How is college going to be different from high school in regard to services provided for me as a student with a disability?
You may find that the accommodations provided at LMU are not the same as those that you have received in the past. The reason for this is that the laws that provide accommodations in secondary institutions (high school) are different than those that apply to post-secondary (college) institutions. At the secondary level, the goal of accommodation is to provide access and success. However, at the post-secondary level, the goal of accommodation is to provide access in order to grant equal opportunity.
At the college level, is a 504 Plan or Individualized Education Plan (IEP) accepted for use in documentation of a disability?
On its own, 504 plans and IEPs are not considered complete documentation of a disability and will not be enough to receive accommodations. The DSS Office has published documentation guidelines which describe acceptable documentation; however, the information in a 504 plan or IEP may be useful in understanding your prior academic history.
When do I contact the DSS Office to disclose a disability?
If the student is an incoming freshman or transfer student, once they have committed to LMU, they should contact the DSS Office to discuss our application process. Doing this well in advance of starting at the university allows the DSS Office time to receive the documentation, review it, and contact you if any additional information is needed. If you are currently enrolled at LMU and have a documented disability, then you should contact the DSS Office at their earliest convenience.
Please note that the DSS Office makes every effort to respond to request within 15 business days once all of the documentation has been submitted. The time before accommodations are given may be much longer than this if additional information/documentation is needed. Once additional documentation is submitted for re-review, the DSS Office will make every effort to respond within 15 business days. There is a possibility that even with documentation, accommodations may not be granted because the disability does not cause a limitation in a major life activity as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). If accommodations are granted, then you will be informed in writing and encouraged to contact the DSS Office.
Are housing accommodations available? What do I need to do in order to be considered for housing accommodations?
New or returning students may make a request for on-campus housing accommodations at any time. However, LMU's opportunity to provide the accommodations that you need may be limited if the request is made after rooms have been assigned for the academic year in question. Accordingly, new students are encouraged to contact the DSS Office as soon as they know they will be attending LMU. It is strongly recommended that both new and returning students contact the DSS Office to discuss their on-campus housing needs before the housing application is due.
While the Student Housing Office will make every effort to accommodate your housing needs at any point during the year, requesting housing accommodations at the earliest possible date will help to ensure that you receive the on-campus housing that you need. Finally, housing accommodations are based on the disabled students documented need and may not be extended to the disabled student's prospective roommates.
If I am registered with the DSS Office, how are my faculty notified of my approved accommodations?
If approved for academic accommodations, each semester you will need to login to the DSS Online Services website. Using this system you will be able to select what accommodations you want to use in each of your classes. Once you do this, our system will send an email to your faculty making them aware of the accommodations you selected for their class. Although your faculty will be notified by email, we encourage you to have a conversation with them about the best way for you to utilize these accommodations.
If I have 50% (time and a half) extended time for my exams, should I test with my professor or with the DSS Office?
Students who have 50% extended time as an accommodation typically take exams with their faculty. Students who have other testing accommodations or more than 50% extended time have the option to test with their professor or with the DSS Office. If you are unsure where you should be taking your exams, please speak with your faculty or contact the DSS Office.
As a reminder, if you are testing in the DSS Office, you will need to schedule your exam through the DSS online portal 7 days before your exam (14 days before finals).
If peer note taking is one of my accommodations, will my note taker know who I am?
No. DSS does everything possible to protect the privacy of our students. Likewise, DSS will not reveal the peer note taker's identity to the DSS student.
If peer note taking is one of your accommodations, then when you select this accommodation for your class through the DSS online portal, DSS will work to recruit a peer from your class to share notes. The DSS Office emails your class roster with a general announcement that the we are looking for a peer note taker for that course and anyone interested needs to apply through the DSS online portal. When the a peer note taker is selected, they will upload notes to the DSS online portal. Each time they do this, an email is sent to you, the DSS student with the approved accommodation, letting you know that they are available to download.
If I am approved for accommodations, can they be retro-active?
No; accommodations cannot be applied retro-actively. Due to this, it is encouraged that you apply early and not wait until you are struggling academically to seek help from the DSS Office. Likewise, if approved for accommodations, you are encouraged to notify your faculty early in the semester of your approved accommodations.
Accommodations may be used at your discretion. If you have been approved for accommodations, you will need to login to the DSS online portal and select what accommodations you would like to use in each of your classes so that DSS may email your faculty. Without emailed notification from DSS, your faculty are not able to provide your approved accommodations. If you chose not to notify your faculty of your approved accommodations until later in the semester, the accommodations may not be applied retro-actively and will be applicable as of when your faculty was notified. Due to this, you are encouraged to complete your faculty notifications at the beginning of each semester.
Other than DSS, will other people on campus know my disability?
It is at your discretion to disclose a disability. Some students choose to disclose to their professors in private so that they may better understand their needs. The DSS Office will not disclose any information about your disability unless you sign a Release of Information form allowing us to discuss information about you with a third party.