Request Accommodations

Step 1: Request for Accommodations Form

The first part of this process is to self-identify as a student with a disability requesting accommodations. Self-identify means the student recognizes they have a disability and would like to request accommodations. Student’s attending a post-secondary institution are responsible for identifying themselves to Accessibility Resources, as a person with a disability. To begin this process, complete the Request for Accommodations form online.

Step 2: Intake interview

In order to evaluate accommodation and service requests, Accessibility Resources will need information about how your disability is likely to impact you here at MSUM. We want to understand the relevant impacts of your disability on tasks like communication, reading, writing, housing, technology, dining, the physical environment, classroom and laboratory and on line learning, etc. Information on the impacts of physical (mobility, dexterity, endurance, etc.), perceptual, cognitive (attention, distractibility, communication, etc.), and behavioral abilities may be helpful as well.

The Intake Interview is a critical step toward determining eligibility. Once a student has completed and submitted their Request for Accommodation form, the Director of Accessibility Resources (AR) will email them to set up this interview. The purpose of the interview is to learn first-hand what functional limitations the student is experiencing and what accommodations they will need. This interactive process allows both the student and the Director of AR to work together to determine the most appropriate accommodations. This interview can be completed any time after the Request for Accommodations Form has been submitted.

Step 3: Providing disability information/documentation

Any information/documentation students can readily share during or prior to the first meeting is helpful and can save the need for follow up meetings with Accessibility Resources. Accessibility Resources recognizes that barriers exist and can create hardship for students with regard to having and presenting third party disability documentation.

Accessibility Resources may ask for additional documentation concerning your disability and/or the need for accommodations. If such documentation is necessary, it will be limited to the need for the accommodation requested. We will consider any information, including but not limited to, your description of your needs; records of past accommodations and services from high school, another college, state or high stakes testing organization; formal psychological or medical evaluations, and letters from past health, education or service providers. If you would like additional information, the Documentation Guidelines provide more details.

These general guidelines were developed to assist you and those in your support network to prepare this information so we can evaluate your request and make recommendations. The information contained from the student’s interview and in the information/documentation will be used to determine eligibility. Appropriate accommodations will be based upon a student’s disability and individual needs. Please don’t delay meeting with us out of concern for not having appropriate paperwork.

All information submitted to Minnesota State University Moorhead’s Accessibility Resources becomes part of a student’s “educational record” as defined by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).

During this time of COVID-19, it is preferred that you submit documentation via email to Accessibility Resources. You can also submit information or documentation to Accessibility Resources by:

Email: Accessibility Resources
Fax: 218.477.4366
Mail: Accessibility Resources, P.O. Box 12, Moorhead, MN 56563