Accessibility Services
Support for Your Learning Journey
Accessibility Services is here to support your learning and success. We provide academic accommodations for students with learning, sensory, emotional, and physical disabilities.
You’ll work one-on-one with our team to identify reasonable accommodations and access the support you need. We collaborate with Advising, Counseling, Career Services, and the Academic Learning Center to help you reach your academic and career goals.
Requesting Accommodations
We encourage you to start the process early so we can best support you when classes begin.
Important timing notes:
- Request accommodations at least two weeks before you plan to use them.
- Requests can be submitted at any time during the semester.
- Accommodations begin once they are approved and in place. Work completed before that time cannot be adjusted.
Step 1: Complete the Accommodation Request Form
Complete the Accommodation Request Form and upload any supporting documentation. After submitting the form, you'll receive instructions on the confirmation screen to schedule an appointment with Accessibility Services.
Documentation from a qualified professional is required to determine eligibility for academic accommodations.
Examples of acceptable documentation:
- Medical records from a diagnosing specialist
- High school evaluation reports or an Individualized Education Program (IEP)
- A letter from a licensed mental health professional
Documentation should include:
- A clear diagnosis or description of the disability
- Information about diagnostic criteria or assessments used, including scores when applicable
- Current treatments, medications, or assistive supports
- The expected impact of the condition on academic activities
- The provider's professional credentials and letterhead
Need help with documentation?
- Contact Accessibility Services if you’re unsure what’s required
- Your coordinator can help you understand how to request records from a provider
Step 2: Attend Your Appointment
During your appointment, you'll discuss how your disability affects your learning and participation in academic activities. We'll review your documentation, discuss your needs, and determine reasonable accommodations. After the meeting, your accommodation plan will be emailed to you.
Step 3: Share Your Accommodation Plan
Your accommodation plan is valid for the fall, spring, and summer semesters within the academic year. To activate accommodations in a course, email your plan to your instructor at the beginning of each semester.
Step 4: Schedule Testing Accommodations (If Needed)
If your accommodation plan includes extended testing time or a reduced-distraction testing environment, reserve your testing space by completing the Test Accommodation Request Form.
Appeals Process
If you are denied accommodations, disagree with a decision, or believe you have experienced discrimination, please contact:
Stephanie Bender
Dean of Student Services
715-422-5628
Contact Accessibility Services
We’re here to help—schedule an appointment!
Sara Novitzke, Accessibility Services Coordinator
Adams, Marshfield, and Wisconsin Rapids Campuses
715-422-5353 or Contact or Schedule Online
Bruce Rathe, Accessibility Services Coordinator
Stevens Point Campus
715-422-5452 or Contact or Schedule Online
Deaf or Hard of Hearing
711 (Wisconsin Relay System)
Additional Resources
Looking for more? Explore these additional resources from outside Mid-State.
Specialized Resources
- Association on Higher Education and Disability (AHEAD)
- The Daily Motivator-from overwhelmed to empowered
- Exceptional Nurse
- The Job Accommodation Network
- Learning Disabilities
- NAMI of Portage and Wood County
- National Federation of the Blind
- National Organization of Nurses with Disabilities
- National Organization on Disabilities
- National Resource
- O*NET Online
- The Student Lounge
FAQs
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) defines a disability as a permanent physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities.
Accommodations may include but are not limited to:
- Extra time on tests
- Testing in a quiet room
- Audio books
- Use of assistive technology
Accommodations are individually determined based on the interview and documentation.
You can decide when you want to use your accommodations. You may not need them for every class. It is important to request accommodations ahead of time when you do decide to use them.
You need to update your accommodation plan every academic year:
- If your accommodations are approved in August (fall semester), you will need to update the plan again the following fall semester.
- If you are approved accommodations in January (spring semester), you will need to update your plan in the following fall semester.
Schedule an appointment with the Accessibility Services coordinator to discuss. Additional documentation may be needed.
Tutoring services are available to all Mid-State students. The Academic Learning Center can help you learn about the various types of tutoring available. Accessibility Services can help you with this, if needed.
You will need to meet with Accessibility Services coordinator at least one month prior to the start of the class. The coordinator will schedule the interpreters for you.
The Accessibility Services coordinator will discuss this process with you. Many of the books are available in electronic format. If there is a choice between purchasing a hard copy or an eBook, be sure to choose the eBook. If an eBook is not available, you can request an electronic copy. It is important to request accommodations as early as possible to allow time to obtain the electronic copy.