Disability Resources

Registering for Services and Requesting Accommodations 

In order to receive accommodation, you must first submit a request for accommodations and meet with one of our Disability Specialists to discuss your need. Please note that the accommodations listed in this handbook are comprehensive and may include some accommodations which you may not be eligible to receive. Completing a request does not guarantee you are eligible to receive accommodations.  

Students with documented disabilities are entitled to reasonable and appropriate academic accommodations in accordance with Federal laws including Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990. The ADA defines disability as a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities. It is the student’s choice to disclose disability status and to request reasonable accommodations.  

Step 1: Submit Request

Students may submit the online request for services form or fill out an intake form in the DR office. The printable version of the intake form is available on the DR website. To access and submit a request using the online form, please go to the Request for Service link on the DR website (https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?JacksonvilleStateUniv&layout_id=13). If you have documentation ready, you will have the opportunity to upload the documentation on this form. Otherwise, it will be requested as part of Step 2 below.

Step 2: Submit Documentation (VA disability information accepted)

Once the intake form is received by DR, a staff member will be assigned to you and will reach out to you for the next steps of your request. As part of these next steps, you will need to provide documentation of disability from a qualified healthcare provider, if you have not already done so. It is helpful if documentation includes recommendation of appropriate reasonable accommodations for the post-secondary setting. You can also provide any other relevant information such as psychological testing reports, copies of IEP’s, 504 plans, or other information pertaining to any previous accommodations received.  For questions regarding documentation, reference our documentation guidelines later in the document.  

Step 3: Meet with Disability Specialist 

Once the intake form is complete and documentation of disability is received, your specialist will develop an Individualized Post-Secondary Plan (IPP) with you. The IPP serves as the request for accommodations in the classroom. It is up to you, the individual student, whether to present your IPP letter (sent electronically from DR at your request) to your instructors and when you choose to do so. It is strongly suggested that you present your letters and discuss your accommodation needs early in the semester. An instructor is not obligated to retroactively provide accommodations. If you feel uncomfortable speaking with an instructor, a DR staff member can assist you. Remember that instructors may have a number of accommodations requests each semester and that you may have to speak with them out of class, during office hours, schedule an appointment, or communicate with them by email to make sure your reasonable accommodations are worked out. If there is a problem with your request for accommodations in any course or you have questions about your accommodations, please contact DR as soon as possible.

Initiating Accommodations 

Upon receiving accommodation approval, it is your responsibility to follow the process below at the beginning of each semester in each class you are seeking accommodations.  

Each Semester 

  1. Review your course’s requirements. This includes the design of the course and reading the course syllabus. Consider your individual needs in that course. You may find that some of your accommodations may not be needed or appropriate for each class.  
  2. Contact your Disability Specialist directly or email the general email (disabilityresources@jsu.edu) a request to have your IPP letter sent. Please include the instructors for the courses you are seeking accommodations and their email address, if known.  Your IPP will list the accommodations you are eligible to receive. It does not identify your disability.  
  3. Meet with your instructors. Schedule an individual appointment or visit your faculty member during office hours to review your IPP and discuss how the accommodations will be provided. It is important that you request accommodations early in the semester. An instructor is not obligated to retroactively provide accommodations. If you feel uncomfortable speaking with an instructor, a Disability Resources staff member can assist you. Remember, you are not required to disclose or discuss the nature of your disability.  
  4. Maintain contact with your instructor and your Disability Specialist as needed. It is your responsibility to arrange accommodations as needed. It is beneficial to touch base with your instructors prior to periodic accommodations (e.g., testing accommodations) in advance of needing them. If you need to utilize Testing Services, it is your responsibility to schedule your exams. Remember that instructors may have a number of accommodations requests each semester and that you may have to speak with them out of class or communicate with them by email to make sure your reasonable accommodations are worked out. If there is a problem with your request for accommodations in any course, please contact the Office of Disability Resources as soon as possible.