To be eligible for disability-related services, students must have a visible or documented disability as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA) of 2008, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Under the ADAAA and Section 504, a person has a disability if they have a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities such as performing manual tasks, walking, standing, seeing, speaking, hearing, sleeping, learning, reading, concentrating, thinking, communicating, or working.
Students who are seeking services at Penn State must self-disclose the need for academic accommodations, auxiliary aids, and/or services to Student Disability Resources.
To self-disclose, you must complete all the following steps:
Online Introduction
Complete a short Online Introductory Questionnaire to provide us with background information on your disability and how you have managed in the past.
Submit documentation
Review our Documentation Guidelines and submit appropriate documentation of disability to Student Disability Resources.
Schedule an intake appointment
Contact Amy James, disability services coordinator, at 814-898-7000 or [email protected] to schedule an appointment. This meeting will take about an hour and should not be scheduled during class time. It may be completed in-person, phone, or online.
Related Content
- Changing Campuses
Every Penn State campus has an office that provides services to students with disabilities so regardless of whether you only ever attend one campus or you attend more than one, we have you covered. - Parents' Role
Parents have a limited role as requesting and receiving academic accommodations requires the active participation of the student. - Rights and Responsibilities
The rights and responsibilities of students and Penn State are outlined for students seeking disability services. - Confidentiality and Release of Information
All information regarding a student is collected for the benefit of the student and is maintained confidentially as required or permitted by law.
For more information, contact Student Disability Resources.