Office of Accessibility

Mission Statement:  The mission of the Office of Accessibility is to provide, to students with disabilities, accommodations and resources to ensure full access to all the programs and services of the University of South Dakota and to promote a welcoming and inclusive environment.

The purpose of the Office of Accessibility is to ensure, for students, University of South Dakota compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendment Act (ADAAA) of 2009, and other applicable federal and state laws, and provide disability expertise to the campus.

The Office of Accessibility recognizes that disability is an aspect of diversity and embraces the University of South Dakota's institutional values of diversity and inclusiveness, encouraging both by promoting education and awareness of disability and learning differences as essential pieces of a diverse cultural experience.

The Office of Accessibility endeavors – through collaboration, education, technical assistance, and collegiality – to assist the University of South Dakota administration, faculty, staff, and students in creating a universally accessible and inclusive campus for all people.

The Office of Accessibility is an integral part of the University of South Dakota, committed to ensuring students with disabilities experience an accessible campus. Disability Services provides support to students with disabilities to ensure full and equal access to the educational opportunities, programs, and activities USD offers through the provision of reasonable and appropriate accommodations.  Reasonable and appropriate accommodations do not fundamentally alter the nature of programs or lower academic and other essential performance standards.

A student is responsible for actively participating in the accommodation process by making timely and appropriate disclosures and requests.  Any delay in the process on the student’s part may result in limiting the ability of Office of Accessibility to provide reasonable accommodations.  The process includes:

• Self-Disclose Disability and Register – It is the student’s responsibility to identify as a person with a disability and register with Office of the Accessibility.  A student may self-disclose at any time; however, students are encouraged to self-disclose and register before classes begin. A student may contact Office of Accessibility via e-mail or phone to schedule a time to meet to self-disclose, register, and begin the interactive process of requesting accommodations.

• Provide Disability Documentation – A student must provide Office of Accessibility with documentation to support their request for accommodations.  Each student and each disability are unique; therefore, the type of documentation each student provides will be different.  However, all documentation must be current and relevant, address the current impact of the disability, and illustrate a connection between the disability and the requested accommodation.

• Request Accommodations – Accommodation requests are approved to assure full access to the educational opportunities, programs, and activities of USD.  Accommodations assure access by lessening or removing a barrier that may exist due to the student’s disability.  A student must request accommodations that are reasonable and appropriate in a college setting.

• Actively Communicate – A student must actively and continuously communicate with the Office of Accessibility and faculty to ensure the accommodations are effective.  Active communication also allows for accommodations to be adjusted as needed throughout the course of the semester.

If you are a student with a disability, please contact the Office of Accessibility as soon as possible if you want to request accommodations.  If you are a student and you suspect you may have a disability, contact the Office of Accessibility to discuss evaluation options via campus and community resources.

Reasonable and appropriate accommodations are provided to allow full and equal access to all the programs and services for students with disabilities. USD is not required to lower standards or academic requirements or make modifications that would fundamentally alter the service, program or activity.  Accommodations are tailored to the unique and individual needs of each student and to the academic requirements of each class.

Possible accommodations include the following:

• Alternate text format

• Sign language interpreters

• Live real-time captions

• Note taking (human and/or AI)

• Assistive technology/Adaptive Technology

• Distraction free location for exams

• Extended time for exams

• Referrals to other resources