Student Disability Resources

At Penn State, we're committed to helping you reach your academic goals. Part of this commitment means that we'll provide students who have disabilities with equal access to, and full participation in, their courses through the use of reasonable accommodations. Let's take a look at how to access these services, should you need them.

What Is a Disability?

In order for you to know whether your disorder or impairment could be considered a disability, you first need to know how disabilities are defined at Penn State. The definition of a disability under Title II of the ADA Amendments Act (ADAAA) of 2008 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 states that "a disability is defined as a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities." This definition is the guideline that Penn State follows when considering the allocation of reasonable accommodations. Please keep in mind that for accommodations to be put in place, you must be able to demonstrate through documentation that your disorder/impairment meets this definition. If you have questions about what documentation can be used, please review the Documentation Guidelines Links to an external site. page.

Applying for Services From Student Disability Resources

Now that you have a better idea of what's covered, how do you go about applying for services? The first step in this process is informing a member of our Academic Advising and Student Disability Services team. This can be a direct conversation with your adviser or with a disability liaison, or it can be done by simply filling out the Students With Disabilities Contact Form Links to an external site.. Please note that if you need help filling out the form, an office assistant can fill it out for you. If you would like to speak with an office assistant or with your adviser or disability liaison in person, you can call 814-863-3283 between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. (EST).  One thing to remember is that we can only provide services to you if you disclose the need for academic adjustments, auxiliary aids, and/or services. It's important for you to reach out as soon as possible so that we can help get your accommodations in place. Our disability services team also works closely with military advisers to serve students with service-connected disabilities, and to identify students who may need accommodations.

What Are "Reasonable Accommodations"?

We have mentioned reasonable accommodations multiple times, but what does that really mean? Penn State defines a reasonable accommodation as

any modification or adjustment that will enable a qualified student with a disability to participate in a course, program, facility, activity, or service and includes adjustments to assure that a qualified individual with a disability has rights and privileges equal to students without disabilities. Reasonable accommodations may include academic adjustments, auxiliary aids, services, or modifications for facilities. 

For more information on what these accommodations entail, speak with a disability liaison or visit Penn State’s Reasonable Accommodations Links to an external site. page.

Student Rights and Responsibilities

Every student receiving academic adjustments, auxiliary aids, and/or services through Student Disability Resources is required to sign a form, which outlines their responsibilities for receiving academic adjustments. Review this list of rights and responsibilities Links to an external site..