isability Services

Disability Services (abbreviated DS) is the name of the college office that provides advocacy and arranges for academic support and campus accessibility for students with disabilities. Depending on the college, this office may have a different name. "Disabled Student Services", "Educational Access" and "Special Needs" are examples of other names. To receive services, you must request them from the Disability Services office and provide documentation that verifies and explains your disability.

Disability Services Coordinator

The Disability Support Services Coordinator is an employee of the college who assists students with disabilities by ensuring equal access.

Based on appropriate disability documentation provided by the student, he or she determines eligibility for accommodations and works with students and instructors to be sure that they are provided. The DS Coordinator will:

meet with you when you requestaccommodations;
review your documentation to identify accommodations you are eligible to receive;
prepare a written plan (an agreement outlining the accommodations and responsibilities);
coordinate to be sure the plan is in place;
work with college faculty, administrators and staff as an advocate and provide support to all parties in the accommodations process;
help you understand your role as a self-advocate.

The DS Coordinator may also assist the college in addressing equal access issues related to college services, programs and campus facilities.

How to contact the Disability Services Coordinator?

A list of the DS Coordinators for in Washington State and Oregon can be found on this Web site by clicking on "Colleges". This list includes the phone numbers for each DS Coordinator. Disability Service Coordinators not listed are generally found on their college Web sites. Go to the Colleges section of Post-ITT for hints on finding this information quickly.

Activities 36, 42 and 43 of the Guidance Activities help students prepare for and make initial contact with a disability services coordinator.

When to contact the Disability Services Coordinator

Getting information about Disability Services and how services are delivered at different schools will you determe which school will best fit your needs. Have this discussion with DS Coordinators before applying to schools and it will make your decision easier.

Once admitted to a college, a meeting with the DS Coordinator to arrange for services must be scheduled. Since some accommodations such as tape-recorded texts, arranging for readers, scribes and sign language interpreters may require time to coordinate, it is best to schedule this meeting at least eight weeks in advance.

Academic adjustments (accommodations): are changes in the delivery of course material and/or in the assessment of knowledge that assist students in meeting the standards of the course. Examples include: notetakers, recorded textbooks, time extensions on course assignments or tests, sign language interpreter, and assistive technology.

Documentation: is a written assessment from a disability professional. It must include a diagnosis and the impact of the disability on learning. Documentation is required to determine eligibility and the services needed.