Disability Services
For Students
Eligibility for Services
- Read the guidelines before the semester starts and gather appropriate documentation as it relates to the requested accommodations.
- Schedule an intake meeting with a specialist.
- If possible, get your documentation to the specialist prior to your meeting, but if you can't, make sure you bring it with you. Keep a copy of the documentation for your records.
- Contact Disability Services if you have any questions.
Intake Meeting
During your intake meeting, you will complete the intake data form and your documentation will be reviewed.
- Disability Services will verify your eligibility and discuss what types of services and/or reasonable accommodations you may need at this time.
- Additional documentation may be requested to complete your file, or to answer questions or inconsistencies regarding your current status and the requested accommodations.
- Accommodations are determined on an individual basis.
- You are responsible to fill out an Accommodation Request Form with Disability Services for each semester in which services are being requested.
Faculty Notification
We will also discuss Confidential Accommodation Approval Letters, signed by you and the Disability Services counselor. It is your responsibility as the student to share these letters with your professors, which verify that you have registered, and have appropriate documentation on file with Disability Services.
- Confidential Accommodation Approval Letters inform your instructors of your accommodations.
- Students are responsible for meeting with their professors to discuss the letter's contents.
- You will be given a form that must be signed by each affected professor, and you must return it to Disability Services.
Interpreter Tip Sheet
Disabilty Services determines that the student is eligible for interpreting services. Here are some helpful tips working with an interpreter.
- The interpreter's role is to facilitate communication from English and ASL; they are not tutors or teacher aides.
- Interpreters are certified professionals hired by Salem State University.
- Speak naturally at a reasonable, modest pace, keeping in mind that the interpreter must listen and understand a complete thought before interpreting it to another language.
- If the class is over two hours, a team of interpreters will work together and alternate every 20-30 minutes.
- Captioned films and videotapes are strongly recommended to allow the student direct visual access to the information.
Grievance Procedures
Disability Services understands that there are times when a disagreement on a decision regarding accommodations may arise, or problems during the process of receiving accommodations that have already been determined. If a student wishes to challenge an Disability Services decision of accommodations, or has a complaint about accommodations they are receiving, they should notify the director as soon as possible. The director will promptly evaluate the situation and attempt an informal resolution.
If the director is unable to resolve the matter, or if the student disagrees with the outcome, a grievance can be filed with the Salem State University Office for Equal Opportunity, where relevant information pertaining to the incident will be presented. A detailed overview of the grievance process is available at the OEO office 978.542.6106.
Every effort will be made to resolve the disagreement as expeditiously as possible. It is important to note that at any time during the process, a student may choose to contact the Office of Civil Rights 617.223.9700 to seek appropriate advice and/or to file a formal complaint.
Any ADA/504 grievances that are related to employment/job-related issues, physical access, activities or events on campus should be directed to the Equal Opportunities Office
