How To Access Services If You Have a Disability

Disability Services, a component of the Office of Equal Opportunity and Diversity, works to ensure that reasonable and effective accommodations and support services are in place for those members of the University Community who have a documented disability. A disability may be psychological, physical, auditory, medical, cognitive/learning, or another chronic condition as defined by a qualified professional. To determine appropriate accommodations, enrolled students and employees of the University who self-disclose a disability must provide diagnostic evidence of the disability from a professional who is qualified by education and training to make such an evaluation.

Students and employees of the University who have self-disclosed a disability, registered with Disability Services and have provided the appropriate documentation, must meet with a Consumer Manager in order to receive accommodations and be referred for other services to which they may be entitled. Accommodations are made on a case by case basis and in keeping with the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Consumer Managers are available to meet with prospective students, parents, guidance counselors, faculty and staff.

Disability Services provides clinical case management services to students and employees with a documented psychological disability. Once registered with Disability Services, such persons will be directed to Room 123 C in Berkshire House to meet with the Coordinator of Services for Psychological Disabilities. Once deemed eligible to receive services, that person will be assigned a Case Manager who will work with him/her to develop reasonable accommodations. Additional services available from Case Managers may include: academic support; assistance in setting academic and personal goals; and referrals to mental health professionals and other campus resources.

Students who have a disability but do not anticipate a need for accommodations or services while at the University are also encouraged to register. Disability-related documentation is kept strictly confidential, and students can present documentation without requesting services or accommodations. Should an unanticipated need for services or accommodations arise, Disability Services can begin to assist the student without delay if their disability-related documentation is already on file.

Disability Services, located in 231 Whitmore Administration Building, is open year-round, Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Appointments can be made by calling the office (Phone 413/545-0892 V/TTY). Persons in need of ASL or Oral interpreters are advised to call to request these services far in advance of appointments or visits to the campus.