Once I have been admitted to Ball State, how do I go about receiving accommodations for my disability?
Every student who is admitted to Ball State receives a "Self-Disclosure for Disability" form with their admissions package. Should you choose to disclose a disability, simply fill this form out and return it to the DSD office. DSD will then send you a verification form to be completed by the appropriate licensed professional. When this verification form is returned, DSD will meet with you to determine what accommodations are reasonable and appropriate for you. Of course, you may disclose a disability at any time while you are a Ball State student.

What do I need to do to verify that I have a disability and receive services or accommodations at Ball State?
The first step is to disclose your disability to DSD. When you do, you will receive one of DSD's four verification of disability forms. DSD has verification forms for Attention Deficit Disorder, Learning Disabilities, Physical Disabilities, and Psychological Disabilities. This form should be given to the appropriate licensed professional for completion. The appropriate licensed professional is the person who diagnosed you with the disability or currently sees you relative to the disability. DSD will review the documentation to determine what, if any, services or accommodations are appropriate and reasonable.

What documentation requirements does DSD have?
In order to receive services or accommodations relative to a disability, DSD must have on file thorough documentation of the disability that: clearly diagnosis a disability; is age-appropriate (i.e. assesses the student's current level of functioning); lists the functional limitations of the student's disability in an educational setting; and lists recommendations from the appropriate licensed professional for accommodations for the student.

I have an IEP that was used in high school. Will the provisions in it carry over to Ball State?
No, colleges and universities do not follow the provisions of your IEP (Individualized Education Program). Although your IEP may help identify what accommodations were useful in high school, it is not sufficient documentation to determine appropriate and reasonable accommodations at Ball State. Having the appropriate licensed profession thoroughly fill out and return DSD's verification form is the best way for DSD to determine what accommodations you will receive.

Does Ball State offer any scholarships for students with disabilities?
No, Ball State does not offer any scholarships specifically for students with disabilities. To learn more about scholarships offered, please view the Scholarships and Financial Aid Homepage. Also, financial assistance may be available to students with disabilities through Indiana Vocational Rehabilitation Services (VR). VR is a state/federal agency whose purpose is to provide training/support for persons with disabilities. VR will sometimes pay some college costs for its clients.

Is Ball State's campus accessible for wheelchair users?
In addition to offering an accessible campus for students who are wheelchair users, Ball State offers many other services and accommodations as well. Services such as accommodated test administration, access to a lift-equipped shuttle, priority class scheduling, and accessible housing are offered. While Ball State does not provide personal care attendants, a referral list of prospective attendants and local home health care agencies can be obtained from DSD.

What services does Ball State offer to students who are deaf or hard of hearing?
DSD will work with the student to arrange for sign language interpreters and notetakers, as needed. Additionally, DSD can offer priority class scheduling, captioning for films and videos shown in class, and letters to professors discussing accommodations, if requested by the student. Ball State's Audiology Clinic offers a variety of services to students who are deaf or hard of hearing.

How does Ball State make the printed word accessible for students with visual impairments?
DSD works with the student to determine what works best for the student. The Adaptive Computer Technology (ACT) Lab can make print accessible in many ways, one of which is to convert the text into a CD that the student can use on a computer with speech output or with ZoomText. Most students find this to be an effective option. DSD can also order books on tape for the student. DSD provides other services for students who are visually impaired such as priority class scheduling, notetakers, and accommodated test administration.

Does DSD offer any accommodations for students with psychological disabilities?
Yes, DSD provides services such as accommodated test administration, notetakers, and priority class scheduling for students with psychological disabilities. DSD can also provide the student with letters to give to professors which verify the condition and discuss possible accommodations. Ball State's Counseling Center offers a wide range of counseling services to Ball State students.

I have a learning disability (or ADD/ADHD), but I have not been tested for it since I was in elementary school. Will I need to be re-tested to receive accommodations at Ball State?
DSD needs to have documentation that assesses the student's current level of functioning. So, most likely you will need to be re-tested.

Does Ball State pay for evaluations or re-evaluations of disability?
No. It is the student's responsibility to provide verification of disability to Ball State and to pay for evaluations or re-evaluations of disability. However, DSD has suggestions on how to get tested for a disability.

Does Ball State have a specialized program for students with disabilities?
No, degree requirements are the same for everybody, but Ball State does offer a wide range of services for students with disabilities. DSD can provide academic accommodations such as extra time on exams and an alternate testing location. The Learning Center offers free tutoring for all core classes at Ball State as well as study skills tutoring and workshops. The Adaptive Computer Technology (ACT) lab has several software and hardware programs designed specifically for students with disabilities. Other support services such as Academic Advising, career advice and counseling through the Career Center Home Page , and personal counseling through the Counseling Center are also available to students.

Due to the nature of my disability, I feel that I will need a single room. What is the process for receiving a single room?
To request a single room based upon disability, you must make a written request to DSD. You will need to have the appropriate licensed profession provide specific information about why your disability would prohibit you from having a roommate and what the results would be if you did not have a single room. DSD will meet with housing personnel and determine if the request warrants the accommodation of a single room. DSD will notify you in writing of the decision that is made.

I have a condition (such as asthma/allergies) that makes me need a room with air conditioning. How can I get a room with AC?
Ball State has a limited number of residence halls with central air, or you could bring an air conditioner for your room. This is coordinated with Housing and Residence Life. Notify Housing early of your needs.

How do I disclose my disability to my professors and ask them for accommodations?
If you choose to disclose to your professors and receive accommodations, DSD will provide you a letter to give to your professors. This letter will state that DSD has reviewed documentation relative to your disability and will list the appropriate accommodations. When giving this letter to your professor, you should plan to meet with him/her and discuss what will need to be done to receive these accommodations. It is your responsibility to initiate this process and to give the letter to your professors.

Where and how is accommodated testing conducted?
If DSD has received documentation of a disability that warrants testing accommodations, DSD will state that whatever the student and the professor arrange is fine, as long as it is fair to both the student and the professor. This information is included in the student's accommodation letter that the student gives the professor. Alternative testing arrangements and administration should be grounded in institutional standards of fairness and security. The key is that the test should be a reflection of the student's ability rather than disability. No explanation/interpretation of vocabulary or test questions is permitted beyond that which the entire class would receive. DSD will also inform the professor that the Learning Center has a test accommodation program that will facilitate the test accommodations for the student. It is the responsibility of the student and the professor to make the arrangements with the Learning Center staff.

Because of the nature of my disability I may miss some classes. What should I do?
If the student requests it, DSD will provide the student with a letter to give to professors explaining that because of the student's disability and medication the student may miss an occasional class. This letter asks for some flexibility in attendance policy. However, this does not mean that the student can have unlimited absences. If the student misses too many classes, the student may need to seek a medical withdrawal from the Ombudsperson.

Does Ball State offer any services for students who have a temporary medical condition (such as a broken leg)?
DSD can provide a student with a temporary medical condition a variety of services, including keys to elevators in buildings which are accessed only by a key, permission to ride the on-campus shuttle that picks up students anywhere on campus and delivers them anywhere else on campus, or test accommodations if unable to write. To learn more about how to obtain a temporary disability parking tag, visit Parking Services Home. 

What can I do if I feel that I have been discriminated against because of disability at Ball State?
Ball State's University Compliance office investigates all complaints of discrimination at the University. Contact this office (AD 335) should you feel that you have been discriminated against based upon disability. Or, you may contact the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) in the U.S. Department of Education. OCR is responsible for enforcing Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act.