Disability Centers In College

[Deleted member 30956]

Are they for officially, legally disabled only?

Another question: As a diagnosed, but not disabled - do I have a right to ask a teacher for class accomodations, like turning assignments in late?

 

[Friday]

If you've been officially diagnosed (and yes, college centers need a copy of that!), then you qualify under the disabilities act.

I've spent more than a bit of time around the disabilities center, cause I pitched in with the ADHD peeps here & there (I was a TA in 3 different departments). That said, I've never gotten neither my ADHD nor PTSD on file with the university. Quite frankly, there has been no need. I've always interfaced directly with the professors. After a couple of learning experiences (aka sucky quarters) I now use the first few days of class with a new professor to screen whether we'll get on or if I need to drop the class before dropping will penalize my funding or GPA. I also moderate the how many classes w/what kind of coursework to suit myself.

So can you work directly with the profs? Of course. :) They aren't legally required to do jack, though, without everything being on file with the university. So it pays to build relationships if you go this route.

 

[Deleted member 30956]

Fridayjones - perfect response! Awesome. Thanks

 

[Deleted member 30956]

Can someone encourage me to do this, please? I'm scared to do it. I'm expecting an email from my instructor, a reply to my email explaining that I'm behind my studies because I have PTSD. I haven't yet checked my email this morning. I'm too scared. Of shame, of failure, of humiliation.

 

[ChristinaK]

Go through your schools disability center. Simply contacting your instructors puts you at their mercy. Some may be kind, others not so kind. Every syllabus in my school is required to say that if you have a disability, register with the disability office. This way you get ultimate protection under the law. Otherwise, an instructor has the right to deny any extension requests and such. Also, by going through the disabilities center you are entitled to more accommodations such as the use of the testing center and extended time on all exams (to name a few).

 

[Deleted member 30956]

Go through your schools disability center. Simply contacting your instructors puts you at their mercy. Some may be k...

Hi ChristinaK. Thank you. I have some concerns:
I am not on disablity (SSRI). Would the disability center still honor my needs?
And also: the courses I'm taking are through Continuing Education department at a college (Bookkeeping). I wonder if the college's disability department would have any jurisdiction over a totally separate department.

 

[Deleted member 30956]

Never mind - I called them, and it seems that they may be able to help me!

 

[joeylittle]

Great job calling, @Salad - I know it can take a lot of confidence to do that, but you are definitely worth it :). Professors really rely on accessibility/disability departments to help us help the students who need accommodations. Keep those lines of communication open with your disability center.

 

[Deleted member 30956]

Thank you, dearly :) Have a nice morning joeylittle!

 

[lilymagnolia]

Hey Salad! I just wanted to chime in and say I'm using my school's Disability Center for the first time this semester. I normally work directly with professors. However, I had all new profs this semester and my symptoms have been intense the past few months, so I wasn't as comfortable approaching them this time.

The Disability Center only needed a letter from my therapist. From there, they contacted my professors for me to request certain accommodations (late assignments, leaving in the middle of class, absences without doctor's notes, getting to sit in a place where I don't feel trapped, etc.). They only shared what I wanted them to. From there, I felt more able to speak to my professors directly. I think having the Disability Center gave me more credibility and made my profs more inclined to work with me.

Also, kuddos for calling! I totally understand the shame/failure/humiliation fears, and I think it's awesome that you reached out despite those. I know just acting to help myself when I feel those things is a struggle, and I'm really encouraged by you.