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Disability support services

Kansas State University is dedicated to providing equal opportunity and access for every student. The staff of the Academic Achievement Center (AAC) provide a broad range of supportive services in an effort to ensure that the individual needs of each student are met. In addition, the staff functions as an advocate for students with disabilities on the K-State-Salina campus. Through active involvement with all areas of the University, the office is able to assist students with disabilities and to provide help with decisions affecting their academics.

DISABILITY DOCUMENTATION

To be eligible for academic accommodations, students must present documentation of a disability to the Academic Achievement Center, Tullis 103, 785.826.2608.

Documentation of a Physical Disability
Students with physical disabilities are asked to provide documentation by an appropriate, qualified professional.

Documentation of a Learning Disability
Incoming students with learning disabilities who were identified in a public school may have records of their disability sent to the Academic Achievement Center. Documentation must be current, preferably within the past three years. This information should include a complete record of all the testing administered by school professionals.
A signed statement from an appropriate professional serves to verify that a student has a disability. However, more specific information about the student's academic strengths and weaknesses will help our staff determine what accommodations are best suited to each student's needs.

Evaluations conducted by a licensed clinical psychologist or other qualified specialist may also be submitted to the Academic Achievement Center as documentation.

Documentation of an Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
For consideration of reasonable and appropriate accommodations, students requesting services must provide current (less than three years old) documentation of the condition. Documentation should be provided by a qualified professional (e.g., clinical psychologist or medical doctor.)

Documentation should provide information regarding the onset, longevity and severity of the symptoms, as well as specifics describing the past and present effects of AD/HD on educational functioning. Therefore, individualized assessments of current cognitive processing and educational achievement are recommended. Appropriate services will be determined from the specific information provided. Relevant test scores may include Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scales, Woodcock-Johnson Achievement Test, and Copeland Symptom Checklist for Adult ADD.

Documentation of Psychiatric/Psychological Disabilities
A diagnosis by a licensed mental health professional including licensed clinical social workers (LCSW), licensed professional counselors (LPC), psychologists, psychiatrists or neurologists is required. The diagnostician should be an impartial individual who is not a family member of the student.

Students without Documentation
Some students contact our office who have not been tested for a learning disability and/or attention deficit disorder, but suspect that they may have one. This is more common for nontraditional, returning students. Unfortunately, Kansas State University does not have the resources to provide the necessary testing. We can, however, refer students to a licensed psychologist who is qualified to conduct a diagnostic evaluation. The cost of such an evaluation ranges between $350.00 and $800.00. Insurance companies sometimes pay for testing, but often they do not. Students who are unable to pay for an evaluation and who suspect that they have a learning disability or an attention deficit disorder should contact the Academic Achievement Center. In some cases, local service agencies can provide financial help to students.

DISABILITY ACCOMMODATIONS

A broad range of services and accommodations are provided to meet the individual needs of each student with a disability.

Services include, but are not limited to:

Test Taking Accommodations
Extended time, quiet rooms, enlarged tests, taped tests, and use of a word processor are available for students who use test-taking accommodations. Scribes and readers are also available. Students must demonstrate a specific need for test-taking accommodations. For most students who request extended time, time and a half should be a sufficient amount of time in which to complete an exam. Any student who feels this is not sufficient is asked to present evidence to demonstrate the need for additional time. Students who are eligible for test-taking accommodations are responsible for informing the Academic Achievement Center about upcoming tests.

Note Takers
Note takers are available for students with documented disabilities. Instructors will be notified by the Academic Achievement Center when a student is requesting a note taker. Instructors will use request forms provided by our office to recruit volunteer note takers for that class. Names of students with disabilities are not used when instructors make the request. Volunteers can use duplicating paper provided free by the Academic Achievement Center, or arrangements can be made to copy notes for free.

Letters to Instructors
Upon your request, we will write letters to your instructors verifying your disability and outlining specific recommendations for the accommodations you request. Please provide your class schedule at the beginning of the semester so that we can address your letters. We ask that you deliver these letters to your instructors yourself; that enables you to introduce yourself and to discuss any questions your instructor might have about your disability. In addition, it gives you an opportunity to look over the letters and request changes or additions, if necessary. It is very important that you follow through with this process, since we cannot request any accommodations from your instructors until they have been formally notified of your disability.

Tape-recorded Lectures
The AAC office may request permission from instructors to allow students to tape record lectures. Variable-speed recorders are recommended, since they allow the student to listen selectively for information they may have missed in class and "skip over" less important information.

Taped Textbooks
Students with severe reading disabilities or physical disabilities who wish to use taped texts are encouraged to enroll in Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic (RFB&D). RFBD provides textbooks on tape for anyone who has a serious, documented reading disability. There is a one-time application fee of $50.00 and a yearly charge of $25.00. Applications are available in the DSS office or from RFB&D by calling their toll free number at 1-800-221-4792/3. Because they operate on Eastern Standard Time, call between 9:30 a.m. and 3:45 p.m. our time. Staff will assist students with the process of applying for services from RFB&D.