One Stop Index for Disability Support Services  Contact/authored by: ann.dorman@vcsu.edu Disability Support Services Index: Meet with the Disability Support Services Coordinator Report a facility access issue Request alternative access textbooks through Bookshare Request Disability Support Services Request an Emotional Support Animal Viking Learning Commons Tutoring Video About Disability Support Services Student Support Resource Hub Report a Facilities Issue- Ex. Auto door button not working: Ann Dorman Disability Support Services & Testing Coordinator ann.dorman@vcsu.edu

The North Dakota Colleges and Universities Disability Services use documentation of disability to: 1. Establish whether an individual is a person with a disability. 2. Provide a rationale for identifying and implementing reasonable accommodations.  Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 define disability as "a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more of the major life activities." Major life activities include, but are not limited to, caring for oneself, performing manual tasks, walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing, learning, working, sitting, standing, lifting, reaching, sleeping, and mental/emotional processes such as thinking, concentrating, and interacting with others.  The ADA also protects individuals from discrimination if they have a record of such impairments or if they are regarded as having such impairments. Formal evaluation procedures, clinical narratives, and the individual's self-report will be used to determine appropriate and reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities. The approved accommodations and strategies must logically relate to the functional limitations described in the documentation. VCSU has incorporated the Association of Higher Education and Disability's (AHEAD) (2004) seven essential elements of quality documentation into our criteria for documentation. Disability Documentation should Include: 1. A clear diagnostic statement that describes how the condition was diagnosed, information on the functional impact, and details on the progression or prognosis of the condition. Dates of the original and current diagnostic evaluations need to be included.  2. A description of the diagnostic methodology, criteria, evaluation methods, procedures, tests used, dates administered, clinical narrative, observations, and specific results that are congruent with the particular disability. **Documentation for learning disabilities must include test scores and interpretation of aptitude, achievement, and, when possible, information processing. Tests used should be current and appropriate for assessing adolescents and adults.  3. A description of the current functional limitations and how those limitations affect the student in a major life activity. A "functional limitation" is defined as an adverse effect on a major life activity caused by the disability. Functional limitations should be described in terms of how severely the activity is affected by the disability; the frequency with which the activity is affected and how pervasive the disability is in the performance of the major life activity.  4. A description of current and past accommodations, services and/or medications and their effectiveness in relation to the functional impact of the disability. Information about any significant side effects from current treatment or medication and its effect on physical, perceptual, behavioral, and cognitive performance is helpful.  5. A description of the expected progression or stability of the disability including the expected changes over time, information on the cyclical or episodic nature of the disability and any known suspected environmental triggers.  6. The credentials of the evaluator/provider that are relevant to the diagnosed disability. The professional should be licensed or otherwise properly credentialed, have appropriate and comprehensive training, relevant experience, and have no personal relationship with the individual being evaluated or diagnosed.  Although not required, professionals are invited to make recommendations for accommodations, adaptive devices, assistive services, compensatory strategies, and/or support services that are logically related to the functional limitation. College disability services offices, however, are not under any obligation to provide or adopt recommendations made by outside entities. Ann Dorman Disability Support Services & Testing Coordinator ann.dorman@vcsu.edu

Under US Copyright law, accessible files (also known as alternative format), provided to the student can be used solely for eligible student’s own educational purposes and cannot be copied, shared, or distributed for use by others.  The receipt of any alternative course materials from VCSU Disability Support Services is a declaration by the student that: 1. The student qualifies as having a disability that is certified by Disability Support Services at Valley City State University, and that disability requires the use of these alternative course materials. 2. The student is currently registered at the Valley City State University or registered at a participating collaborative institution at the time of the student’s request for text in alternative formats. 3. The student will not copy, reproduce or share any of the specialized formatted texts, nor allow anyone else to do so. 4. The student already possesses the course materials they are requesting in an alternative format, and will provide proof of such possession if required to do so by Disability Support Services on behalf of the copyright holder.” Ann Dorman Disability Support Services & Testing Coordinator ann.dorman@vcsu.edu

We welcome your application for services and will review information provided as an initial step in the process of determining eligibility. Appropriate documentation from a qualifying professional is needed to support your request to open a file with Disability Support Services. We welcome any questions you may have about the application process.  Steps to open a file with Disability Support Services: Complete the application through our Viking Accessibility Portal.  NOTE - You will be prompted to log in with your Campus Connection username. After your application is submitted, you will receive an email with confirmation. The email will also contain a link for you to upload your documentation. Please review the Guidelines for Documentation. Contact: Ann Dorman Disability Support Services & Testing Coordinator ann.dorman@vcsu.edu

