Student Veterans
Students who are veterans may have need of services that Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) offers. It’s never too late to receive services. Think back to elementary, middle, and high school. Did you struggle with math, reading, focusing? Fifty percent of students registered with SSD began receiving services as upper-class students or graduate students after they recognized that their academic performance did not reflect their aptitude and effort. A sample of personal issues that may qualify you for services and accommodations include:
- Migraines
- Crohn’s disease
- Diabetes
- Cancer
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
- High school experiences with slow reading, poor spelling, or math struggles
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Insomnia
- Hearing or vision impairments
- Long-term reductions in physical strength or endurance
- Chronic feelings of irritability
Services might be appropriate if you can answer yes to any of the following. Do you:
- Struggle to take notes while listening to a lecture?
- Have difficulty finishing tests in the time given?
- Read textbooks for hours with low comprehension?
- Know your test grades do not reflect your level of knowledge?
- Forget to complete or turn-in assignments on time?
- Feel like you are always behind despite your best efforts?
- Regret how you treat others when you are frustrated?
- Worried you are going to fail classes?
- Often find it hard to concentrate in class or while studying?
Academic Access
Academic access means equal access to classroom lectures, notes, and textbook material. Because every individual learns differently, some students find they cannot absorb or comprehend instructional material in a traditional way. SSD provides services such as alternate text accommodations, note takers, and extra time on tests for qualified students who are not currently experiencing equal access because of a disability, use of a calculator, scribe or reader for tests, use of spellcheck, enlarged print, taping lectures, and alternate text formats.
Where do I start?
Contact SSD at 540-231-3788 or ssd@vt.edu to schedule an appointment with an SSD coordinator. Please bring any professional information you have, such as an IEP or 504 plan, or medical documentation. This information is helpful, but not required for the first appointment.
What is the timeline for accommodation?
It depends. SSD evaluates each person’s situation before developing a recommended plan of action. So, the entire process might take a few days or several weeks.
Other Virginia Tech Resources:
Veteran at Virginia Tech
540-231-6252
www.veterans.vt.edu
veteran@vt.edu
Dean of Students Office
540-231-3787
www.dos.vt.edu
dean.students@vt.edu
Cook Counseling Center
540-231-6557
www.ucc.vt.edu