Disability Services for Students

Eligibility Process

Students with disabilities must make regular application for admission to Western Michigan University and meet all admission standards. Like all admitted students, students with disabilities must demonstrate the ability to do college work successfully. Students with conditions impacting a major life function, such as learning, may need to request accommodations. This can include students with mental health or other medical concerns. Students who are experiencing temporary medical concerns can register with Disability Services for Students to receive temporary accommodations. No qualified person shall, by reason of disability, be denied access to, participation in, or the benefits of any program or activity operated by Western Michigan University.

To request accommodations through Disability Services for Students fill out the DSS-Accommodate Initial Information Form. Supporting documentation can be uploaded to this form, sent via fax, or brought as hard copies to initial meetings.

DSS-Accommodate Initial Information Form

After the DSS-Accommodate form is filled out please make a phone or in-person appointment by calling DSS at (269) 387-2116 or use our online scheduling page to make an initial appointment. Your initial meeting is very important; you will not be considered registered with the office until you have met with us.

Accommodations

Under the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, individuals with disabilities are guaranteed certain protections and rights of equal access to programs and services. While the university provides reasonable accommodations, we do not change essential academic requirements or job functions. Accommodation determinations are based on documentation and individualized needs assessment.

Self Advocacy

An advocate is someone who supports, defends or pleads on behalf of someone else, a self-advocate supports, defends or pleads for themselves. It means identifying yourself as a student with a disability. It means discussing one-on-one with professors your need for specific accommodations in a classroom. It also means being aware of how your disability impacts your ability to function and then seeking out the resources to assist you in overcoming obstacles presented by your disability.

At the postsecondary level, colleges and universities are not allowed to ask about disabilities during the admittance process. Since they cannot ask, they must rely on you to make your needs known. You will need to provide the appropriate documentation to substantiate the disability and request accommodations and/or academic adjustments in a timely manner.

The disability services office will help promote your skill as a self-advocate by explaining procedures, providing resources and services, and act on your behalf when requested. Again, the onus is on you to make your needs known.

Parents and Guardians

As a minor or person under 18 years old, your parents or guardians have been responsible for every part of your life. This changes once you turn 18 and are admitted to a college or university. As an adult, everything about you and the university is private and confidential. Your parents are only able to be involved if you give them permission. This includes every aspect of college life – tuition and fees, room and board, academics and classes, conduct, and so on.

The Family Education and Right to Privacy Act (FERPA) is an Act that provides for the release of private and confidential information to specified persons. Release forms are available at various departments on campus and at Disability Services for Students. If you expect either of your parents, other guardian or person to contact DSS to discuss you and your situation, you will need to sign the FERPA.

For other areas of the university, you may need to provide your parents or guardians with passwords and other account information. For example, if they will be “paying the bills,” you will need to allow them access to the GoWMU portal so they can get any balances due. Paper statements are not necessarily mailed. It is assumed that you, the student and adult, will take care of your financial obligations, so if you want your parents or guardians to do it, you must give access.