Frequently Asked Questions

• Taking a Test?

  For Students 

  Our test scheduling process is now online!

  Students with testing accommodations, please fill out this form.

  Please do not fill out this form if you do not have testing accommodations. This form should be filled out at least three business days prior to the test. This gives our office time to communicate with your professor and make any additional arrangements. Requests filled out less three buesiness days prior are not guaranteed.

  Please contact our office at ssd@colum.edu, 312-369-8296, the day before the test to confirm that your testing accommodation is all set.   

   

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  For Instructors 

  Our test scheduling process is now online!

  SSD will email you after the student makes us aware of an upcoming test; however, you are welcome to fill out the form ahead of time if you wish.

  Please complete the following form here.

  If the test is on Canvas, click the following link for a guide on changing an assessment’s duration: Canvas Time Adjustment Guide. 

  This new testing procedure is intended to make the process easier! By streamlining the test scheduling forms you used to receive, we hope to serve you and your students more efficiently. 

  We will scan completed in-person assessments and email them back to you.

• I can't find the forms I need!

  Here are many of the forms you may need when registering with SSD.

  • Verification of Disability (To submit this form properly you must download it first)
  • Documentation Guidelines
  • FERPA Release

   

  Petition for Exception to Scholarship Full Time Status Requirement

  Recipients of renewable Columbia scholarships who are unable to register full-time due to a medical circumstance or disability may submit a petition by filling out the ADA Scholarship Exemption Form to request an exception to the full-time enrollment requirement of their scholarship(s). Students will be considered if they have Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accommodations on file with Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD). Approval is based on SSD’s review of these accommodations and the Scholarship Committee’s review of students’ accounts. An exception is not guaranteed. Please note that the form link may only be active during some parts of the year as a reflection of any related deadlines. If you have any questions about filing a Petition for Exception, please reach out to College Advising (collegeadvising@colum.edu) or the SSD office.

   

  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: 

  1. The online Application for Services on MySSD. You will be required to use your Columbia College Chicago credentials.  
  2. Please use our Instruction Guide to help with the application.

   

  1. The Verification of Disability form.
  2. 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.  
  3. Once completed, you will need to submit it via MySSD as part of your application. 
  4. 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. 

• Documentation Guidelines

  Please review the documentation guidelines to learn about the types of information that must be submitted to be considered eligible for services through SSD.
  Be sure to read the general guidelines and specific guidelines related to your disability. 

  We also have a list of Off-Campus Providers should you need more affordable options for diagnoses or other services. (informational)

• Why haven't I been contacted for an intake yet?
  Documentation 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.
• Are there any scholarships for students with disabilities?
  You can view information about Scholarships on our Resources page.
• General FAQs

  ADA Accessible Restrooms: Click me to view a spreadsheet of all accessible restrooms on campus.

  Who is eligible for accommodations?

  All currently enrolled students with a 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

  
  

  What kind of accommodations are available for students with disabilities?

  Here are some of the more common accommodations:

  • Extended time for exams and quizzes
  • Reduced distraction testing room
  • Notetaker
  • Preferential seating
  • Permission to record lectures
  • Sign-language interpreters (see also Interpreting Services)
  • Alternative formats for class materials
  • Others

   

  
  How do I start receiving services?

  See our guide on how to apply for accommodations!

   

  Once I am registered with SSD, what do I need to do to receive accommodations each semester? 

  The process to request your accommodation letters and have them set 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, check SSD's homepage and click the middle box that says "Current SSD Students" or follow this guide!

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

   

  Why should I register with SSD?

  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 decide to pursue accommodatoins later on.

   

  What if I don't have documentation for my disability?

  You can view our list of Off-Campus providers under "Resources".

   

  How do I upload documentation to MySSD?

  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 

  
  

  Once I am registered with SSD, how do I receive accommodations each semester?

  The process to request your accommodation letters and have them set 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.