At VCSU, our student living facilities are designed to extend your educational experience beyond the classroom. Our learning and residential environments offer a rich mix of educational, cultural, social, and recreational activities. Residence Life provides a variety of living options to meet almost any need you might have. If you need accommodations in Residence Life due to a disability, our Disability Support Services (DSS) in the Learning Commons is here to help. We'll work with you to determine if you have a condition that qualifies as a disability and if it requires reasonable accommodations in your housing. Providing documentation will help us understand how your disability affects your living situation and what accommodations might be necessary. Steps to Request Residence Life Accommodations Please note: Residence Life Accommodations can take up to 60 days after a request is made and documentation is submitted. Complete the Application: Fill out the Residence Life Accommodations Application through the Viking Accessibility Portal. Provide Documentation: Submit documentation from your healthcare provider. Review of Request: Your request will be reviewed by the Student Academic Affairs Staff. Initial Meeting: Schedule an appointment to meet with one of our learning specialists. Determination Made: The Student Academic Affairs Staff will make a decision on your request. Notification of Determination: You will receive an electronic notification of the decision within 60 days of submitting your application and documentation. If your request is approved, Residence Life staff will contact you with the next steps. If denied, you can reapply if your information was incomplete or appeal the decision by following our complaint procedure. For more information, please visit the VCSU Housing Application page.  Emotional Support Animal Requests Please note that documentation from online verification services or providers without an ongoing therapeutic relationship with you will likely not be accepted. Also, there is no state or federal requirement for registering an emotional support animal. Registration with any entity does not prove eligibility or help in getting your request approved. For more detailed information on requesting an emotional support animal, check out our Emotional Support Pet Policy at VCSU. If you have any questions or need further assistance, don't hesitate to reach out to us. We're here to support you! Contact: Ann Dorman Disability Support Services & Testing Coordinator ann.dorman@vcsu.edu

Valley City State University provides reasonable accommodations, promotes an inclusive campus environment, and encourages student independence for our students with documented disabilities. We align our practices with federal law to help our students reach their goals no matter the obstacle. Examples of accommodations include: Testing in a distraction-free environment Extended time on testing and major assignments Audio or alternative texts Students who have met eligibility requirements (IEP, 504) in high school are encouraged to self-identify for Disability Support Services as soon as they get to campus. The process is simple, and students can choose to utilize services as needed throughout their time at VCSU. Students who did not meet disability eligibility requirements in high school may still qualify for accommodations under some circumstances. Student Support Location: Viking Learning Commons McFarland 320 Ann Dorman Disability Support Services & Testing Coordinator ann.dorman@vcsu.edu Melissa Remick Learning Services Specialist melissa.remick@vcsu.edu Debbie Dramstad Web Accessibility and Application Specialist debra.dramstad@vcsu.edu LINKS: Applying for Academic Accommodations Application for Residence Life Accommodations Student Support Resource Hub

Assistive technology (AT) is a game-changer for students. These tools aren't just for those with disabilities; they can boost anyone's learning experience. Think of AT as your secret weapon for tackling school challenges head-on. What is assistive technology? AT is any device, software, or service that helps you learn, study, and complete tasks more easily. It's like having a personal toolkit for success. How can assistive technology help college students? Boost your learning: Convert textbooks into audiobooks with text-to-speech, visualize complex concepts with mind maps, or practice pronunciation with speech-to-text. Improve efficiency: Dictate notes, write essays faster, or navigate online content effortlessly with speech-to-text and screen readers. Access information: Tailor your learning style with tools like screen magnifiers or alternative keyboards. Popular assistive technologies: Text-to-speech software: Listen to your textbooks or articles. Speech-to-text software: Dictate notes, essays, or even code. Screen readers: Access digital content through audio output. Note-taking apps: Organize your thoughts and research. Remember: Experiment with different tools to find what works best for you. Many AT options are free or low-cost. Bonus Tip: Don't be afraid to ask for help! The Learning Commons staff can provide guidance and support in finding the right assistive technology for you. Disclaimer: This list provides information about potential support apps for college students. It's crucial to use these tools ethically and responsibly. We cannot guarantee the accuracy, reliability, or suitability of the information or apps listed. Use them at your own risk. Academic Integrity: Always prioritize original work. Using apps to complete assignments without understanding the material can negatively impact your learning. Please get in touch with Debbie Dramstad in Technology Services for more information on supportive apps and assistive technologies. VCSU Technology Services: Location: Rhoades 104E Debbie Dramstad Web Accessibility and Applications Specialist debra.dramstad@vcsu.edu Resources: Google AI. (2024). Gemini. [Large language model]. https://gemini.google.com/ OpenAI. (2024). ChatGPT-4 (Mar 14 version). [Large language model]. https://chat.openai.com/chat