Getting Started
How will I know if I will receive DSS support?
You will receive an email from DSS stating that you are either eligible for services, not eligible for services, or that additional documentation is needed. This email is for your personal records only.
If you are eligible for services, make an appointment with your DSS Coordinator for your New Student Orientation (NSO) meeting. Contact information will be in the email you received about your eligibility. You will also receive instructions for requesting memos to instructors. During your New Student Orientation (NSO) meeting, you will be provided memos to take to your instructors.
Memos to instructors are letters printed by DSS on our official letterhead explaining your classroom and testing modifications to course instructors. These memos contain your name and ID number; date of the current semester, and the name of your DSS Staff Contact. Most importantly, there will be a description of all classroom and testing modifications that must be made for you. Lastly, there will be an explanation of the roles and responsibilities of you (the student), our office (DSS), and your instructors in implementing your modifications.
Memos will verify that you are eligible as a student with a disability but they do not name or explain specific aspects of the disability without your express permission. They focus instead on what must be done to create an accessible learning environment for you.
The first semester that you become eligible for assistance, we recommend you request memos as soon as possible after you receive the notification of eligibility. Thereafter, memos must be requested at the beginning of every semester. Note: it may take up to ten days for arrangements to be made for your test modifications. If you request memos less than a week before a test, we cannot guarantee that you will be accommodated on such short notice.
You will receive your first set of memos during the NSO where you will also learn about additional disability support services and academic resources on the Bloomington campus.
Memos can be requested in person or on-line. Since memos are confidential documents, they may not be picked up by anyone but you. They will not be sent through the mail.
Instructors are not obligated to accommodate students who do not present an official memo from the DSS office.
