A person with a disability is an individual with a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, has a record of an impairment, or is regarded as having an impairment.  A clinical diagnosis is not synonymous with a disability.  Individuals with disabilities must provide documentation verifying that they have a substantial limitation in a major life activity. 

Student Responsibility

It is the student's responsibility to self-identify as a student with a disability. The student can be referred to the Student Disability Services office by faculty, staff, students, parents, or others at any time throughout the student's educational experience. Students and parents are provided information about SDS at orientation.  It is also the student's responsibility to request services, participate in the process of determining, implementing, and modifying reasonable accommodations as well as abide by the student code of conduct set by the University. The student is also responsible for providing accommodation letters that have been issued from Student Disability Services to the professor in order to receive accommodations in the classroom and labs. 

Faculty Responsibility

It is the responsibility of the faculty to provide appropriate accommodations and ensure accessibility in the classrooms and department.  It is also the responsibility of the faculty to respect and maintain confidentially of the student including discussing student issues directly with the student. It is important for the faculty to remember to treat students as an individual (not comparing them to others) and to hold students accountable to established academic standards.  Faculty have the right to request verification from the Student Disability Services office for any student requesting accommodations. Student Disability Services is the only office designated to review disability documentation and determine eligibility for appropriate accommodations.