Counseling Center

Disabilities

“About 20% of the U.S. population has a disability according to estimates by the Census Bureau” (McNeil, 1997, 2001, as reported in Ekstrom & Smith, 2002, p. 3). Although, there are numerous categories of disabilities (as well as innumerable subcategories), a disability is generally considered to be a physical and/or mental impairment that substantially limits a major life activity. Physical impairments include issues that affect mobility (e.g., use of a cane or walker; use of a wheelchair; etc.) and sensory (e.g., sight; hearing) limitations. Mental disabilities include learning disabilities, some degenerative neurological conditions (e.g., multiple sclerosis; Alzheimer’s disease), and some emotional and/or psychological problems.

For most people, a disability can be sufficiently managed so that it does not prohibit the pursuit of most educational goals. In fact, many colleges and universities have specific offices dedicated to facilitating the provision of support and the implementation of appropriate accommodations for students with disabilities, so that these students can succeed academically. However, in most cases, it is up to the student to act as his or her own advocate. This means that it is the responsibility of the student to seek out the necessary resources, and to take advantage of the accommodations offered. The first step in this process is typically to make contact with college or university’s disability support services office. In most cases, students will be asked and/or required to provide documentation of their disability, before any accommodations will be provided. Therefore, it is in the student’s best interest to make contact with this office as soon as possible, and to provide the office with documentation of his or her disability. This documentation should be completed by an appropriate, qualified professional, and it should include accurate, current diagnostic information specifying the diagnosis and describing the impact the disability has on the student’s functioning; that is, how the disability substantially limits the student in an educational setting. Official documentation may include a comprehensive psychological or neurological report, vocational rehabilitation documentation, or medical records. The type of documentation required will vary according to the student’s disability. Although it is likely that the disability support services office will work cooperatively with the student to arrange for any appropriate accommodations/support, it is the student’s responsibility to ask specifically for these services. It is important that the student continue to advocate for him or herself in an active, ongoing fashion. In addition to seeking the appropriate services, this includes continual education about his or her rights and responsibilities. The links below are provided as an initial resource to begin this process.

Help at SIUC

Disability Support Services (DSS), Woody Hall, Room B-150, 618-453-5738,
Student Health Center, 1st Floor, Student Health Center building, 618-453-3311,
University Affirmative Action Office, Anthony Hall, Room 110, 618-453-1186,
University Ombudsman, Woody Hall, Room C-302, 618-453-2411
Information Technology, Northwest Annex A, Room 137, 618-453-6221,
University Housing, 707 South Washington, 618-453-2301,
Counseling Center, 2nd Floor, Student Health Center building, Room 256, 618-453-5371,
Clinical Center, 141 Wham, 618-453-2361
Clinical Center Achieve Program, Northwest Annex C, Mail Code 6832, Southern Illinois University, 618-453-2369
Office of Supplemental Instruction, Woody Hall, Room A-210, 618-453-2422,

Help in the Carbondale Community

Links to Additional Resources
General:

Sight & Hearing

Physical & Neurological Disabilities

Learning Disabilities

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