/or visit the Confidentiality page.

I have a disability, but am thinking about trying to make it without services in college. Is this a good idea?

We hear this a lot. Unfortunately it is usually communicated by students who have waited to register with us, and have “dug a hole” in terms of their grades, making it very difficult to obtain their academic goals. If we gathered these students and asked them to answer this question, they would tell you they wished they had registered with us early on. It is healthy to want independence and try new things, especially in college. There are many ways to accomplish this, without sacrificing the help you need.

What do I do if I need special housing?

You will need to indicate any special housing requests on your housing application. It is also important that you submit documentation supporting your request to our office. Housing is granted on a first come-first served bases, regardless of disability. Contact housing as early as possible to increase your chances of securing appropriate housing. For more information related to housing, please click on the Housing Link and/or contact housing at 704-687-2585.

How do I withdraw from a class due to my disability?

Withdrawal from classes is done through a “special request” process that involves a written request on a form supplied by the Registrar’s office. You will need to complete this form and obtain necessary signatures. Our office is not a part of this process. If you are registered with our office, we can assist you with this form and verify that you have a disability as needed. If you are not registered, you are not covered by our office. You can pursue registering with our office at any time during your college career, but our office and the law does not protect you retroactively.

What do I do if I have a temporary disability such as a broken arm or leg?

If your temporary disability significantly impacts your ability to be successful academically, you may choose to register with our office. You will need to provide documentation to our office to accomplish this. Accommodations provided will be time specific and directly linked to the impact of your disability. For more information, go to the Temporary Disability page

How do I find out who my “assigned counselor” is in the office of disability services?

Students who register with our office are welcome to meet with any counselor they choose. This allows the student to access appointments that fit into their schedule and does not tie them down to one counselor. For more information related to meeting with a counselor, click on our Individual Counseling and Consultation link.

Can I go to my DS counselor for academic advising?

Academic advising is provided by academic advisors who are trained to provide this service, or by faculty. You will need to find out who your advisor is and make an appointment with that individual. Our counselors do not provide academic advising.

I need a tutor/assistant for a class. Does your office provide this?

Tutors can be arranged through the office of tutorial services or through your department. While our office does not provide tutors, we can write a referral for students who are registered with our office. Please check out our Resources page to link to the tutorial services.

I have an IEP (Individualized Education Plan) from high school. Will this be enough documentation to register me with your office?

The Individualized Education Plan (IEP) is not sufficient documentation to register with our office. We will need medical and/or psychological documentation/testing completed by a doctor or psychologist. The law that pertaining to accommodations changes when you turn 18 to the Americans with Disabilities Act. An IEP is not used in college. Please link to our Differences between High School and University Disability Services page for more information.

Why does your office need documentation?

Our office is responsible both to students with disabilities and to the law. We must establish that a student has a disability according to the law, and documentation is the way we do this. Please link to our Legal page for more information.

When I am registering with your office, should I bring a parent with me?

Most students who register with our office do so on their own. Under the Americans with Disabilities act, you are an adult, and are strongly encouraged to advocate for yourself. We cannot communicate with parents about you due to confidentiality. Please click on our Confidentiality link for more information.

How can I get copies of my documentation?

Once you have submitted documentation to our office, we cannot release that information to anyone, including you. We strongly recommend you make a copy of your documentation prior to submitting it to our office, in case you need it in the future. You need to be familiar with what your documentation says so you can effectively communicate your needs.

I have depression/anxiety, are there any services for me?

Our office serves many students with anxiety and/or depression. In fact students with psychological disabilities comprise our fastest growing population of students with disabilities. While we do not provide personal counseling, we can assist you in areas where your disability impacts your academics. Documentation by a psychiatrist or psychologist is needed to determine if you qualify for services. Even if you don’t register for services, we encourage you to obtain support through the campus counseling center and/or an outside agency. Check out our Resources page to find a link to the Counseling Center.

In high school I had someone help me organize my homework/projects. Does your office do this?

Under the Americans with Disabilities act our office is not required to provide access to homework. We also do not provide supports of a personal nature such as academic coaching. This is considered the students responsibility to manage. There are other support services on campus such as the Center for Academic Excellence that can help you with college survival skills. Please click on our Differences Between High School and College and our Resources pages for more information.

English is my second language and I am having difficulty with my courses. Do I qualify for accommodations such as note taking and extended time for testing?

While it can be difficult to be immersed in courses that are taught in a language that is not your primary language, it is not considered to be a disability. The definition of a disability is a physical or mental condition that impacts a major life activity. Therefore being an ESL student alone, does not qualify one for accommodations.

It is important to note that any student can seek the support of the Office of Disability Services as a result of a documented learning, physical, medical, or psychological disability.

