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Information for Prospective Students
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New to Students with Disabilities Services (SDS)

Dr. Rosenberg's Fall 2008 Welcome New Student Letter.

The U.S. Department of Education has a website with information about the transition to postsecondary education called "Students with Disabilities Preparing for Postsecondary Education: Know Your Rights and Responsibilities", which is located at http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/transition.html.

Application Steps

In order to have accommodations and services, students are responsible for applying with Students with Disabilities Services (SDS) by following these steps:

  • Present appropriate documentation to the SDS Office.
  • Complete the Application and Release Form and attach to your documentation.
  • Have the professional who did the evaluation complete and sign the Documentation Coversheet, which you then attach to your documentation.

Information Sessions

You are invited to attend a group information session. The group sessions are typically held on the second (2nd) and fourth (4th) Friday of most months. The sessions are approximately two (2) hours long. Please call the office at (813) 974-4309 for more details.

 

Provide Documentation

To be eligible for disability-related services, students must have a documented disability as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Under the ADA and Section 504, a person has a disability if he or she has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more of the major life activities (walking, standing, seeing, hearing, sitting, breathing, learning, or taking care of oneself).

Section 504, as well as the ADA, prohibits discrimination against otherwise qualified individuals with disabilities in recruitment, admission, or the treatment of students. Students with documented disabilities may request accommodations which will enable them to participate in, and benefit from, all University programs and activities.

Documentation must include the following:

  • Specific diagnosis of disability by a qualified professional
  • Functional impact of the disability on academic performance
  • Learning Disabilities and ADD documentation must comply with AHEAD and ETS guidelines.
  • Completed Application by the student and Documentation Coversheet by the professional

*** Please visit our Documentation page for more important details! ***

Your application, the coversheet and documentation can be submitted by the following methods:

  • Hand delivery to SVC 1133 (Student Services building, Tampa Campus)
  • Fax to (813) 974-7337
  • Mail to Students with Disabilities Services - 4202 East Fowler Ave, SVC1133 - Tampa, FL 33620-6923

Review Process

The review process may take up to ten (10) business days. In particularly busy times, the review process may take longer. Please email Dr. Judy Rosenberg at jrosenbe@admin.usf.edu to inquire about the status of your documentation review after the ten (10) business days. Additional documentation may be requested.

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After Application Review

When notified that your documentation supports your disability claim and your current need for accommodations:

  • Meet with a coordinator to discuss accommodations and services
  • Keep initial interview, provide information, sign release, and fashion accommodations
  • Each semester register with the SDS office


Once accepted to receive services from SDS, the student is responsible for:

  • Registering each semester for accommodations
  • Requesting Accommodation Letters
  • Delivering Accommodation Letters to all professors
  • Following procedures for specific accommodations and services
  • Monitoring her/his own academic progress

If an accommodation is not effective, students should consult with a coordinator for adjustments.

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Table of Contents

Application Steps

Documentation Guidelines

After Application Review

 

Forms

The below forms are available for download using Adobe Reader. Get Adobe Reader

Application and Release Form

Documentation Coversheet

 

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University Responsibility 

Student Disability Students with Disabilities Services is charged with the responsibility of determining eligibility for services.

Students, faculty, and the staff of this office collaborate to determine appropriate accommodations.

Students are expected to inform Students with Disabilities Services if the accommodations are not adequate. Students with Disabilities Services will work with the student and faculty to provide reasonable accommodations.

Students with Disabilities Services, 4202 E. Fowler Avenue, SVC1133, Tampa, FL 33620-6923

Phone: (813) 974-4309 -- TTY: (813) 974-5651 -- Fax: (813) 974-7337

 

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