The student is responsible for initiating a request for accommodations by making an appointment with a staff member in Disability Services (DS). Scheduling this consultation a few weeks prior to the start of the semester for which s/he is enrolled is advisable. In order to receive accommodations, the student is required to provide current documentation of the disability as well as the need for reasonable accommodation(s). To receive accommodations that require time to prepare, such as alternative text (audio access to textbooks) or sign language interpreters, requests need to be made early enough to allow ample time to fulfill the request, preferably 60 days before the semester begins.


The student meets with a DS staff member to do the following:

• Provide initial information about the disability through an initial consultation
• Review documentation of the condition for disability consideration (provided by the qualifying professional)
  NOTE: Submitting documentation prior to the interactive consultation is strongly recommended
• Complete the intake process, discuss needed accommodations and review relevant policies and procedures
• Complete appropriate accommodation forms

The DS staff member will create letters for instructors, verifying a disability and stating reasonable and appropriate accommodations identified by Disability Services to mitigate the impact of the disability. The student is responsible for delivering letters to instructors, preferably during their office hours and as soon as possible after receiving them.

While eligible students with disabilities are strongly encouraged to open a file with Disability Services prior to the start of the semester for which services are needed, students can apply for disability services any time and proceed with accommodation requests once eligibility is established. Accommodations are not retroactive, however.

Receiving Accommodations

Staff in the Disability Services office are prepared to work with NDSU students who have a wide range of disabilities. In order to access accommodations, students shall provide documentation of a disability from a qualifying professional.

Summary of documentation guidelines:

1. A diagnostic statement identifying the disability, date of the current diagnostic evaluation and the date of the original diagnosis.
2. A description of the diagnostic criteria and/or diagnostic test used.
3. A description of the current functional impact of the disability.
4. Treatment, medications, assistive devices/services currently prescribed or in use.
5. A description of the expected progression or stability of the impact of the disability over time should be included.
6. Relevant credentials of the diagnosing professional(s) such as their medical specialty or professional licensure.

This documentation serves to establish eligibility for disability services and to help staff members recommend appropriate accommodations. It is maintained in the Disability Services office as confidential information and is not available to faculty or staff outside our office without a release from the student.

Students are encouraged to speak with instructors and Disability Services staff about accommodations well before the term begins to allow enough time to make necessary arrangements. Although instructors may need to be flexible with accommodations, they will hold students with disabilities to the same academic standards as other students.