Register for Disability Services

To be eligible for services, students must provide appropriate documentation of their 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 Disability Services

Step 2: Submit documentation of your disability

Step 3: Contact Disability Services and schedule a time to meet with the Coordinator

Confidentiality and Release of Information

Disability Services ensures that all student information is confidential as required or permitted by law. Any information obtained by Disability 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, University 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 Disability Services except the Disability 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. Access the FERPA release form 

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 the University. After that time, documents will be appropriately disposed of.

Emotional Support Animals

DSU recognizes the importance of emotional support animals (ESAs) for individuals with disabilities and has established a policy regarding ESAs to assist students.  The University also acknowledges that such animals' presence may present health, safety, security, and programmatic issues for other members of the community.  DSU reserves the right to alter ESA procedures, as necessary, at any time.

DSU reserves the right to enforce all relevant rules for the use of ESAs through the student conduct code and applicable laws.  The University also reserves the right to revoke the permission granted for the campus presence of any ESA whose owner fails to follow the requirements set forth in ESA procedures.

Requests for ESAs will only be reviewed under the procedure for university housing.  ESA animals will not be allowed in other campus facilities (i.e., classrooms, dining facilities, etc.)  according to DSU policy 916.001 Animals On Campus.

Requests that do not carry evidence of the ESA's necessity as a reasonable accommodation will be denied.

Accommodation requests are reviewed and managed by the Office of Disability Services.  For more information contact the Office of Disability Services at dsu.disability@dickinsonstate.edu or by phone at 701-483-2686.