Steps to Connect with Student Accessibility Services

IMPORTANT: Please note that you should not delay meeting with us due to documentation concerns. Our first priority is meeting with you! Our staff will discuss appropriate documentation during your Welcome Meeting.

Complete the Student Accommodation Request form to begin the process. New students must provide documentation in the form of our Disability Verification form completed by a licensed professional (such as a medical provider, physician, therapist, etc) that has an established relationship with the student.

If you are unable to meet with your provider in a timely manner, we will accept alternative documentation temporarily until the form can be completed. Please review our Helpful Documentation Guidelines for examples of types of documentation that is accepted. If you are requesting an emotional support animal for housing, please visit our Animal on Campus policy for additional information prior to submitting your request. Documentation can be uploaded to the Student Accommodation Request Form prior to submission, submitted via fax at 785.670.1056, or emailed directly to our office at accommodations@washburn.edu.

For information regarding specific accommodations such as housing or dining, please visit our Accommodations page for more information.

After submitting your Student Accommodation Request Form and medical documentation, you will receive an email to schedule a welcome meeting with a member of our professional staff. Meetings are offered in person, Zoom, or via phone. You are welcome to bring anyone with you to the meeting for support.

If you are an incoming first year student, we recommend waiting until you attend a New Student Orientation or after to meet with our staff.

IMPORTANT: Please note emails from SASO will only be sent to your Washburn (first.last@washburn.edu) email account. Monitor your account for more information.

Welcome meetings are scheduled through the Navigate link included in the email sent to you after the completion of the Student Accommodation Request Form. If you did not submit medical documentation when you completed that form, please bring it with you to the welcome meeting so we can review it. During this meeting, we will discuss potential disability related barriers you have experienced, history of accommodations, reasonable accommodations in a higher education setting, and discuss next steps. Based on the discussion, SASO staff may request additional documentation if deemed necessary.

If you need any accommodations to attend your welcome meeting, please contact accommodations@washburn.edu at least one week prior to your meeting.

Once approved for accommodations, you and your enrolled faculty will receive an email at the beginning of the semester detailing the accommodations. Faculty are required to sign the accommodation letters to acknowledge they have received the notification. You will also receive a "Student's Responsibilities" email that will detail your accommodations and provide instructors for the Accommodate Student Portal.

We ask that you renew your accommodations at the start of each semester that you require them. A reminder email will be sent out prior to each semester prompting you to complete the renewal process. You DO NOT need to submit new medical documentation for a semester renewal UNLESS you are requesting new/additional accommodations.

Denials

If the submitted medical documentation does not support the accommodation(s) requested, the accommodation may be denied. In case of a denied accommodation, you may decide to appeal the decision. Please see the SASO Appeals Process for more information.

The Student Accessibility Services Office (SASO) utilizes Accommodate for managing and implementing your accommodations. If it is your first time logging in, please view our helpful tutorial video or PDF instructions that are listed below.

If you have been approved for accommodations please login to your Accommodate Portal where you can do the following:

• Renew semester accommodations (Please view our helpful instructions on renewing your semester request)
• Review your accommodations letters to ensure accuracy
• Schedule testing accommodations with SASO (video for setting up tests and appointments with SASO staff)
  • Reminder-you cannot cancel or reschedule your exams in the portal (exceptions for finals week) without contacting SASO at 785.670.1622. You must also communicate with your faculty if you need to reschedule or cancel an exam.
• Request changes to approved semester accommodations based on new diagnosis or new need.
  • Reminder: New requests may require additional medical documentation prior to processing