Student FAQ
An individual is considered to have a disability if he or she has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits major life activity, has a record of such an impairment, or is regarded as having such an impairment.
Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 as amended in 2008.
No, the admissions criteria are the same for all students regardless of disability. During the university application process, students are not asked about disabilities; if a student feels disclosing a disability would help explain certain situations, the student can address these issues in the application's optional essay. Disclosing a disability to the Admissions Office does not register a student with SSD. Disability documentation should only be sent to SSD.
Relevant and current documentation is needed to verify the existence of a disability and to determine the appropriate accommodations based on the functional impact of the disability related to academic courses, testing methods, program requirements, etc. Please refer to SSD’s Documentation Guidelines for specific information.
No. The IEP and 504 Plan from high school provide valuable information regarding a history of previous accommodations. To receive accommodations through Services for Students with Disabilities at Virginia Tech, a student must provide documentation of the disability from a licensed professional. Refer to SSD’s Documentation Guidelines for more information on documenting a disability.
Accommodations are granted on a case-by-case basis. The Services for Students with Disabilities staff determine the appropriate accommodations based on the documentation results and a personal interview with the student. Information can be found on the Accommodations page. Also, be sure to note the valuable information in the accommodation letter instructions.
Special housing accommodations are determined on a case-by-case basis. The Special Housing Accommodations page will have more specific information on this topic. Please note the specific deadlines to apply.
Accommodations and services are determined by an individual’s needs. Classroom accessibility, transportation, parking, and emergency evacuation issues need to be addressed prior to the start of each semester through Services for Students with Disabilities. Please contact SSD to arrange a meeting.
Although a temporary disability may not be covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act, Services for Students with Disabilities will work with students for referrals to on-campus resources and services. Accommodations and services will be determined on a case-by-case basis.
Many psychological conditions do qualify as a disability and may qualify you for accommodations and services. Based on documentation submitted, accommodations and services will be determined on a case-by-case basis.
Information about testing accommodations can be found on the Testing Accommodations page. Please read all of the information carefully, as well as the information on the Testing Accommodations Rules and Procedures page.
Some campus resources include:
Many Virginia Tech students encounter academic and personal difficulties as a student. When those difficulties persist and attempts to remedy the issue do not seem to fully address a problem, students may wonder if they may have a disability such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, psychological disability, or medical condition that might meet criteria for having a disability. Many students connected with SSD either acquire a disability or learn that they qualify for services after coming to college.
It’s never too late! Think back to elementary school, middle, and high school. Did you struggle with math, reading, or focusing? Fifty percent of students registered with SSD began receiving services as upper-class or graduate students after they recognized that their academic performance did not reflect their aptitude and effort. If you think this describes you, fill out and submit the form on our How to Connect page and we will schedule a confidential consultation with an SSD staff coordinator. We can help you identify the next steps you need to take, either through SSD, another university department, or an outside service provider.