ELIGIBILITY FOR SERVICES

Services are provided to all eligible Stony Brook students covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act. Documentation will be requested to verify a disability and to determine appropriate accommodations. Services can only be initiated when students self-disclose their disabilities and request some type of assistance.

All information and documentation related to a disability is confidential, not part of the academic transcript and is not released without the student's written consent.

Initiating Services - New Admissions

• Complete and mail to DSS the Voluntary Disclosure insert located in the Admissions Acceptance Packet, OR click on the DSS link when completing your New Student Preferences on SOLAR. This will inform DSS that you have been accepted and may require assistance. DSS will contact you to determine accommodations and services.
• Provide DSS with Documentation of your disability.
• Requested accommodations and documentation are assessed individually.
• If you will need any accommodations for the Placement Test, contact DSS seven (7) days in advance of your Orientation date.
  Students must self-disclose in a timely fashion, allowing the University time to secure necessary accommodations.

Initiating Services - All Students

• Contact DSS before classes begin and provide documentation of your disability. Services can only be initiated when students self-disclose their disabilities and request some type of assistance. The DSS counselor must determine what the University can provide and what systems must be put in place for the provision of the requested accommodations.
• Make an appointment and visit DSS at the beginning of every semester. Once you have met with your professors and know your needs, come to DSS and request that letters be sent to secure accommodations. It is advisable to request, discuss and refine appropriate accommodations with DSS in a timely fashion.
• It is the student’s responsibility to keep DSS informed of any difficulties that may arise with recommended accommodations.
  

Documentation

All students seeking assistance from the DSS office must self-disclose the presence of a specific disability. In order to receive services, appropriate documentation complete with diagnosis and stated specific limitations must be provided. In cases where documentation is incomplete the student may be asked to seek additional diagnostic documentation. A member of the DSS advising staff will determine appropriate, legal documentation needs.

Students with disabilities are protected by privacy and confidentiality policies. Specific information regarding the type of disability will not be given unless requested by the student. All documentation is confidential and kept in the DSS office. The student's academic transcript is unaffected by the disclosure of a disability. The submission of documentation does not activate services or accommodations.

Faculty members will receive notification only if requested by the student each semester.

If additional information is required please contact the office of Disability Support Services at 632-6748, Monday-Friday.