No. Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and 504 Plans do not automatically transfer to college. However, they may be a helpful part of the interactive review process. At Iowa State University, accommodations are determined through an individualized review process based on current disability-related barriers and access needs in the university environment.

No. Accommodations approved at another college or university do not automatically transfer to Iowa State University. Each institution conducts its own individualized review process to determine reasonable accommodations based on current documentation, reported barriers, and the university environment.

Documentation requirements vary depending on the nature of the request and the disability-related barriers being considered. Students are encouraged to discuss what documentation may be helpful for their request in their Intake Meeting with SAS.

More information on documentation guidelines is available here.

Documentation is one part of the individualized review process used by Student Accessibility Services. While documentation may help establish the presence of a disability and provide helpful background information, documentation alone does not determine whether an accommodation is reasonable or appropriate within the university environment.

SAS considers multiple factors during the review process, including student-reported barriers, the impact on access, academic and program requirements, and the university environment. Recommendations from medical or other providers are considered as part of this process but do not automatically result in approval of a specific accommodation.

Students may contact Student Accessibility Services at any time to begin the accommodation review process. Early engagement is encouraged, as accommodations are not retroactive and take time to review and implement.

Incoming students are encouraged to begin the process before beginning classes. 

• For housing-related accommodations, students should submit requests in advance of university housing priority deadlines to allow time for review and planning.
  • More information, including deadlines, is available on the Housing Accommodations webpage.
• For other accommodations, it is recommended that students start the process a semester prior to beginning classes. Many incoming students also begin or complete their intake process over the summer, including through orientation drop-in appointments.

Students are always welcome to connect with Student Accessibility Services to discuss questions, concerns, or whether accommodations may be helpful. These conversations can also provide information about how accommodations work in a college setting, what is already accessible, and what the request process entails.

Students may begin the review process and choose not to continue at any point if they decide accommodations are not needed.

Students can request accommodations by completing the intake process with Student Accessibility Services. To learn more about each step and get started, visit our Request Accommodations webpage.

Review timelines vary depending on when a student completes the initial steps of the process, including submitting documentation and participating in an intake meeting with Student Accessibility Services. These steps must be completed before a full review can begin.

Once all required information is received, most students can expect to hear a determination within approximately one week. However, timelines may vary depending on the complexity of the request, the need for additional information, and periods of high demand.

Because each request is reviewed individually, students are encouraged to submit materials early to allow time for review and implementation before accommodations are needed.

Once a student is approved for accommodations, Student Accessibility Services coordinates implementation based on the type of accommodation and any campus partners involved. Implementation may include collaboration between the student, SAS, and relevant university offices to ensure access is appropriately arranged.

Academic and exam accommodations include an additional step in the interactive process, where students work directly with their instructors to implement approved accommodations in each course.

More information can be found on our Using Your Accommodations webpage and our Exam Accommodations webpage.

Yes. Accommodations may be reviewed and adjusted if a student’s needs change, if new information is provided, or if the current accommodations are not effectively supporting access. Students can contact Student Accessibility Services at any time to discuss updates, concerns, or barriers they are experiencing. SAS will review the situation and determine whether any adjustments or additional steps are appropriate.

Student Accessibility Services (SAS) supports students in the ongoing use and implementation of their approved accommodations. We are available to answer questions, address concerns, and assist when students experience barriers or challenges with accommodation implementation.

In addition, SAS offers a peer mentor program designed to support students in their transition to college and the use of accommodations. Peer mentors are students who have experience navigating accommodations at Iowa State and can provide guidance, connection to resources, and support with self-advocacy and campus navigation.

More information about the peer mentor program is available here.

Student Accessibility Services can share general information about our accommodation process with families. FERPA (the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act) is a federal law that protects the privacy of student education records and limits what information can be shared without student consent.

In college, students remain the primary point of contact and are responsible for engaging in all steps of the accommodation process, including requests, communication, and implementation. Students are welcome to share additional details with their family members as they choose.

In situations where a student has completed a FERPA Release of Information, additional details may be shared if the student is not present. However, a FERPA release does not transfer responsibility for the process to a family member and does not mean all information will be shared.

No. Students must request accommodations directly with Student Accessibility Services. The accommodation process is student-driven and requires the student to participate in the intake process, provide relevant information, and engage in ongoing communication regarding their access needs.

Families may support students by encouraging them to connect with SAS and helping them prepare for the process, but requests and decisions must be completed by the student.

Students are welcome to have a support person, including a family member, present during their intake meeting if they choose. However, the meeting is focused on the students’ experience and access needs, and students are expected to participate directly in the conversation.

Student Accessibility Services will communicate directly with the student regarding all aspects of the accommodation process.

Student accommodation information is protected under FERPA (the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act), which limits how information can be shared.

• Each semester, students choose which instructors are notified of their accommodations. SAS does not share a student’s diagnosis or disability documentation with instructors. Instructors are notified only of the approved accommodations and relevant information needed to provide access in their course.
• Some accommodations may require coordination with campus partners to support implementation, and only the information needed to provide the accommodation is shared.
• Accommodations do not appear on transcripts or academic records. 

In general, individuals outside of the accommodation process, such as academic advisors, do not have access to this information unless the student chooses to share it.

Student Accessibility Services communicates with students throughout the accommodation process using their Iowa State University email. If a student does not yet have an ISU email, an alternate provided email address will be used. Students are responsible for monitoring their email for updates, requests for information, and next steps in the process.

If a student is approved for accommodations, SAS also sends periodic communications, including a monthly newsletter, to their ISU email address to share updates, deadlines, and information on using accommodations.

Students experiencing challenges are encouraged to connect with campus resources that provide academic, personal, and wellness support. Iowa State University offers a coordinated network of support services through Cyclone Support, which helps students identify and connect with the appropriate resources based on their needs.

We also encourage students to explore these resources early and begin using them before concerns become more significant, so they are familiar with available support and how to access it when needed.

Students can explore available support options and request assistance through Cyclone Support here.

Iowa State University offers academic support services through Academic Success Center programs, which provide resources such as tutoring, academic coaching, accountability groups, writing support, and skill-building in areas such as study strategies, time management, and organization. More information can be found through the Academic Success Center here.

In addition, students connected with SAS may participate in the SAS Peer Mentor Program. Peer mentors are students with experience navigating accommodations at Iowa State who can provide support with self-advocacy, organization, campus navigation, and strategies for managing academic expectations. More information on SAS Peer Mentors can be found here.

Students needing medical or disability-related parking may request a permit through Iowa State Parking Services.

CyRide provides accessible, free bus service across campus and Ames, with routes and vehicles designed to support a variety of mobility needs. CyRide is a widely used transportation option for Iowa State students. Learn more here: ISU Cyride

CyRide also partners with Dial-A-Ride (ADA Paratransit), a door-to-door transportation service for eligible individuals who are unable to use fixed-route buses or access destinations not served by a nearby CyRide route. Learn more here: Dial-A-Ride

Student Accessibility Services focuses on providing accommodations to ensure students have access to their education. If a student has course registration concerns, the information below can help identify the appropriate campus resource.

• If a student needs to drop a course or explore substitutions, they should connect with their academic advisor to review options and requirements.
• Incompletes are arranged directly between the student and the course instructor.
• Some students may consider alternative courses, such as sign language, or request a foreign language substitution or appeal through their academic college.
• Students thinking about leaving the university should review options through the Office of the Registrar.
• The Office of Student Assistance can also help students navigate these processes and connect them with the right resources.