Accessibility Services

Welcome to Accessibility Services!

Mid-State's Accessibility Services office provides academic accommodations to students with disabilities. This includes students with learning, sensory, emotional, or physical disabilities. We are here to ensure all students have equal access to higher education.

The Accessibility Services coordinator will meet with each student individually to determine reasonable and appropriate accommodations. Students who qualify for services receive the resources they need to fully participate in all aspects of learning.

Accessibility Services works closely with of the Student Services team at Mid-State to support students in reaching their career goals. This team includes Advising, Counseling, Career Services, and the Academic Learning Center.

Request Accommodations

Important Notes on Timing:

• Request accommodations at least two weeks before you wish to implement accommodations. The Accessibility Services Office can get busy. This allows us to process your request in time to meet your needs.
• You can request accommodations any time during the semester.  
• Accommodations begin on the day they are developed and implemented. In other words, any coursework completed before that time will not be included in the accommodations. (Previous exams cannot be retaken, etc.)
   

STEP 1: Schedule Appointment with Accessibility Services Coordinator

Begin the accommodations process by doing one of the following:

• Call 715.422.5452 to schedule an appointment
• Stop by a Student Services and Information Center
• Schedule an appointment online
   

STEP 2: Obtain Documentation

To qualify for academic accommodations, you must submit documentation from a qualified professional with credentials appropriate to the diagnosis.  You can bring the documentation to the appointment, or you can email, mail or FAX it to the Accessibility Services Coordinator.

Appropriate documentation may include at least one of the following:

• Medical records from a specialist who diagnosed the physical/medical disability
• Evaluation report/IEP from your high school
• Letter from mental health counselor/psychiatrist.

Documentation must include all of the following:

• Diagnosis
• Description of the diagnostic criteria and/or diagnostic test used (scores must be included)
• Treatments, medications, and/or assistive devices/services currently prescribed or used
• A description of expected progression or stability of the impact of the disability over time.

Documentation must be on agency/clinic letterhead, with the credentials of the diagnosing professional listed.

Need more information about documentation?

• If you want information on how to find out if you have a learning disability or ADD/ADHD, contact Accessibility Services.
• If you need information on how to obtain your documentation from your provider, you can discuss this with the Accessibility Services coordinator during your appointment.

STEP 3: Attend Appointment

At the appointment, expect to discuss your disability and how it affects you, and how it may interfere with your performance in your classes. Your documentation will also be reviewed as well as course expectations. Your accommodation plan will be emailed to you after the appointment. 

STEP 4:  Send Your Accommodation Plan to Your Instructors

Your accommodation plan is valid for the fall, spring, and summer semester.  You will need to email a copy of your accommodation plan to your instructors each semester.

STEP 5:  Schedule Testing Accommodations

If separate testing is one of your accommodations, you will need to reserve a reserve a room by completing the Test Accommodation Request Form.

Appeal Procedure

If you are denied accommodations or disagree with decisions about services or accommodations, or that you have been discriminated against in any way, contact:

Stephanie Bender, Dean of Student Services
715.422.5628

Additional Resources

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

Wisconsin Department of Health Services

• Blind/Visually Impaired
• Deaf/Hard of Hearing
• Disabilities and Impairments
• WI Department of Veterans Affairs
• WI Division of Vocational Rehabilitation
• WI State Transition Initiative
• WI Technical College System-Disability Resources

FAQs

What is considered a disability?

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.

What are common types of accommodations?

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.

What if I do not want to use my accommodations for all my classes?

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.

Do I need to make a new request for accommodations each semester?

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.

What if I want to change my accommodations?

Schedule an appointment with the Accessibility Services coordinator to discuss. Additional documentation may be needed.

Is there tutoring for students with disabilities?

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.

How do I get an Interpreter for the Deaf? 

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.

Can I get audiobooks instead of paper copies?

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.