ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø

Requests

In addition to academic accommodations, the Center for Disability Services (CDS) oversees several other categories of accommodations and services for students. 

Requests

You can learn more about each of those and also submit a request for your Professor Notification Letter (PNL) here.
  • Request for Professor Notification Letters (academic accommodation letters)

    Request a Professor Notification Letter (PNL) (academic acommodation letter) for your instructor(s) to use your accommodations

    Important update:  You will now be able to request your accommodations to apply to specific classes. As a result, you will need to request a new letter each semester.


    Once you have been formally approved for accommodations by a member of the CDSteam, you may request a copy of your Professor Notification Letter (PNL). In this request, you will be able to select which accommodations you would like to apply to each of your classes. We will then email a copy of your letter directly to your official ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø e-mail. It will then be your responsibility to provide your instructor with the PNL as soon as possible (ideally the first week of the semester). We also encourage you to make an appointment to discuss your accommodations with your instructors to work out any important details and arrangements. Please keep in mind, accommodations are not retroactive and will go into effect only after sharing your letter with your instructors.

  • Alternative Testing Site (ATS) appointments

    If you have a testing accommodation, request a testing appointment through the Alternative Testing Site (ATS).







  • Alternative Format Materials Request Form

    Many students who register with CDS are approved for print materials in an alternative format in order to assist them with accessing their course work at ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø. These items may include textbooks, articles, and other various items that need to be formatted so that students may use screen readers, text to speech software, and/or magnification software in order to access their course materials

  • Assistive Technology

    accommodations include software and tools to support accessibility needs and are decided upon during a student’s welcome meeting with the Center for Disability Services (CDS). The CDS team is committed to working with each student to identify the most suitable accommodations. Additionally, there are assistive technologies available to all students, regardless of their registration status with CDS. Students are encouraged to explore available resources and email their CDS administrator with any questions.

  • Course Alternatives (specific to foreign language and math GE requirement)

    In certain limited instances where a student has a disability that is so profound that it precludes their ability to meet the foreign language and/or math general education requirement, may petition for course alternative(s). These requests will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.



  • Emotional Support Animals (ESA)

    ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø is committed to allowing students with mental health/psychological disabilities the use of an approved emotional support animal (ESA), as appropriate, in campus housing to facilitate their full benefit of the residential experience. For students living on campus, the Fair Housing Act (FHA) provides that emotional support animals may be considered a reasonable accommodation in campus housing. Please review our ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø Service and Assistance Animal Policy before proceeding with your request. 

    Students with a disability-related need for an emotional support animal should follow the procedure listed below to begin their request.

    Note:  Housing accommodation requests must be submitted to CDS and will be reviewed on a yearly basis. Requests can be submitted to CDS at any time; however, for best consideration in terms of availability, requests for housing accommodations for the Fall semester (or full academic year) must be submitted by:

    • February 15 for the fall semester for all returning students
    • May 1 for all incoming students
       

    Requests for housing accommodations for the Spring semester must be submitted by November 15.
     

    Requests for accommodations received after the above noted deadlines will be considered on the basis of availability.


    The CDS Housing Accommodation Committee reviews housing accommodation requests to determine what is needed to provide equal access to CofC's residence halls on campus. The Committee engages in an interactive process with the student, Campus Housing, Residence Life staff, and other CofC departments, as needed.

    Additional Information

    Students will generally only be approved for one ESA. Evaluating an ESA request takes time. Decisions regarding an ESA request can only be reached after appropriate documentation for the disability has been received and evaluated and a meeting/interview with the student has taken place. Students should allow at least two weeks to complete this process once they have met with a CDS staff member and should not obtain any animal until final approval is given.

    Step 1:  Complete the Housing Application.

    Complete the standard housing application process through Campus Housing.

    Step 2:  Complete the ESA Accommodation Request.



    I am NOT currently registered with the Center for Disability Services (CDS).
    All students seeking accommodations or disability-related supports should follow the registration process with CDS. In order to be eligible to receive accommodations, students must complete a three-step process of self-identification.
     


    After CDS staff meets with the student, an initial approval may be given for the student to have an ESA. If initial approval is given, the student will then be asked to provide information needed to have the specific animal approved for on-campus living. Updated vet records will need to be submitted by the student to CDS. 
     

    Note: Consideration may be given to how the animal could impact the style and size of the living space.
     

    Requests for unique animals, such as those not commonly kept in households, may require additional documentation which demonstrates a disability-related therapeutic need for the special animal or the specific type of animal. Animals with a potential risk of zoonosis may not be approved.
     


    Step 5: CDS informs Campus Housing and Residence Life of approval.

    CDS will inform Campus Housing and Residence Life via email once the request for an ESA and the specific ESA is given approval.
     


    A student may bring the approved ESA into College housing only after the student has been approved to have an ESA by CDS, and the specific animal has been approved by CDS (current vet records received and reviewed by CDS; student has met with CDS staff member).


     

     

  • Housing accommodations

    ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø provides housing accommodations on a case-by-case basis for students with a documented disability AND a housing contract with Campus Housing, in accordance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act.

    The Center for Disability Services (CDS), Campus Housing, and other college partners work collaboratively to provide approved accommodations for students with disabilities to allow for full inclusion in the housing community. The college will prioritize requests based on documented need and space availability. This means, housing assignments are made in accordance with the approved accommodation(s) and specific residence areas or buildings are not guaranteed.