I am pregnant. Will the Office of Disability Services provide me with accommodations?

Pregnancy alone is not considered to be a disability and therefore is not accommodated by the Office of Disability Services. The exception to this is when an extenuating condition either develops or exists during pregnancy. Documentation from your treating physician will be required if accommodations for a disabling condition are needed. If eligible, then appropriate accommodations will be explored with a counselor.

I am taking a continuing education course. What should I do if I need accommodations for my disability?

When registering for a continuing education course, indicate your accommodation request on the registration form. In addition, you must contact the Registration Center with the Continuing Education Office AND Kristin Kolin with the Office of Disability Services with your specific accommodation needs. Please note that at least 2 weeks notice is needed to ensure adequate time for accommodations.

What is a Personal Care Attendant? Is this a service offered by the Office of Disability Services?

A personal care attendant is utilized by some students to assist with daily living skills such as personal hygiene, grooming, medication monitoring, food preparation, along with some physical tasks. Personal care attendants are not provided by the university. It is a student's responsibly to assess their abilities and to make all necessary arrangements for acquiring and maintaining services from a personal care attendant. Please visit the Personal Care Attendant page for more information.

I am left handed. Does the Office of Disability Services offer any accommodations?

While living as a “lefty” in a right handed world can be trying at times, it is not considered to be a disability. Therefore there are no accommodations offered for individuals who are left handed. There are many resources for those who are left handed ranging from specific note books, pens, etc. which students can purchase on line or from specialty stores. You may also want to get to class early as most rooms do have a desk for left handed writers or at least a table. However, please be mindful that individuals with disability related furniture needs always take priority in regards to accessible tables.

FAQ for Registered Students

Do I need to register with your office more than once?

Registration occurs after your documentation is approved and you initially meet with a counselor to determine appropriate accommodations. This only occurs once, and from that point forward, you are “registered” with our office. After registering with our office, students who wish to maintain their accommodations will need to schedule a thirty minute check in at the beginning of each semester for which they want accommodations. These are the only mandatory appointments for maintaining accommodations. Student registered with our office may make appointments as needed throughout the semester in addition to the semester check-ins. Click on our Individual Consultation and Counseling link for more information.

How do I withdraw from a class due to my disability?

Do I have to take my test/exams in the office of disability services?

The short answer is no. Alternative testing is a common accommodation, as many disabilities impact testing. We do provide testing in our office for some students with disabilities. Due to limited space, we prioritize testing in our office for students who need special equipment or technology/software to take their test, followed by students who need to be ensured a low distraction test environment. Students who will be testing in our office will be given a special testing form, in addition to their letter of accommodation. Many students need extended time and a low distraction environment, or just extended time. For these students, we encourage you to arrange alternative testing with your professors. It is the professor’s responsibility to provide testing accommodations for students who are not testing in our office. If your professor has questions about this, please refer them to our office. Please click on the Testing link under Academic Accommodations.

My friend has a note-taker through disability services, why can’t I have one?

Appropriate accommodations are determined based on many factors including documentation, student interview, and the professional judgment of a disability services counselor. Counselors work under the Americans with Disabilities Act, as well as the integrity of the university, and will grant accommodations as appropriate to your specific disability and circumstance. Therefore, it is possible that two students with the same disability have different accommodations. If you have questions about your accommodations, please make an appointment with a counselor.

I am eligible for a note-taker and still don’t have one. What should I do?

There are several student responsibilities in securing a note-taker. First, you must ask the professor to make an announcement and provide them with the appropriate form. Then, it is crucial that you wait and watch to see if someone volunteers. If no one volunteers ask the professor to make an announcement a few more times until someone volunteers. If you have followed all these steps and still do not have a note-taker, please contact our office. Please click on our Note-Taking Services and our Student Responsibilities links to find out more information related to this process.

How do I find out who my “assigned counselor” is in the office of disability services?

Students who register with our office are welcome to meet with any counselor they choose. This allows the student to access appointments that fit into their schedule and does not tie them down to one counselor. Please click on our Individual Counseling and Consultation link for more information.

Can I go to my DS counselor for academic advising?

Academic advising is provided by academic advisors. You will need to find out who your advisor is and make an appointment with that individual. Our counselors are not equipped to provide academic advising.

I need a tutor/assistant for a class. Does your office provide this?

Tutors can be arranged through the office of tutorial services or through your department. While our office does not provide tutors, we can write a referral for students who are registered with our office. Please go to our Resources page for a link to tutorial services.

How can I get copies of my documentation?

I have difficulty accessing some of the books in the library due to my disability, is there support available?

YES. Students experiencing difficulty with accessing shelved books or resources can request assistance from a librarian. Students can visit the online library catalog and once the book information is found, it can be printed and given to a librarian for further assistance.