What does the Office of Disability Services do?
- Our office serves as the campus liaison for students who may experience barriers in their learning environment due to a disability. We value disability as an aspect of diversity and are committed to moving our campus towards an equitable and inclusive environment for all students.
What is the process of getting accommodations through the Office of Disability Services?
- Click on and complete our online application (note that the student will need their ATU Username and Password to submit the completed application). Documentation may be uploaded at the time of application, brought into the office, faxed, or emailed to disabilities@atu.edu. After the application is reviewed the student will receive an email from us letting them know the next steps in the process. An in-depth welcome meeting between the student and a DS staff member to discuss the nature of your disabilities, how it has impacted them in prior academic settings, and with regard to the student's activities and daily living will be conducted prior to accommodations being issued.
What level of documentation does the student need?
- We have documentation guidelines (/disabilities/documentation.php) on our website that provides insight on the documentation recommendations for supporting accommodation requests.
Can I test in the Testing Center without having accommodations?
- Our Testing Center is reserved for students who receive approved accommodations through the Office of Disability Services; however there are some cases, due to a university sanctioned event that instructors may make arrangements for students to test in our office. If a student suspects that they may have a qualifying disability, they are encouraged to get in contact with our office to discuss their options.
Are there any costs associated with registering for services through the office of disability services?
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No. These accommodations are protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Colleges and universities that receive federal funding are legally required to provide reasonable accommodations to ensure that individuals with disabilities have equal access to higher education. This includes accommodations that provides equal access to facilities on campus, as well as academic opportunities. These are not privileges鈥攖hey are legal rights designed to ensure that students with disabilities have the same opportunities for academic success as their peers.