Accessibility Services
Resources
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
Vocational Rehabilitation Services
Questions? Contact Us.
Accessibility Services
May Hall 211A
dsu.accessibility@dickinsonstate.edu
Call 701-581-1164
Register for Accessibility Services
To be eligible for services, you must provide appropriate documentation of your disability. Disabilities can be physical, psychological, or learning-related. A disability is defined as significantly limiting one or more major life activities.
Step 1: Complete a registration packet from Accessibility Services
Step 2: Submit documentation of your disability
Step 3: Contact Accessibility Services and schedule a time to meet with the coordinator
Download accessibility service forms and documents
Student Rights & Responsibilities
- Self-advocate for own needs
- Register with Disability Services
- Provide current evidence of a disability
- Request accommodations promptly each semester enrolled
- Give accommodation letter to necessary faculty and staff
- Communicate with faculty and staff as needed
- Provide textbook information for alternative text formats
Transition
Wondering what the difference is between high school accommodations and college accommodations? Please visit these resources:
Transitions to College for Students with Disabilities
Accommodations
Confidentiality and Release of Information
Accessibility Services ensures that all student information is confidential as required or permitted by law. Any information obtained by Accessibility Services is used to verify the disability and plan for appropriate services. This information may include test data, grades, biographical history, disability information, performance review, and case notes.
Disability-related information is treated the same as medical information. For example, DSU faculty and staff do not have a right or a need to access diagnostic or other information regarding a student’s diagnosis. They need only to know what accommodations are necessary or appropriate to meet the student’s needs. No one has access to the student files at Accessibility Services except the accessibility services coordinator and the director of the Student Opportunity and Resource (SOAR) Center.
Information regarding a student’s disability may be shared with a limited group of university officials on a “need to know” basis. For example, information may be released when a student is appealing a disability-related decision or citing the disability as a mitigating circumstance in a course or program-related issue. View the FERPA/Student Information Release form on Campus Connection by completing these steps
Files maintained by the university will only be released in accordance with federal and state laws, which require release in the following circumstances:
- A student indicates or reports that he/she intends to harm himself/herself or another person(s).
- A student reports physical abuse, neglect, or sexual abuse of children or vulnerable adults within the last three years. This includes the occurrence of abuse or neglect to the student if he/she was under the age of 18 at the time of the abuse.
- Files can be released legally pursuant to a court order or subpoena.
- A student may give written authorization for the release of information when he/she wishes to share it with others. Before giving such authorization, the student should understand the information is being released. Information will not be released without consent unless it is required by federal or state law.
- Documentation will be kept on file for five years after the student is no longer enrolled at Dickinson State. After that time, documents will be appropriately disposed of.
Grievance Procedures
Internal Grievance Procedure
Students may use the Grievance Policy for Accommodations to appeal the university’s decisions regarding requests for accommodations.
External Grievance Procedure
Students with disabilities, who feel the university may have violated their civil rights, may file a complaint with the Office for Civil Rights (OCR). The OCR enforces federal civil rights laws. These laws prohibit discrimination based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age in programs or activities that receive federal financial assistance from the Department of Education (ED).
Channel for Communication Relating to Accessibility Services
Accessibility Services Coordinator > Director of SOAR > Dean of Students
Report an Access Barrier
All are encouraged to report physical access problems (e.g., icy walking path, elevator not working). If you encounter any barriers at DSU, please contact Facilities at 701-502-4406.
FAQ
Yes, absolutely! If you’re planning to visit our campus as you select a university, let your enrollment coach know that you’d like to speak with someone from Accessibility Services or if you will need any accommodations during the visit.
Please note that you are not required to disclose your disability at any time. The decision to self-disclose a disability during the admission process is your personal choice. Dickinson State University does not have a separate admissions process or criteria for students with disabilities. Disability documentation should be submitted directly to Accessibility Services.
Please send your disability documentation to:
Accessibility Support Services
291 Campus Drive
Dickinson, ND 58601
Fax: (701) 483-2942
Note: Please include a cover letter when faxing and indicate that the material is
confidential.
Email: dsu.accessibility@dickinsonstate.edu
Note: Documentation accepted via email must be sent directly from the medical provider.