Disability Services The purpose of the Office of Student Disability Services is to provide assistance and accommodations to students with disabilities. West Texas A&M University is committed to providing all students with equal access to a quality education. In addition to serving as an advocate for students with disabilities, the office also works very closely with faculty and staff members in order to monitor students' progress and encourage a positive educational experience.
Documentation Criteria
How to Apply
Services Provided
Student Grievance Procedure
Syllabus ADA Statement In order to be provided accommodations through the SDS office, students must provide documentation of their particular disability. The documentation must be current (within the last three to five years) and must include the following: - A specific diagnosis
- The medical and educational history related to the disability
- The severity of the disability
- Student’s current medications or treatment of the disability
- The functional limitations as a result of the disability
- The recommended academic accommodations
- For learning disabilities, the documentation must include the diagnostician’s assessment of aptitude test scores and information processing test scores. The assessment must state that the student qualifies as having a learning disability. The report should include learning accommodation recommendations from a licensed diagnostician, educational psychologist or psychiatrist.
- Contact SDS and provide documentation of disability
- SDS must be contacted if accommodations are needed if the student is on campus, online, or at a satellite campus (Amarillo)
- If the student is online or at a satellite campus, the process will be done over the phone, fax, or email
- With proper documentation, accommodations are discussed and approved
- Take Accommodation Request Form to professors for signatures (each semester)
- Return Accommodation Request Form to SDS
- SDS and faculty provide accommodations
Accommodations are provided based on each individual’s disability.
Services/accommodations for students with learning disabilities may include:
- Education about your learning disability
- Individual consultation to enhance study skills
- Limited diagnostic testing and/or referral
- Arrangements for note-takers
- Oral testing
- Extended time on tests
- Referrals for tutoring
- Textbooks on tape
- Reduced-distraction environment for testing
Services for students with physical/mobility disabilities may include:
- Physical arrangements to ensure accessibility
- Alternate testing site
- Extended time on tests with oral testing and scribe services available
- Arrangements for note-takers or tape recorders in class
- Free copies made of notes
- Access to enhanced computer software programs
- Referrals for tutors
Services for students with psychological or chronic diseases may include:
- Professional referral
- Alternate testing site
- Arrangements for note-takers or tape recorders n class
- Extended time on tests with oral testing and scribe services available
Students with disabilities needing accommodations must request them through the coordinator of student disability services (SDS). Any approved accommodations will be based on documentation demonstrating eligibility under state and federal regulations. If a student disagrees with accommodation decisions made by SDS, he/she may discuss the concern with the coordinator of SDS. Students must demonstrate that they have made a good-faith effort to resolve the complaint with the parties involved. If the complaint is still not resolved satisfactorily, the student may visit with the senior director for life services. The senior director may take up to five (5) working days to determine an appropriate resolution. During this process, informal discussions will take place with all parties involved in an attempt to resolve the complaint. If no informal satisfactory resolution is determined within five (5) working days, the student may request the complaint be referred to the Disabilities Accommodations Appeals Committee. This request must be in writing to the vice president for student affairs and must contain all reasons for the appeal. This committee will consist of the following or designated replacements. Vice President for Student Affairs, Chairperson Assistant to the Vice President for Academic Affairs/Provost Associate Vice President for Physical Facilities Director of Student Medical Services Faculty (from special education or other discipline with expertise in disability issues) President of Faculty Senate Student (representative of special populations) Student (at large) Recommendations of the Accommodations Appeals Committee will be forwarded to the President for final approval and implementation. The following statement can be used on any WTAMU syllabus: West Texas A&M University seeks to provide reasonable accommodations for all qualified persons with disabilities. This University will adhere to all applicable federal, state and local laws, regulations and guidelines with respect to providing reasonable accommodations as required to afford equal educational opportunity. It is the student's responsibility to register with Student Disability Services (SDS) and to contact faculty members in a timely fashion to arrange for suitable accommodations. The SDS Office is located in the Student Success Center, CC 106 and their phone number is 806-651-2335. | 
