How to Submit an Initial Request for Accommodations

In this video, you will learn how to submit an initial request for accommodations.

Visit our website and select "New Applicants".

Use your phone to scan the QR code or click "New Application."

If you have questions about documentation, click "Documentation Requirements".

Please read the introduction before proceeding.

The introduction reads,

process to initially request accommodations.

Step 1, submit the initial request for

accommodations form with documentation from a qualified professional,

verifying, diagnosed disability or disabilities.

Step 2, schedule and attend an intake meeting

with a case manager to discuss the disability support services,

DSS, process, and your request for academic accommodations.

Step 3, schedule and attend

a decision meeting with your case manager to discuss accommodations decisions,

procedures for accommodations, if approved,

and coordination of services, if approved.

Step 4, verify approved accommodations.

If approved for accommodations,

your case manager will send faculty notification letters formally known as letters of

accommodations via email to inform the instructors of your approved accommodations.

You will be included via your student email.

This process activates your accommodations.

However, students and instructors are encouraged to meet to

clarify delivery of accommodations and course requirements.

Once you have read the introduction,

select Start New Application.

Complete all required fields.

This includes start term,

expected graduation term, preferred name, last name.

Your school ID should already be included, birth date,

email address, primary phone number,

seeking degree, and primary major.

If possible, please also include local and permanent address,

secondary email address, secondary phone number, and affiliations.

Once you have completed the form,

please select Create Application Draft.

Please note that this is still an application draft.

Your application is not yet submitted.

Complete the three questions.

The questions read, identify your diagnosed disability or disabilities,

describe how your disability or disabilities affect you academically,

and what accommodations are you requesting?

If you have your documentation,

you will select "Save and Upload Documentation."

If you do not currently have your documentation,

you will select "Continue Information Release Consents."

In this video, we are going to select "Save and Upload Documentation."

Upload your documentation.

Students can upload multiple documents,

but they can only be uploaded one at a time.

Once all documentation has been uploaded,

select "Continue Information Release Consent."

Students are protected by the Federal Educational Rights and Privacy Act, FERPA.

In order for a DSS staff member to speak to individuals on behalf of a student,

there must be a consent form on file.

Students should also complete a release form as self to

ensure that DSS can release information to the student in the future.

The students should select the Consent Type and

then click "Select And Complete Consent Form".

For this example, the consent form is self, fill out the form.

There is required information and optional information.

DSS requires the following information,

contact person's full name, address,

phone number, relationship to student,

what the DSS staff member is authorized to do,

and what documentation can be released.

If the student has an email address for the contact person,

please include that as well.

If there's any additional comments or notes,

there are boxes that are available for the students to fill out.

Students should read the Information Release Consent Agreement form before proceeding.

The Information Release Consent Agreement reads as follows,

information you share with Disability Support Services,

DSS, regarding the nature of your disability is considered private.

Such information will be maintained in a matter consistent with

the Federal Education Rights and Privacy Act 1974, FERPA.

There may be occasions, however,

when in order to facilitate the provision of accommodations,

DSS staff must speak with individuals outside the office about your particular needs.

Alternatively, you may request that your medical documentation or

accommodation information be provided to a third party you identify.

In the event that a third party individual request information,

this authorization and consent form must be signed by you and filed with DSS

before we can discuss or provide

disability related information to third party individuals.

I understand, I may revoke this consent to release information at any time,

but recognize that any release made between the time I authorized it

and then revoked it shall not constitute a breach of my right to privacy.

Unless otherwise revoked, this authorization will expire

upon completion of degree or withdrawal from the university.

The students should select that they have read and

understood the above statement regarding the information release consent,

then select, submit information release consent form.

The consent form can be completed multiple times.

When all release forms have been completed,

click "Proceed to Final Review."

If needed, go back and review the application.

Students should also read the agreement statement.

The agreement statement reads,

I certify that all information I have

provided is true and accurate to the best of my knowledge.

I understand that intentionally providing

false or misleading information may result in my being

ineligible for services and may also result in

disciplinary action consistent with the student code of conduct.

I understand that if all necessary paperwork is not submitted,

this will delay the DSS office in processing my initial request for accommodations.

I understand if I make changes to my schedule once my FNL has been processed,

I am responsible for notifying my case manager

so that FNLs can be sent for the updated schedule.

When the application is complete, select "Submit Application."

Students will be assigned a case manager within

48 hours after the application has been submitted.

A case manager will initially email the student to request to begin the process.

It is the student's responsibility to check the email for the meeting request.

If you have any questions,

please contact our office at

210-784-1335 or email us at Disability.Services@tamusa.edu.