The Office of Disability Services

Accommodating Our Student Body

 

Message from the Director 

Thank you for visiting our page! Please know that TSU and the Office of Disability Services (ODS) are committed to our mission and the high level of service we provide to you, our registered students.  We will continue to deliver our services both face-to-face and virtually, utilizing both Zoom and Microsoft Teams. We are dedicated to facilitating full access and providing a welcoming environment for all students. The ODS staff is ready and available to serve you. 

Summer 2026 Students

Contact us LIVE time >>

Schedule an in-person/virtual appointment:  We look forward to supporting you. Please schedule an appointment to meet with your Coordinator each semester.

Monday - Friday 8:00a - 4:30p.  To schedule an appointment with your Coordinator, please send an email (the preferred method), log into our Virtual Office, or give us a call

 

Academic Accommodation Requests

All academic accommodations must be approved by the Office of Disability Services. To receive academic accommodations students must self-identify and complete the intake process as well as provide the appropriate documentation (please see the documentation requirement forms under the picture to your right.). Students that are registered with the office must keep in mind that even if a previous approved accommodation is on file, they will need to submit a request for academic accommodations during each semester of attendance in order to continue to receive them. We strongly suggest that students submit their request form for academic accommodations at the beginning of each semester. Please be advised that some courses may only be offered in an online format, either synchronous or asynchronous, which means if a student registers for an online course, the accommodations may need to be adjusted depending on the documented disability. Therefore, ODS will need to be notified as soon as possible of any modification to the course schedule. In addition, if a professor has any questions about the classroom and/or testing accommodations or how the accommodation(s) may be implemented, please ask the professor to contact the ODS Coordinator for additional information.

Please know that we understand that students are likely to encounter a wide range of both positive and negative feelings during their college matriculation. Students who are experiencing feelings of being overwhelmed are strongly encouraged to contact TSU's Counseling Center and download the App for TimelyCare. Tennessee State University has partnered with TimelyCare to provide free virtual mental health support to TSU students only through the TimelyCare platform. Students have FREE, 24/7 access to virtual care services and  do not need insurance  to access the services.  Please visit the Counseling Center website for more information.

In addition to the Office of Disability Services, students have access to various academic support systems, including the Academic Achievement and Retention Center (AARC) , which is home to the Writing, Reading, and Math Centers, Tiger Tutoring and P.A.S.S. Tutoring. These resources are designed to assist students in their academic pursuits.

Special Housing Accommodation Requests

Please be advised that single rooms are reserved for individuals with specific living needs. In general, diagnoses such as ADD/ADHD or Specific Learning Disability do not lend themselves to single-room accommodations. The housing accommodation process considers access for living purposes only and not for other aspects of the college experience, such as studying.  A single room cannot guarantee a quiet environment. There are many options on campus where a student can study in an environment suitable for one's situation. We will evaluate each request on a case-by-case basis.   (See the Special Housing Request hyperlink to the right for more detailed information)

* Also, please note applications and documents received after Special Housing deadlines may affect any assignment provided.  


If you have any additional questions, you may contact the Office of Disability Services,
  Contact Us .

 


Our Mission

Mission: The Office of Disability Services (ODS) is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to students with documented impairments in order to ensure full access to the university's programs, activities, and services. ODS staff assists registered students in building skills and techniques to become effective self-advocates in order to succeed academically. ODS staff also advocate for and promote an accessible university environment for students with disabilities, as well as provides faculty support in the classroom and resources as needed. 

Thus, all colleges and universities have an obligation to provide access to students with disabilities in all institutional programs and activities. This obligation is articulated in:

The Office of Disability Services' responsibilities includes coordinating university-wide services for students with documented disabilities. These services include, but are not limited to:

  • Arranging accommodations 
  • Providing training/workshops for faculty and staff to better understand how to support students with an impairment(s).
  • Addressing  accessibility issues that arise for the students.
  • Collaborating with the Testing Center as necessary concerning student testing needs.
  • Providing resources such as tutoring information  for select courses, studying and organizational skills, and helping to secure books in alternative formats

To register for services, the student must:

  • Be admitted to Tennessee State University through the admissions office
  • Complete the Intake Form
  • Submit documentation from a licensed healthcare professional
  • Meet with the ODS Coordinator for an interactive discussion
  • Provide their course schedule for each semester (ODS will notify instructors of your approved accommodations via email)

 


Frequently Asked Questions:

  • Can I just tell my Instructor I need accommodation?

No, all student accommodations must follow the Office of Disability Services process in order to obtain an approved accommodation memorandum/letter. 

  • How do I request accommodations?

You first must be admitted to Tennessee State University.  Once admitted, you will need to complete an ODS Intake Form and meet with an ODS Coordinator.  For more details, click the link to the right on "How do I request accommodations?"

Please see the link below for additional questions regarding post-secondary requirements:

https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/transition.html

 


LEARN MORE

The Office of Disability Services can help students and instructors address any questions or concerns about reasonable accommodation(s) - Contact ODS

Etiquette for working with students with disabilities: https://www.bestcolleges.com/resources/disability-etiquette/

The United Spinal Association has a publication on Tips for Interacting with People with Disabilities - general etiquette guidelines:http://www.unitedspinal.org/disability-etiquette/ 

Read “30 years after Americans with Disabilities Act, college students with disabilities say law is not enough” on NBC News

For more information concerning student success and college student disability, visit: https://nationaldisabilitycenter.org/

 


 

 

student

How Do I Request Accommodations?

Register for Services (Download Intake form)

Documentation Requirements 

Faculty Information



Contact Us

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