Disability Services

 The Academic Success Center (A.S.C.) coordinates all disability services for students at the University of Dubuque. The A.S.C. can be a helpful resource to students with disabilities.  At any point in the school year, the A.S.C. staff are available to meet one-on-one with students to discuss questions or concerns, as well as work with students to develop strategies that can enrich academic progress.  

 The  A.S.C. staff members will assist students and faculty members by verifying documented student disabilities, recommending accommodations, and providing any requested information on disability related issues.  Student accommodations will be provided on an individual basis only after the appropriate current documentation has been provided to the A.S.C. Director by the student.  Once the documentation has been received by the A.S.C. Director, an individual meeting will occur to review the recommendations made within the documentation.  Common accommodations include extended time for testing, testing in a quiet location, note taking assistance and books in an alternative format.

 WHAT STUDENTS NEED TO KNOW ABOUT DISABILITY SERVICES:

 Prior to your first appointment with the disabilities services staff, it is essential that you gather the necessary paperwork to document your disability.  The information required will include a diagnostic evaluation (often referred to as a psycho-social evaluation).  Students who were enrolled in disability services during high school should be able to obtain copies of the testing by contacting their former school or their former Area Education Association.  Students who did not receive disability services in high school but are requesting accommodations in college will need to contact an outside agency or evaluator to complete the necessary diagnostic testing.  

 Diagnostic testing must have been completed in the past three years, and if that documentation can be provided from your previous high school, then a new evaluation is not needed.  You can refer to the AHEAD LD documentation guidelines or the ETS (Educational Testing Services) page for AD/HD documentation guidelines.  In general, diagnostic testing must:

 1. Be done by a qualified professional;

 2.  Show scores from tests administered as well as justification for accommodations;

Interested individuals can contact Jennifer Erickson (563-589-3570 or jgericks@dbq.edu) or Megan Ruiz (563-589-3757 or MkRuiz@dbq.edu) to schedule an appointment.