Office for Disability Services
FAQ's for Prospective Students
Does Ohio University provide services for students with disabilities?
Yes, accommodations and services are provided for students with documented disabilities to provide equal access to educational programs and services in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (1990) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Accommodations (e.g. testing accommodations) are determined on an individual basis using disability documentation and in consultation with the student.
Is there a separate admissions procedure for students with disabilities?
No, the admissions process and criteria are the same for all students applying to Ohio University. The Admissions counselors will review all applications without regard to disability status.
Should I send my disability documentation to the Admissions office?
No, students who want to use Disability Services at Ohio University must submit documentation directly to Disability Services/Office for Institutional Equity, 101 Crewson House, Athens, Ohio 45701.
What documentation is required to receive disability services?
There are established guidelines for each disability category. Please refer to the Disability Services website at www.ohio.edu/equity/disabilityservices or call the Disability Services office at 740-593-2620 (V) 740-593-0193 (TTY) for more information about documentation guidelines.
Eligibility guidelines may differ from your high school. An Individualized Education Plan or 504 Plan alone is generally not sufficient documentation.
When should I give my documentation to the Disability Services office?
In order to ensure that accommodations requests can be met, students are encouraged to submit documentation at least five months in advance of beginning classes.
What happens after my disability documentation is approved?
Disability Services staff will send written confirmation that documentation has been approved. Newly registered students must meet with a Disability Services representative to make accommodation requests and discuss accommodation procedures.
Are tutoring services available?
Students registered with Disability Services are eligible for four hours of free peer tutoring per course/per week from the Academic Advancement Center (when available). Writing tutors are available at no cost for all students in the Writing Center in the Alden Library. Supplemental Instruction is group tutoring provided for many high-risk classes.
Is there a fee for Disability Services?
No, the provision of reasonable accommodations is mandatory for federally funded institutions as required under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act (1990).
What kind of services will I be eligible for?
Accommodations frequently used by students with disabilities are priority registration, extended time for test taking, a quiet location for test taking, materials in alternate formats, housing accommodations, and assistive listening devices. Appropriate reasonable accommodations are determined on an individual basis using disability documentation.
Is there financial aid or scholarships specifically for disabled students?
The purpose of financial aid is to help students and families meet educational expenses that cannot be met through their own resources. Financial aid can be either need-based or non-need-based. The results of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) along with the cost-of-education will determine whether or not a student has financial need. Costs related to disabling conditions may affect your financial need but having a disability does not qualify a student automatically for financial aid. Students with disabilities are eligible for all of the Ohio University merit-based scholarships. Priority consideration is given to applications received before February 1.
The Rehabilitation Services Commission (RHC) is a state agency that provides financial and advocacy support for persons with disabilities for the purpose of gaining full employment. For information about your local RHC office, call 1-800-282-4536 voice/TTY.
What other services are available for students with disabilities?
Many services are available on campus that assists students with disabilities, as found on our Student Services page. The list below is just an example of some of the services available.
Counseling and Psychological Services provides a variety of counseling services including a maximum of 13 individual counseling sessions per academic year.
Shostak Adaptive Equipment Room in the Alden Library is equipped with Jaws, Openbook, Kurzweil 3000, Texthelp, Zoomtext, a Braille printer, Dragon Dictate and a CCTV.
CATCAB - provides transportation for people with temporary and permanent disabilities from Monday - Friday from 7:45 a.m.-7:30 p.m.
