Frequently Asked Questions
Answers for Students
- What is a disability?
- Is there a separate admissions process for students with disabilities? And, if I send information about my disability to the Admissions Office, will I automatically be registered with the Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) office?
- What does Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) mean by the term "documentation"?
- Where can I find information about the documentation I am required to provide in order to receive services?
- Will an individualized Education Plan (IEP) or 504 Plan from high school provide sufficient documentation of a disability?
- Where can I find information about accommodations and services for students with disabilities?
- Are special housing accommodations available for students with disabilities?
- I have a mobility impairment. What types of services are available?
- I have sustained an injury and have a temporary medical disability. Am I eligible to receive services from Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD)?
- Do psychological conditions (clinical depression, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorders, etc.) qualify as a disability for services and accommodations?
- Where can I get a Testing Reservation Form, and how do testing accommodations work?
- How can I get one-on-one help with study skills, time management, using accommodations, and other academic issues?
- I think I might have a disability. What should I do?
If you have questions that were not addressed at this site, please send these questions to ssd@vt.edu.
Q: What is a disability?
A: The term "disability" is defined by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, and the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments of 2009 as physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, a record of such an impairment, or being regarded as having such an impairment.
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Q: Is there a separate admissions process for students with disabilities? And, if I send information about my disability to the Admissions Office, will I automatically be registered with the Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) office?
A: No, the admissions criteria are the same for all students regardless of a disability. During the university application process, students are not asked about disabilities; but if a student feels disclosing a disability would help explain certain situations, the student can address these issues in the application's optional essay. Disclosing a disability to the Admissions Office DOES NOT register a student with the SSD office. Disability documentation should ONLY be sent to the SSD office.
Q: What does Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) mean by the term "documentation"?
Relevant and current documentation is needed to verify the existence of a disability and to determine appropriate accommodations based on the functional impact of the disability related to academic courses, testing methods, program requirements, etc. Please refer to SSD's Documentation Guidelines for specific information.
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Q: Where can I find information about the documentation I am required to provide in order to receive services?
A: See the Services for Students with Disabilities'(SSD) About Your Required Documentation page which is also linked from the SSD Students page.
Q: Will an individualized Education Plan (IEP) or 504 Plan from high school provide sufficient documentation of a disability?
A: No. The IEP and 504 Plan from high school provide valuable information regarding a history of previous accommodations. To receive accommodations through Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) at Virginia Tech, a student must provide documentation of the disability from a licensed professional. Find more information about documentation of a disability on SSD's Documentation Guidelines page.
Q: Where can I find information about accommodations and services for students with disabilities?
A: Accommodations are granted on a case-by-case basis. The Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) staff determines the appropriate accommodations based on the documentation results and a personal interview with the student. Information can be found at the Accommodation Descriptions page which is inked from our Students page. Also note the information about Accommodation Letters contained on our Instructions for Using Accommodation Letters page.
Q: Are special housing accommodations available for students with disabilities?
A: Special housing accommodations are determined on case-by-case basis. For more information about this topic, see the Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) Special Housing page. Please note the specific deadlines to apply.
Q: I have a mobility impairment. What types of services are available?
A: Accommodations and services are determined by an individual's needs. Classroom accessibility, transportation, parking, and emergency evacuation issues need to be addressed prior to the start of each semester through the Services with Disabilities Office (SSD) office. Please contact the SSD office to arrange a meeting.
Q: I have sustained an injury and have a temporary medical disability. Am I eligible to receive services from Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD)?
A: Although a temporary disability is not covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act, the SSD office will work with the student for referrals on campus resources and services. Accommodations and services will be determined on a case-by-case basis.
Q: Do psychological conditions (clinical depression, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorders, etc.) qualify as a disability for services and accommodations?
A: Many psychological conditions do qualify as a disability and may qualify you for accommodations and services. Based on documentation submitted, accommodations and services will be determined on a case-by-case basis.
Q: Where can I get a Testing Reservation Form, and how do testing accommodations work?
A: Information about testing accommodations can be found on the Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) Testing Accommodations page. Please read all of the information carefully, especially the link to the Testing Accommodations Rules and Procedures page. You will then be ready to download the Testing Reservation Form linked from those pages.
Q: How can I get one-on-one help with study skills, time management, using accommodations, and other academic issues?
A: Academic Coaching is a service offered to eligible students who are registered with the Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) office. Academic Coaching is available to help students in many areas related to academics, including but not limited to: time management, study schedules, communicating with professors, managing projects, getting organized, using accommodations, improving test grades, and dealing with stress. For more detailed information, including how to make an appointment, see SSD's Academic Coaching page. Other campus resources include: Center for Academic Enrichment and Excellence, Cook Counseling Center, and the Writing Center.
Q: I think I might have a disability. What should I do?
A: Students who are struggling academically and have tried other resources on campus, such as tutoring and meeting with the professor and yet are still struggling, should make an appointment with the Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) office for a confidential consultation.
If you have questions that were not addressed at this site, please send these questions to ssd@vt.edu.
Last updated: Thursday, 23-Jul-2009 15:07:54 EDT