Disability Services Program
The Disability Services Program (DSP) in Your Dean of Students Office oversees all student-related ADA accommodations for the University. An example of an ADA accommodation is extended time to complete tests or testing in a different environment.
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How do I get accommodations at DU?
Students must complete three steps to obtain accommodations at DU:
1) They must provide documentation,
2) Schedule a time to meet with an accommodation specialist.
The meeting (Step 3) between the student and the accommodation specialist is an interactive process where the student and DSP engage in a good-faith effort to articulate and understand barriers and grant accommodations to ameliorate those barriers.
Students provide documentation by uploading it to the Accommodate Portal, completing the Request for Accommodation form and scheduling a time to meet with an accommodation specialist.
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What documentation do I need for accommodations?
Students must coordinate with their current treatment provider to obtain appropriate documentation. It is most common for students with learning disabilities or ADHD to submit psychoeducational testing. Please note per OCR (Office for Civil Rights), an IEP may not be sufficient for granting accommodations. Documentation may be in the form of diagnostic testing or a letter of support from the current, treating healthcare provider. Supporting documentation must include the following information:
- Submitted on formal letterhead from the treating provider
- Include the treating physician's signature and license number
- All documentation must be submitted in English
- Within a relevant time frame
- Include a formal diagnosis
- All documentation requires the following elements:
- Disability/Diagnosis
- Functional limitation(s) based on objective evidence
- The need for accommodation(s) based on objective evidence
For further details, see the DSP Documentation Guidelines.
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How do I send my letters of approved accommodations (LOAA) to my faculty?
The way that students communicate their accommodations to professors is by sending them through the Accommodate Portal.
DSP hosts office hours and a staff member will help you with this.
DSP Office Hours are Monday, Wednesday, Friday 11:00am – 1:00pm in Driscoll South, Lower Level, Suite 22.
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How do I sign up for tests & quizzes?
DSP hosts office hours and a staff member will help you with this. DSP Office Horus are Monday, Wednesday, Friday 11-1 in Driscoll South, Lower Level, Suite 22.
Students must register through the Accommodate Portal five days before a quiz or test.
For final exams, students must register ten days in advance.
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How do I use my assistive technology?
DSP hosts office hours and a staff member will help you with this. DSP Office Hours are Monday, Wednesday, Friday 11-1 in Driscoll South, Lower Level, Suite 22.
Typically, students who request support with taking notes in class are provided an accommodation to audio record the class; Once a student is granted an audio recording accommodation for a class, DSP assigns the student a Glean license.
- What is Glean video
- Learn to Use Glean (1-minute video) This webpage also has step-by-step instructions with pictures.
- Detailed Glean Tutorial
- The Glean Help Center has instructions for how to use Glean with pictures for reference.
Caroline Newcomb is our Assistive Technology Specialist and is happy to assist you. Caroline can be reached at 303-871-4465 or Caroline.Newcomb@du.edu.
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How do I get my textbooks to work with a screen reader or text-to-speech?
DSP hosts office hours and a staff member will help you with this. DSP Office Hours are Monday, Wednesday, Friday 11-1 in Driscoll South, Lower Level, Suite 22.
Typically, students with reading comprehension difficulties or visual challenges request alternative format text. Once you have been granted an accommodation for alternative format text, our Assistive Technology Specialist, Caroline Newcomb will schedule a time to meet with you to further understand your needs and train you how to use assistive technology. Caroline can be reached at 303-871-4465 or Caroline.Newcomb@du.edu.
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How do I contact DSP?
Directly contact your Accommodation Specialist
Email: DSP@DU.edu
Phone: 303-871-3241
Location: Driscoll Center South, Lower Level, Suite 13 and 22
Downstairs from the Bookstore and Community Commons Bridge, On the same level as the ID Card Office
Office Hours: Come in to speak with a staff member during DSP Office Hours.
Monday, Wednesday, Friday 11-1 in Driscoll South, Lower Level, Suite 22.
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Where is DSP?
Driscoll Center South, Lower Level
Suite 13 and 22
Downstairs from the Bookstore and Community Commons Bridge
On the same level as the ID Card Office
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Where are DSP policies?
All of our policies are contained in our DSP Student Handbook.
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Is there a deadline for requesting housing accommodations or an ESA?
Yes, DSP follows Housing and Residential Education’s (HRE) housing application deadlines. Students requesting ADA accommodations for housing which includes single bedrooms or Emotional Support Animals must follow HRE and DSP’s housing process and deadlines simultaneously.
New Student DSP Housing Deadline: June 1
Returning Student DSP Housing Deadline: October 1
- Where is the accommodate portal?
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How do I get involved?
The Disability Services Program (DSP) has a Student Advisory Board.
Please contact Beth Cartwright at 303-871-3241 or Beth.Cartwright@du.edu if you would like more information or if you would like to participate.