Many U.S. colleges and universities have services for people with disabilities on campus. Some offices provide counseling, others arrange tutoring or English clubs, some organize social activities for students with disabilities, and some make clubs and sports accessible. Does the institution you are attending have one of these ten offices or departments?
- Disability Services Office or Accessible Education Office – Request sign language interpreters, alternative format classroom materials, alternative testing locations, extra time on tests and homework assignments, and more.
- ADA Coordinator – The ADA coordinator on your campus is responsible for coordinating the school’s policies and procedures relating to disability, and for making sure the school follows the Americans with Disabilities Act law.
- Student Affairs – This office helps coordinate support and services to students who are underrepresented in school. This often includes students with disabilities.
- Counseling Services – Every student has feelings of stress, anxiety, depression, or confusion at times. Some students also struggle with substance abuse, relationship issues, conflict, or thoughts of violence or self-harm. Counselors are there to listen to you and guide you in a confidential setting.
- Tutoring or Study Skills Center – Get help with your homework as well as strategies for staying organized and focused.
- Students with Disabilities Alliance or Student Group – Just as your campus probably has a club for international students, it also likely has a club for students with disabilities. Get involved!
- Health Center – Talk to your health center about student health insurance, filling medication prescriptions, and a variety of health services.
- Adaptive Sports Team – Stay active! Some schools offer a variety of wheelchair sports, such as rugby, basketball or racing. If you do not use a wheelchair, the student recreation center or club sports offices can help you get involved in mainstream sports or adaptive activities.
- Assistive Technology / Adaptive Technology Lab – Use computers equipped with special software for enlarging text, displaying Braille, reading text out loud, and more.
- Student Housing – If you plan to live in dorms or in university housing, ask about the availability of accessible rooms, such as rooms with wheelchair-accessible features, rooms on the ground floor, or rooms near a bus stop. Understand policies related to service dogs, personal assistants, refrigerating medications, allergies, and other disability considerations if needed.
