Lang Wellness Center
Disability Support Services
Disability Support Services, located within Lang Wellness Center, facilitates an accessible educational experience for students who have disabilities and serves as a resource to all members of the campus community. At Rockford University, we are committed to providing an equitable academic and residential environment that supports student achievement. Differences in ability are valued as an integral component of a diverse community. Disability Support Services at Rockford University use the definitions of disability as stated in Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, and the ADA Amendments Act of 2008.
The steps you need to take to pursue accommodations are outlined below:
- Complete the Disability Support Services Application and return it to Lang Wellness Center. Application to follow this form.
- Provide documentation to support the request for accommodations (must be less than 3 years old).
- Documentation must include a diagnosis by a licensed/certified professional qualified to make such a diagnosis (e.g., school or clinical psychologist, physician, etc.).
- A school plan such as an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) or a 504 Plan may not be sufficient documentation but may be part of a more comprehensive assessment.
- If your assessments were completed prior to age 16, ask your high school to conduct/update an assessment prior to graduation or have an independent assessment done by a qualified professional to determine your current diagnosis, treatment, and recommendations for accommodations.
- If you do not have documentation, please consult with an independent provider for an assessment.
- Once you have collected your documentation, contact Lang Wellness Center to schedule a meeting with the Disability Support Services Coordinator. During this meeting:
- The student’s barriers and needs will be discussed and accommodations will be arranged within the guidelines of documentation provided.
- A release of information will be signed and information regarding your accommodations will be sent to your faculty. You will be asked to meet with each of your faculty to determine the best way to implement your accommodations within the parameters of each class.
- Students will be required to meet with the Disability Support Services Coordinator at the beginning of each subsequent semester for academic accommodations for that semester.
Please remember to complete your application and provide your documentation to Disability Support Services as soon as possible. This will help to insure your accommodations are in place at the beginning of the semester. For full information, please visit the DSS Handbook: https://www.rockford.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/DSS-Handbook.pdf
If you have any further questions, please contact Lang Wellness Center, our phone, email, and fax information is below.
Thank you,
Autumn Schaal, LPC, NCC
Personal Counselor and Disability Support Services Coordinator
Lang Wellness Center
phone 815-226-4083 fax 815-226-3335
HealthCenter@Rockford.edu