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Disclosing and Documenting a Disability to Request Academic Accommodations
Welcome Exceptional New Students!
We're delighted you've chosen to be a part of the Dickinson Family. If you are in need of any type of accommodation(s) at Dickinson--whether due to a learning or physical disability, a medical or mental health condition, or a temporary impairment, we'll need for you to complete a dislosure questionaire and accommodation request. This is an online form. We'll also need for you to send documentation of your disability, condition, or impairment.
Follow the steps below to ensure timely review of your request and documentation and a determination of eligibility for accommodation.
General Information
Disability Services Director Marni Jones reviews all requests for accommodations with the understanding that each student's circumstance and exceptionality is unique, and that a flexible approach is the best way to determine appropriate accommodations for each situation. Any student seeking an accommodation must follow the College policy for documenting a disability.
Disclosure of a disability and requests for accommodations are made voluntarily by each student and kept entirely confidential. Supports and accommodations provided by Disability Services are not included anywhere on a student's record or transcript. Accommodations letters (which are given by students with a disability to the professors of their choosing) indicate students' eligibility for specific accommodations, but do not disclose any diagnoses.
Individuals with a temporary impairment (broken bone, temporary illness, or recovery from surgery) should view the Temporary Impairment Services webpage for related support and recommendations.
Diclosing and Documenting a Disability and Requesting Accommodation(s)
Step Two: Submit appropriate documentation of your disability. For more specific guidelines on documentation, please refer to the Guidelines for Documenting a Disability, and be sure to find the link that relates to the disability(or disabilities) that you are requesting accommodations for.
Documentation can be submitted by fax (717-245-1618), email (jonesmar@dickinson.edu), or mail to:
Marni Jones, Director of Disability Services
Dickinson College
Biddle House, PO Box 1773
Carlisle, PA 17013
Step Three: Director Marni Jones will review your documentation to determine what accommodation(s) you are eligible for.Please note that sufficient time is required to review all documentation. It is possible that she will request additional documentation, or seek a consultation with an evaluator before a decision can be made.
Step Four: Once the documentation is reviewed, Stephanie Anderberg of Disability Services will contact you to schedule a phone conversation with Marni Jones. During this conversation, Marni will discuss the accommodations you are eligible for, review the process for receiving accommodations at Dickinson, and answer any questions that you might have.
If, in the meantime, you have any questions, concerns or comments about the status of your documentation or the documenting process, please email disabilityservices@dickinson.edu, or call us at 717.245.1734.
Facilitating Academic Accommodations
First: Once you have been deemed eligible for (an) academic accommodation(s), call 717.245.1734 between August 6th-8th to schedule an accommodations meeting with Marni Jones to take place within the first two weeks of the semester. She will have written an accommodation letter for you to get and give to your professors, informing them of the accommodations for which you are eligible.
Soon thereafter: Set up an appointment with each professor of any course in which you are seeking accommodations, to discuss how they'll be implemented. (Your and the professor's class schedule, for instance, may impact the way that an extended time accommodation would be executed.) Here are some tips for discussing accommodations with professors.
Early in the semester: In each meeting with your professors, go over the accommodations you intend to use for that class. Together, you'll complete and sign your Confirmation of Accommodations Discussion Form.
Right after that: Return each signed form to Disability Services within 3 days of your meeting, to ensure that your accommodations are noted and, if any proctoring is needed, implemented for the semester.
Any time: If you ever have questions or concerns about yor accommodations, speak up! Dickinson professors are known to be accommodating, and Disability Services is here to support you and your acccommodation needs. Learn about all the resouces that are available to you, such as Writing Tutoring, Peer Tutors, Peer Advisors, Class Deans, and Learning Skills Workshops, and take advantage of them. Don't be afriad to ask questions, seek help, and self-advocate!