Apply for Accommodations

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Get Started with Student Accessibility Services

If you're a student with a disability and want to request academic, dining, housing, or assistance animal accommodations at Iowa State, you're in the right place. The process includes a few important steps designed to understand your needs and get you the support that fits best. This page walks you through what to expect—from applying to setting up your accommodations.

  • Student (female) with dark curly hair and glasses smiling at a laptop and typing

    1. Fill Out the Registration Form

    Begin by filling out our online registration form. This tells us more about your experiences and the support you’re looking for. You’ll be able to upload any documents you already have, but don’t worry if you don’t have everything yet—you can still get started.

  • A hand holds a magnifying glass over a sketched clipboard with a document that features a checkmark

    2. Collect Documentation

    Documentation helps us understand how your condition impacts your academic or campus life. Please review our Documentation Guidelines to see what types of documents are accepted and to get ideas for what you might submit.

    Not sure what to provide? That’s okay—you can always skip ahead and schedule your Welcome Meeting first. We’ll help you figure out what’s needed and how to move forward.

  • Coordinator sitting across a desk from a student, talking in a meeting

    3. Schedule a Welcome Meeting

    Once your registration form is submitted, it's time to schedule a Welcome Meeting. Welcome Meetings provide an opportunity to discuss your individual experiences, challenges, and accommodation needs in more detail. 

    During this conversation, you’ll meet with a coordinator to explore support options, review accommodation processes, and ensure you have the tools and resources needed to succeed. We'll also talk through possible accommodations and how we support students.

    To schedule and prepare for your welcome meeting, review the information below!

Learn More About Welcome Meetings:

What is a Welcome Meeting?

A Welcome Meeting in our office is a one-on-one appointment where a student who is new to our services will meet with an Accessibility Coordinator to discuss any concerns or barriers they’re experiencing related to their disability. This meeting provides a chance to talk through your individual experiences, challenges, and accommodation needs in more detail. Together, you’ll explore support options, review accommodation processes, and ensure you have the tools and resources needed to succeed.

Your coordinator will ask in-depth questions about your diagnosis—its history, how it affects your day-to-day life, and any barriers you may face in accessing classes, activities, or other campus resources. If applicable, they’ll also discuss your previous use of accommodations or disability support to gain a full understanding of your needs.

You’ll work together to identify potential accommodations, determine what documentation may be needed, and talk through next steps. Coordinators are committed to creating a supportive space and will help connect you with additional services or campus offices when helpful, ensuring you have access to the full range of resources available at Iowa State.

How can you prepare for a Welcome Meeting?

  • Collect copies of your current documentation and send the documents to us if you have them. (See Step 2 for more information!)
  • Consider how your disability may be affecting—or could affect—your experience in college.
  • Come prepared with any questions or concerns you’d like to talk through with your coordinator.

What comes after the Welcome Meeting?

  • After your meeting, you'll receive a follow-up email at your ISU address summarizing what was discussed, including next steps, recommended resources, and any potential accommodations.
  • Once you've completed your Welcome Meeting and submitted documentation, our office will begin the Accommodation Review process. (See Step 4 for more details.)

Schedule a Meeting via Phone Call:
  1.  Call (515)-294-7220 and ask for a Welcome Meeting!
Schedule a Meeting on Navigate:
  1. Click “Appointments” and then “Schedule an Appointment”.
  2. Select "Student Accessibility" for the Care Unit.
  3. Select "Welcome/First Meeting" for the Service.
  4. Select "Student Accessibility Services" for the Location.
  5. Then, choose from available days/times and schedule your appointment.
  • Two coordinators looking over documentation on a computer discussing a case

    4. Accommodation Review

    After the welcome meeting is complete and documentation is received, our team will begin the accommodation review process. The accommodation review ensures that requested accommodations are appropriate and aligned with your disability-related needs. 

    Our team evaluates your self-reported experiences, medical documentation, and how accommodations will support your access to academics and campus life. We also consider course requirements and institutional policies as we determine what accommodations are reasonable within the university setting.

    This review process typically takes about one week, but it may take longer during busy times or for more complex requests. Once a decision is made, we’ll follow up with you by email to let you know the outcome and your next steps.

  • Female college student looking off into the distance, smiling, holding notebooks with a backpack

    5. Follow-Up Meeting

    Before using your approved accommodations, you'll need to attend a Follow-Up Meeting. These meetings help you build the skills to use your accommodations and advocate for yourself confidently. 

    In this meeting, you'll learn how to use your accommodations effectively, communicate with your instructors, and access support from SAS as needed. There will also be a chance to ask any additional questions about accommodations that you may have.

    To schedule and prepare for your follow-up meeting, review the information below!

Learn More About Follow-Up Meetings:

What is a Follow-Up Meeting?

Students approved for academic accommodations must attend a Follow-Up Meeting before they can begin using their accommodations. Follow-up meetings help you develop the skills needed to communicate and implement your accommodations effectively. In these meetings, we provide guidance on initiating conversations with instructors, sending clear and professional follow-up emails, and documenting your accommodation plan. Our goal is to support you in confidently advocating for your needs and ensuring your accommodations are implemented correctly. 

What will you learn in your Follow-Up Meeting?

  • How to send your notification letters effectively and communicate your accommodations to instructors.
  • How to utilize your exam accommodations appropriately (if applicable).
  • How to access assistive technology (if applicable).
  • How your rights and responsibilities regarding accommodations apply in college.
  • Options for reaching out to SAS if additional support is needed with accommodation implementation.

How can you prepare for a Follow-Up Meeting?

  • Review your approved accommodations in the email sent to you after the Accommodation Review process. (See Step 4 for more information)
  • Consider any questions you may have about using your accommodations on campus or in your courses.

 

Schedule a Meeting via Phone Call:

  1.  Call (515)-294-7220 and ask for a Follow-Up Meeting to review your approved academic accommodations!

Schedule a Meeting on Navigate:

  1. Click “Appointments” and then “Schedule an Appointment”.
  2. Select "Student Accessibility" for the Care Unit.
  3. Select "Follow-Up Meeting" for the Service.
  4. Select "Student Accessibility Services" for the Location.
  5. Then, choose from available days/times and schedule your appointment.

Approved Housing, Dining, and Assistance Animals:

When you receive an approval email for accommodations that are not academic, it will outline the next steps for you to begin using these accommodations. This often involves us sending information to Housing and/or Dining to help connect you with them for further discussion. This may include scheduling a meeting, or it may notify you that those offices will reach out if they have any questions or need additional information. Be sure to carefully review the email so you fully understand your next steps and whether any further action is required on your part.

Registrar and Facilities Accommodations:

Some registrar and facilities accommodations are implemented automatically upon approval, while others may require follow-up or communication with you to be fully set up. Be sure to carefully review the email so you fully understand your next steps and whether any further action is required on your part.

My coordinator was very helpful and explained the process very well. They provided instructions on the next steps and how to continue this process for the rest of my years here.

ISU Student with Accommodations