Having had disability support services in high school or at another post-secondary institution does not automatically qualify you for services at IU South Bend. The laws governing the provision of services for students with disabilities at the post--secondary level are much different than those for high school. Even if you had services at another college, you must disclose your disability and provide documentation to the Disability Support Services office at IU South Bend. Appropriate services and accommodations will then be determined for your specific courses here at IU South Bend.

You will be asked to complete the AES Intake form, which requires a disclosure of your disability. You will also need to provide documentation from a qualified professional of your disability. See Documentation Guidelines for a description of the documentation requirements.

In order to provide services through AES, we require that you provide us with documentation of a qualifying disability. However, we can refer you to community resources, including Vocational Rehabilitation Services that may be able to assist you in obtaining an evaluation.

The determination of appropriate services and accommodations is made by considering the functional impact of the disability in relation to specific course requirements. Students are required, therefore, to meet with AES each semester to determine services and accommodations. Although in many instances, the same services and accommodations will apply from one semester to the next; this is not always the case.

AES does not provide tutoring. However, peer tutoring is available for many courses through the Learning Center. The Writing Center offers assistance to students in the writing process. In addition, some departments (e.g. math) offer additional study assistance. These opportunities are all free.

Class attendance policies are determined by the instructor based upon academic requirements. AES does not provide an accommodation that exempts a student from attendance requirements because of a disability. However, we can note in an accommodation letter that missed class time is possible due to the student’s disability. It can be helpful to the instructor to know that the student does, in fact, have a documented disability that may cause him/her to miss class. It is still the instructor’s decision, though, as to how he/she will act on the situation.

The Accessible Educational Services office is the point of contact for the student in disclosing disability information. Although the student is certainly free to disclose information to faculty as they see fit, it is not required.

AES has no authority to make decisions concerning course waivers or substitutions. All such requests must be made through your academic school. The role of AES in such an instance is to verify that the student has a qualifying disability and the functional impact of the disability relative to the student’s performance in the class in question.

Yes, you should contact AES if you need assistance as a result of a temporary condition. We may be able to assist you with alternate classroom furniture or other services. The AES office still requires the appropriate disability documentation, even if it is a temporary condition.

In most cases, a disagreement, whether with AES or with an instructor, can be resolved through communication. If you have an issue with your instructor, you should first attempt to speak with your instructor while also informing AES of your concerns. AES will become involved as necessary. If you are dissatisfied with a AES action or decision, contact the office and let us know your concerns. We may be able to come to a resolution with additional discussion and clarification. Whether you have an issue with faculty or with AES, a grievance process exists for you to follow.