Services for Students with Disabilities

Apply for Accommodations

To register with SSD, simply follow our 3-step process!

1. Visit MySSD to complete the application. If you need help, check out this guide or the video below (the tab called "Video: How to Apply for SSD Accommodations")

2. Use our documentation guidelines to submit the proper documentation on MySSD.

3. Once everything is reviewed, our office will schedule an intake!

Documentation submitted in the Spring for the Fall semester will be reviewed beginning in June, in the order in which it was received.

Documentation submitted within 30 days of the start of any semester may take approximately 3 weeks to review due to the volume of applications received.

Already registered in our office? Visit the "Current SSD Students" page here!

• Video: How to Apply for SSD Accommodations
  
  
• Accommodation Eligibility

  All currently enrolled students with an invisible or visible disability are eligible for services. A disability is a mental or physical impairment that substantially limits an individual's ability to perform one or more major life activities. Some disabilities may include (but are not limited to):

  Attention-Deficit/Hyperactive Disorder Learning Disability Communication Disorder

  Psychological/Emotional Disability Deafness/Hard-of-Hearing Blindness/Visual Impairment

  Here are some of the more common accommodations:

  • Extended time for exams and quizzes
  • Reduced distraction testing room
  • Notetaking support
  • Preferential seating
  • Permission to record lectures
  • Sign-language interpreters (see also Interpreting Services)
  • Alternative formats for class materials
  • Many more!
• Non-Academic Accommodations

  Animals on Campus

  Applications and documentation submitted after the deadline will be reviewed but there is no guarantee that the request will be approved.

  Fall Semester: For an animal in the fall, applications have a deadline of May 1.

  Spring Semester: For an animal in the Spring, applications have a deadline of November 1.

  • Assistance  Animal Policy and Acknowledgement and Release of Information Consent Form to be reviewed, and then signed and dated by you.
  • Assistance Animal in Housing Verification Form,   
    • Please note that this form must be completed by your current doctor, therapist or other reliable licensed third party who can verify that you have a disability and your disability-related need for an assistance animal. 
  • Assistance Animal Housing Request and Registration Form, which should include:
    • Current Vaccinations.
    • Vet Records.
    • Photo of Animal.
    • Photo of Kennel/Cage/Carrier.

  Housing

  Columbia College Chicago provides reasonable housing accommodations to students with disabilities who have a verifiable need for the accommodation.  A reasonable accommodation is an exception to the usual rules, policies, practices or services that a resident with a disability may need to have an equal opportunity to use and enjoy college housing.    

  To begin the process, you need to complete the following: 

  • The online Application for Services on MySSD. You will be required to use your Columbia College Chicago credentials.  
  • Please use our Instruction Guide to help with the application.
  • The Verification of Disability form.
  • This form is to be completed by your doctor, therapist or other reliable licensed third party who can verify that you have a disability and your disability-related need for a housing accommodation to provide you with an equal opportunity to use and enjoy college housing.  Your provider should include as much information as possible and at a minimum, sufficient detail showing a clear nexus between the functional limitations/impacts experienced by you due to your disability and the need for the requested accommodation for equal access to housing.  
  • Once completed, you will need to submit it via MySSD as part of your application. 
  • You can also submit any other documentation that you would like our office to review.  If you need classroom accommodations, please review our Documentation Guidelines for the type of documentation needed and contact our office regarding any questions.   

  After we receive your application and documentation, our staff will review it and then contact you with questions and to schedule an Intake appointment. The intake appointment allows us to discuss with you your disability and what accommodations and other supports we can put in place to assist you.  

  Note: Housing accommodations are based upon first come, first served and available inventory at the time. We encourage you to submit your application and documentation as soon as possible.  

  If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us. 

• Disability without Documentation

  Click here for a short, helpful list of off-campus providers.

  Feel free to contact Counseling Services for a more comprehensive list of service providers.

• Uploading Documentation

  If you have started an application and want to upload further documentation: 

  • After completing the MySSD application, you should have received an email with the subject line "[SSD] Message from SSD- Documentation Received" with a link that says "Upload Documentation."
  • If you cannot locate this confirmation email, please contact the SSD offices at SSD@colum.edu.

  If you are already registered with the SSD office: 

  • Log in to MySSD (See Items 1 through 5 of the Returning Students Guide to Requesting Accommodations)
  • On the left-hand side, in the home menu, click on "Request to Modify Your Accommodations."  
  • Click the "Submit Request to Modify Your Accommodations" button.  
  • There will be 3 questions to answer. Please be as detailed as possible in your responses. 
  • Click the "Submit Application" button. 
  • This next page should provide the option to upload additional documentation. When possible, please name your file something that will help us quickly identify what piece of documentation it is. 
  • If you are unable to upload your documentation on your own, please contact the SSD offices at SSD@colum.edu 
• Will I need to reapply each semester?

  You won't need to reapply, BUT you have to request your letter on MySSD for EVERY semester!

  The process to requesting and sending your accommodation letters to your instructors is completely digital to make things easier for students! Each semester, SSD students must initiate the request for their semester-specific accommodation letters to be sent to their instructors through our online database system, MySSD. Once a student requests their accommodation letters, the SSD office will send them to their instructors electronically, via email.

  To request your accommodation letters, visit the Current SSD Students page. There is a step-by-step instruction guide there to help you request your letters.

  Accommodations are effective upon receipt of the semester-specific accommodation letter by the instructor.  They are not retroactive.

• Why should I register with SSD?

  You deserve equal access to the classroom! Registering with SSD ensures that you'll have the support you need to succeed.

  It is recommended that all students with disabilities provide documentation to SSD, even if they do not choose to request any services. Providing documentation enables SSD staff to act more efficiently and knowledgeably on a student’s behalf, should the need arise and should the student request this.