Academic Services

Please note:  The Accessibility Services office is open and available to meet in-person, over the phone or virtually.  Please contact us at (906) 635-2355 or email to schedule.

Accessibility Services Policy Statement

Lake Superior State University is committed to providing a welcoming and inclusive campus environment for people of all abilities. Our Accessibility Services (AS) office is committed to helping students with disabilities participate as fully as possible in the university’s programs, services, and activities.  It is our policy that persons with disabilities will have access to any program, service, or activity offered by the university that is comparable to the access received by persons without disabilities unless such access would place an undue burden upon the university. If technologies or other products are needed to provide access to university programs, services, or activities, AS will make every reasonable effort to purchase such products; if these products cannot be purchased, AS will make provisions for effective alternatives that meet the accessibility requirements.

Students with disabilities have a right to:

• Request accommodations through the university’s AS office.
• Receive accommodations appropriate to their disability in order to fully participate in, or benefit from, the university’s programs, services, and activities in a non-discriminatory, integrated manner.

To obtain the necessary accommodations, students are responsible for:

• Meeting with the AS Coordinator to register for an accommodation plan.
• Providing current supporting documentation regarding the requested accommodations.

Student Requirements for Accommodations

All students who identify themselves as having a disability should contact Accessibility Services (AS) to request accommodations.  Students with disabilities have the same obligations that all students have to meet all university standards for academic performance and codes of conduct. Faculty members are not obligated to provide accommodations to students without receiving an Accommodation Letter from the student, which notifies them of the accessibility accommodations the student is able to utilize.  Students should contact the AS office to make an appointment for setting up their accommodations.

For new incoming students, we recommend submitting documentation and meeting with the AS Coordinator at least four weeks prior to the start of your first semester to ensure that your accommodations are in place on the first day of classes. Students returning to LSSU after an absence of one or more semesters need to contact the AS office to update their accommodation plan.

Prior to the accommodations appointment at the AS office, students need to complete the Registration Form and submit appropriate medical documentation showing that the student is covered under the ADA Amendments Act of 2008 and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.  The disability evaluation documentation must be issued by a relevant and credentialed professional and must be dated no more than three years prior to the student’s accommodations request.  The documentation must also demonstrate how the disability affects the individual’s ability to function in one or more major life activities at the university. Based on this documentation, the university’s AS Coordinator will work with the student to set up an effective accommodations plan in compliance with the ADA Amendments Act of 2008 and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.  The required documentation can be dropped off to the AS Coordinator in LIBR-233, or submitted by email to Accessibility Services at . We recommend that students provide documentation to the AS Coordinator at least 48 hours before their appointment to give the AS Coordinator sufficient time to draft an accommodation plan.  The AS office may waive these documentation requirements for students whose disabilities are outwardly apparent, such as a wheelchair, etc.

In compliance with Lake Superior State University policy and equal access laws, disability-related accommodations or services are available.  Students who desire such services are urged to meet with their professor in a timely manner, preferably the first week of class, to discuss their disability-related needs.

However, students will not receive services until they are properly register with Accessibility Services.

Proper registration will enable Accessibility Services to verify the disability and determine reasonable and effective academic accommodations. Accessibility Services is located in the KJS Library Room 233, extension 2355.

Students making a successful transition to higher education bring with them:

• Appropriate medical documentation that permits reasonable accommodation.
• Interactive participation in the accommodation process.

Students are encouraged to contact Accessibility Services as early as possible to make accommodation arrangements.

A sampling of services offered

• Extended testing time
• Distraction reduced testing environment
• Alternative format textbooks
• Classroom audio recording
• Test readers or scribes
• Assistive technology
• Alternative classroom seating