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Services for Students with Disabilities

Prospective Students

Student walking from library

The office of Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) requires Fresno State students to follow the outlined procedures below to establish academic accommodations and services. More information is provided below on Applying for Services with SSD, please contact the SSD office by email at ssdstaff@mail.fresnostate.edu or by phone at 559-278-2811 for more information.

Apply for Services 

Students must complete an mySSD Online Application prior to scheduling their intake meeting to set up academic accommodations. It is the responsibility of the student to make their disability status and need for accommodation known to the university.  The following are the steps students can take in order to receive accommodations while at Fresno State.

  • Students must complete an mySSD Online Application.  Documentation or information regarding the disability from a doctor, practitioner, or other qualified individual should be uploaded to the application.  IEP/504 plan documents may be considered based on content.
  • Make an appointment for an initial interview with an Access Specialist (AS). When you meet with the AS, you will discuss the functional limitations you may experience while on campus and different accommodations that may be helpful to you.
  • Additional appointments may be necessary for training and orientation in using specific accommodations to best serve the student.

 

First Time Freshmen and Transfer Student

  • The student should make sure to sign up for the University DOG DAYS new student orientation program. For more information on DOG DAYS please visit the DOG DAYS website.
  • Once the student has registered for Dog Days orientation, they should complete an SSD online application. Documentation or information regarding the disability from a doctor, practitioner, or other qualified individual should be uploaded to the application. IEP/504 plan documents may be considered based on content.
  • Make an appointment for an initial interview with an Access Specialist (AS). When you meet with the AS, you will discuss the functional limitations you may experience while on campus and different accommodations that may be helpful to you.
  • Additional appointments may be necessary for training and orientation in using specific accommodations to best serve the student.
  • Please Note: If the student has a visual impairment or learning disability that requires textbooks in alternate formats, they should schedule an appointment with an Access Specialist soon after attending Dog DaysDays so textbook arrangements can be made prior to the start of the semester.


DIFFERENCES BETWEEN HIGH SCHOOL AND A UNIVERISTY
Description Secondary Education Post Secondary Education
Federal Laws
  • Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
  • Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.
  • The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA).
  • Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.
  • The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA).
Purpose of legislation
  • To ensure that all eligible students with disabilities have available free and appropriate public education (FAPE).
  • To ensure that no otherwise qualified person with a disability be denied access to, or the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination by any program or activity provided by any public institution or entity (504/ADA) *Also secondary.
Eligibility
  • For special education services
  • All infants, children, and youth (0 through 21 years) with disabilities (as defined by the state Administrative Rules for Special Education, and/or the ADA.
  • For disability services
  • Anyone who meets the entry level-age criteria of the college and who can document the existence of a disability as defined by Section 504 and ADA.
Documentation (Please note: For certain national or standardized exams at the collegiate level, an IEP from High school may not be sufficient documentation.)
  • School districts are responsible for providing trained personnel to assess eligibility and plan educational services.
  • Students are responsible for obtaining disability documentation from a professional who is qualified to assess their particular disability.
Receiving Services
  • School districts are responsible for identifying students with disabilities, designing special instruction, and/or providing accommodations.
  • Students are responsible for telling Disability Services staff that they have a disability, and for requesting accommodations for each class. Accommodations (not special education) are provided so students with disabilities can access the educational programs or courses used by other students.
Self-Advocacy
  • Students with disabilities learn about their disability, the importance of self-advocacy, the accommodations they need, and how to be a competent self-advocate.
  • Students must be able to describe their disability, identify strengths and weaknesses, and identify any accommodations needed and how to be a competent self-advocate.

 

Services Provided

Academic Accommodations and Sevices

Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) provides a wide range of academic accommodations to students with verified disabilities who have registered with the SSD office. Services for each student are determined on a case-by-case basis. The following are examples of some of the accommodations that may be provided.

Students will meet with an Access Specialist (AS) to determine which accommodations will best support their specific needs and develop an accommodation plan of resources that will be available to them when needed.

The office of Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) and faculty members have the responsibility to facilitate and uphold your academic accommodations, and it is your responsibility as a student to register with SSD and request accommodations.

Students are responsible for:

  • Self-identifying that he/she has a disability.
  • Enaging in the interactive process with an Access Specialist.
  • Providing appropriate documentation of a disability that is acceptable within the guidelines established and followed by the Services for Students with Disabilities office.
  • Requesting the necessary accommodation from Services for Students with Disabilities, the entity on campus that is designated to determine academic accommodations for disabilities.
  • Requesting Faculty Notification letters from the office of Services for Students with Disabilities in advance of the need for accommodations.
  • Behaving appropriately as outlined in the campus Code of Excellence for students.
  • Complying with all guidelines and timelines designated by the faculty, staff, and administrators unless verified extenuating circumstances occur.

 

Admission Appeals

All applications for admission are reviewed in accordance with CSU admission policy. Denials of admission are made after an extensive review of academic qualifications.  If you have applied to Fresno State and were denied admission and you believe this is due to your disability, you may seek consideration for an Undergraduate Admissions Appeal review by completing the Undergraduate Admission Appeal form.

Having a disability and obtaiing an undergraduate appeal review for special consideration for admissions does not guarantee admission.  However, there are cases in which admission is granted. If you feel that you were unable to meet certain admission criteria based on disability and would like supporting documents to verify your disability please contact Services for Students with Disabilities to (559) 278-2811 to schedule an appointment with an Access Specialist.

Appeals must be submitted in writing within 15 days of the date on the 'missed deadline' or 'denied' notification.

Please include your Fresno State ID number in any emails to our office.  Complete appeal packets will be reviewed and a decision may take a minimum of 4-6 weeks.  Incomplete packets will not be considered. Only one appeal may be submitted for an academic term.

Undergraduate Admission Appeal.

All appeals must be submitted to:
Undergraduate Admissions
5150 North Maple Avenue, MS JA 57
Fresno, CA 93740-8026

Questions can be submitted via email to admissions@csufresno.edu

Prospective graduate students who wish to appeal must visit the Division of Research and Graduate Studies for additonal information.

For more information, please visit SSD’s Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) or contact the SSD office by email at ssdstaff@mail.fresnostate.edu or by phone at 559-278-2811 for more information.