Student FAQs
Please click on a question to review the response below:
If you have a question that you do not see listed, please feel free to contact our office.
How is college going to be different from high school in regard to services provided for me as a student with a disability?
At the k-12 level, accommodations are made based on the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. When a student transitions to the college level, the law changes. Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act still applies, but the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) must also be considered. Sometimes this means that students do not receive all of the same accommodations that they may have had in high school. Return to the top
At the college level, is a 504 Plan or Individualized Education Plan (IEP) accepted for use in documentation of a disability?
On its own, 504 plans and IEPs are not considered complete documentation of a disability and will not be enough to receive accommodations. The DSS Office has published documentation guidelines which describe acceptable documentation; however, the information in a 504 plan or IEP may be useful in understanding the prior academic history of the student. Return to the top
Will I receive the same accommodations that I received in high school from my 504 Plan or IEP?
Requested accommodations must be consistent with LMU's academic goals and standards. Accommodations are approved on a case-by-case basis, based upon individual student's requests. Therefore, accommodations may vary, are required to be reasonable, and are subject to the current needs of the student. Students should not assume that accommodations provided in high school will be provided in college. Return to the top
When do I contact the DSS Office to disclose a disability?
If the student is an incoming freshman or transfer student, once they have decided to attend LMU and have sent in their deposit, then they should submit their documentation to the DSS Office. Doing this well in advance of starting at the university allows the DSS Office time to receive the documentation, review it, and contact the student if any additional information is needed. If the student currently attends LMU and have a documented disability, then they should submit their documentation at their earliest convenience.
Please note that the DSS Office makes every effort to respond to request within 15 business days once all of the documentation has been submitted. The time before accommodations are given may be much longer than this if additional information/documentation is needed. Once additional documentation is submitted for re-review, The DSS Office will make every effort to respond within 15 business days. There is a possibility that even with documentation accommodations may not be granted because the disability does not cause a substantial limitation in a major life activity as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). If accommodations are granted, then the student will be informed in writing and encouraged to contact the DSS Office to fill out the proper paperwork to receive these accommodations. Return to the top
Are housing accommodations available? What do I need to do in order to be considered for housing accommodations?
New or returning students may make a request for on-campus housing accommodations at any time; however, LMU's opportunity to provide the accommodations that you need may be limited if the request is made after rooms have been assigned for the academic year in question. Accordingly, new students are encouraged to contact the DSS Office as soon as they know they will be attending LMU. It is strongly recommended that both new and returning students contact the DSS Office to discuss their on-campus housing needs before the housing application is due. Late requests will be considered, however, students may be placed onto a wait list if they provide documentation after housing assignments have been made. While LMU will make every effort to accommodate your housing needs at any point during the year, requesting housing accommodations at the earliest possible date will help to ensure that you receive the on-campus housing accommodations that you need. Finally, housing accommodations are based on the disabled students documented needs and may not be extended to the disabled student's prospective roommates. Return to the top
If I am registered with the DSS Office, do I have to fill out a Student Contract and Reasonable Accommodation forms every semester?
Yes. Your Student Contract provides the DSS Office with your most current contact information. Also, if you receive note taking as an accommodation, your Student Contract is where you would list the classes for which you are requesting note taking services. The Reasonable Accommodation forms are given to your professors letting them know what accommodations you receive. To complete the Reasonable Accommodation forms you will need to meet with a member of the DSS staff so that your accommodations may be stamped and approved. Once this is done you may take the form to your professor to sign. Once signed by your professors, you should return the forms to the DSS Office. Return to the top
If I have 50% (time and a half) extended time for my exams, should I test with my professor or with the DSS Office?
As of the Spring 2010 semester many professors are proctoring exams for the DSS students in their classes who only have 50% extended time as an accommodation. Students who have other testing accommodations or more than 50% extended time have the option to test with their professor or in the DSS Office. If you are unsure where you should be taking your exams, please contact the DSS Office to discuss your specific accommodations. As a reminder, if you are testing in the DSS Office, you will need to submit a completed Request for Proctoring Services to the DSS Office 7 days before your exam (14 days before finals). Return to the top
If note taking is one of my accommodations, will my note taker know who I am?
No. DSS does everything possible to protect the privacy of our students. If note taking is one of your accommodations, then the DSS Office would ask you to provide an alias. Your professor will make a confidential general announcement in class that the DSS Office is hiring a note taker for that course and anyone interested should contact DSS. When the note taker is hired, they will be provided with the alias of the student for whom they are taking notes. Likewise, we will not reveal the note taker's identity to the DSS student. Return to the top
Other than DSS, will other people on campus know my disability?
It is at your discretion to disclose a disability. Some students choose to disclose to their professors in private so that they may better understand their needs. The DSS Office will not disclose any information about your disability unless you sign a Release of Information form allowing us to discuss information about you with a third party. Return to the top