    Requests for housing accommodations must be based on a documented disability and supported by disability documentation that illustrates clear and substantial barriers to being placed in a standard housing assignment. Requests for housing assignments based on student's preference (i.e., particular building, room, or roommate, or access to a quiet study space, etc.), rather than medical necessity, will not be honored.

    Reasonable housing accommodations may include, but are not limited to:

    • ADA equipped room (wheelchair accessible, grab bars, roll in shower)
    • Strobe/Flashing Alarm equipped room
    • Private rooms (student has their own bedroom but shares common spaces, including bathrooms)
    • Semi-private bathroom
       

    Housing accommodation requests must be submitted to CDS and will be reviewed on a yearly basis. Requests can be submitted to CDS at any time; however, for best consideration in terms of availability, requests for housing accommodations for the Fall semester (or full academic year) must be submitted by:

    • February 15 for the fall semester for all returning students
    • May 1 for all incoming students
       

    Requests for housing accommodations for the Spring semester must be submitted by November 15.
     

    Requests for accommodations received after the above noted deadlines will be considered on the basis of availability.


    The CDS Housing Accommodation Committee reviews housing accommodation requests to determine what is needed to provide equal access to CofC's residence halls on campus. The Committee engages in an interactive process with the student, Campus Housing, Residence Life staff, and other CofC departments, as needed.
     

    To formally submit a request, a student must:

    1. Complete the Housing Application.
      Complete the standard housing application process through Campus Housing.
       

    2. Submit the Housing Accommodation Request



      I am NOT currently registered with the Center for Disability Services (CDS).
      All students seeking accommodations or disability-related supports should follow the registration process with CDS. In order to be eligible to receive accommodations, students must complete a three-step process of self-identification.
       

    3. Submit documentation

      Have the Housing Accommodation Request Provider Form completed by your healthcare provider.

      Students seeking academic accommodations should review our documentation guidelines. In lieu of an evaluation, our Disability Verification Form can be completed by a student's healthcare provider.

    Approval Process

    • The CDS Housing Accommodation Committee meets to review students' request and documentation.

    • A determination email is sent to the student's CofC email address.

    • Approved housing accommodations are communicated to Campus Housing.

    • Campus Housing determines the students room assignment based on the approved accommodation(s) and current space availability.

    • Students will be placed on a waitlist if their housing accommodation request is approved but is not available at the time.  They will be moved when a vacancy occurs.

       

    Important Points to Remember

    • Requests for preferred residence halls and/or roommate (s) are not considered through the accommodation process.

    • Students must contact Campus Housing with all inquiries related to features or specifications of their housing assignment.  CDS is unable to provide detailed information regarding residence halls and rooms.

    • Disability documentation provided to CDS will be kept confidential and shared with relevant staff in a discreet manner and only as needed to evaluate the accommodation request.   
  • Temporary Conditions

    For students who need to explore temporary conditions (such as for a dominant broken arm/wrist or for a concussion with sustained symptoms): 

    • CDS is available for a consultation to discuss options. 
       
    • Not all temporary conditions are situations that fall within CDS role to address with accommodations. In some cases, students will need to explore options with professors without CDS involvement. 
       
    • Facilitation of any accommodations requires reasonable time frames to assess and coordinate. Accommodations may not be able to be facilitated immediately even when temporary situations are new with potentially immediate academic consequences. 
       
    • No Personalized Transportation Service as an Accommodation: Please note that personal transportation and travel to and around campus are the responsibility of each individual, regardless of personal situation. CDS and ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø do not have any personalized, door-to-door transportation services for students with chronic or temporary conditions.

     

     

    Temporary Conditions FAQ's


    Are you unable to complete academic requirements (e.g., note-taking)?

    Communicate first with your course instructors to discuss your situation and how it impacts your ability to complete coursework. 

    • CDS staff may request additional medical documentation including diagnosis, expected duration of the condition, treatment, and limitations (e.g., hospital discharge summaries, doctor’s notes, etc.) if the condition is not readily observable. 



    Are you having difficulty getting to classes or completing assignments?

    • Contact course instructors regarding your medical condition, absences, expected date of return to class, make up, etc. Typically, instructors determine how much flexibility is possible to stay current in the class. 

    • If unable to contact instructors, students or designated individuals should contact: .

     

    Do you need medical treatment for your condition?

    • Follow your doctor’s orders and comply with treatment. 

    • Get absence notes and written medical information (e.g., condition, symptoms, restrictions, recommendations, duration, etc.).

    • Contact to investigate on-campus medical services. 

     

    Do you need assistance with parking or travel?

    Please note personal transportation and travel around campus is the responsibility of each individual. ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø is not responsible for providing personalized, door-to-door transportation services for students.  Below are some suggestions relating to assistance with parking and/or travel:     

    • View . 

    • Contact  regarding . Campus HQ handles all inquiries regarding parking and transportation needs.

    • Contact an off-campus resource such as  if mobility aids (e.g., wheelchair; scooter) are needed. 


    Are you experiencing personal, academic, or vocational difficulties?

    Several on-campus resources might be considered:     

    •   

     

    Are you concerned about safety or evacuation in case of an emergency?

    Contact ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø’s  or  if you have questions or concerns about campus evacuation procedures.

    If you live in a residence hall with no elevator and need a temporary re-location due to a temporary mobility condition, please contact . 


    Do you need assistancee with food or meals?