Student Life Support & Services Access Services

Access Services

Through Access Services, students with disabilities can get academic accommodations so that they have equal access and opportunity to succeed in their degree programs.

Access Services Student Dashboard

Access Services serves students by providing academic accommodations for students who present qualifying documentation.

Any enrolled WSU student with a permanent documented disability can use the accommodations provided by Access Services. It doesn’t matter if you are taking classes on the Winona campus, Rochester campus, or online– we can help meet your academic needs.

Students with a temporary condition such as hospitalization, broken leg, or extended illness may find the Temporary Condition Checklist (PDF) helpful as they navigate their academic success during these situations.

Access Services also offers support resources for faculty as they provide accommodations for students.

What is a Disability?

A disability is defined according to state and federal legislation as a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities.

These activities include the ability to write, learn, read, think, memorize, hear, see, talk, or walk.

While some disabilities are apparent or “visible”, most of the students who receive services from Access Services have hidden or “invisible” disabilities.

Students walk down a sidewalk in front of Phelps Hall on WSU campus.

Some examples of disabilities include learning disabilities, ADHD, depression, anxiety, loss of mobility, hearing loss, and low vision.

Documentation for Disabilities

A disability must be properly documented to qualify academic accommodations. If you think you have a disability, it’s important to get officially assessed and diagnosed by a healthcare professional.

These local resources (PDF) may be helpful in being diagnosed with a learning disability or ADHD.

What are Academic Accommodations?

An academic accommodation is a modification made to a course, program, job, activity, or facility that eliminates or minimizes disability-related barriers to allow for equal access.

A professor writes on a whiteboard during a class lecture.

For an accommodation to be considered reasonable, it must not:

It must not compromise essential requirements of a course or program
It must not cause an undue administrative or financial hardship
It must not compromise safety to you or others
It must not fundamentally alter a course or program

Common academic accommodations include:

Exam modifications like extended time on exams, low-distraction test locations, and exams in auditory format
Texts in alternate format
Sign language interpreters
Note-taking technology
Accessible classrooms and labs
Disability advising

Many of these academic resources are offered at no charge to qualified students.

Download the Accommodations for Students with Disabilities brochure (PDF).

Your right to an education without limitation or discrimination due to a disability is protected by law in Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. You also have certain responsibilities to communicate and participate with WSU to abide by this law.

Download the Rights & Responsibilities of Students with Disabilities brochure (PDF).

To receive necessary reasonable accommodations and support services to allow equal access to WSU
To non-discrimination
To participate in, and benefit from courses, programs, services and activities offered through WSU
To be treated by faculty and staff with dignity and respect
To have discussions of your disability kept in confidence until permission of disclosure is given
To report a grievance to Access Services if you feel that your disability-related needs are not being met

To identify yourself as an individual with a disability when seeking an accommodation
To provide current documentation from an appropriate professional source that verifies the nature of the disability, functional limitations, and the need for specific accommodations
To follow specific procedures for obtaining reasonable and appropriate accommodations including initiating certain services each semester in a timely manner
To meet WSU’s qualifications including essential technical, academic, and institutional standards
Determine your classes’ requirements and possible needed accommodations
Request accommodations as far in advance as possible
To follow the WSU Academic and Conduct Standards as required of all students
Notify Access Services of any schedule changes after initial registration if they affect your accommodations

Looking for support with a disability? Not sure what to do next?
Reach out to Access Services, and we’ll help you figure out how to be successful at WSU.

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