The CDR works with graduate and undergraduate students with various types of disabilities including learning, physical, hearing, visual, psychological, and chronic medical conditions.
Illinois Institute of Technology does not inquire or require students with disabilities to disclose their disability status on the admissions application. Decisions around disability disclosure are personal ones, which should be carefully considered. Once students are admitted and enrolled, they should contact the CDR to begin the registration process to ensure that accommodations and services are in place for the start of their courses.
Registration includes submission of both the Application for Accommodations and Services and disability documentation (see documentation guidelines). There are separate application forms for undergraduate and graduate students.
After review of a student's application and relevant documentation, CDR staff will meet with the student to discuss accommodations and services. The CDR works with students with various types of disabilities including learning, physical, hearing, visual, psychological, and chronic medical conditions.
The CDR offers a variety of support services to its students with disabilities, including individual consultation and skill building workshops that address time management and organizational skills.
All of IIT's programs and activities are accessible to people with disabilities. If a particular program or activity is scheduled for a venue that is not fully accessible, it is IIT's policy to relocate such events to accessible facilities that meet the needs of the individual student. CDR works closely with students to ensure that their residence halls and classrooms meet their access needs. Prospective students and their families visiting the campus may arrange for an Access Tour through the CDR.
The following information is geared primarily toward families of undergraduate students. While much of the information is still relevant, please contact the CDR for further information on how you can support your graduate student.
In high school, teachers or other school personnel identified students who were in need of services, provided free assessments, and developed Individualized Educational Plans (IEP's) based on these assessments. These plans may have included a modified curriculum, specialized instruction, tutoring, academic accommodations, and other individualized services.
In contrast, post-secondary education requires students with disabilities to be much more self-directed about gaining access to the key accommodations they need. While K-12's emphasis is on ensuring students' success, post-secondary disability services is focused upon "leveling the playing field" for students with disabilities so that they have equal opportunity and equal access. With these important distinctions in mind, the following represent key features of the Center for Disability Resources at Illinois Institute of Technology.
- Students must self identify to the CDR to request accommodations.
- Students also must provide reasonable accommodations of their condition/disability. Colleges are not responsible for assessing or determining students' disability status or related needs. Colleges also have the right to set reasonable standards regarding the type of documentation needed / required and can further require that such documentation be current.
- Higher education institutions, including IIT, review students' documentation and determine their disability-related needs for academic adjustments and reasonable accommodations.
- Reasonable accommodations coordinated by the CDR for eligible students include extended time on exams, note taking services, textbooks and other materials in an alternate format, sign language interpretation, and transcription services.
- Students are expected to follow the established procedures for receiving reasonable accommodations in order to maintain their eligibility for such accommodations.
- The CDR consults with faculty and/or students' academic programs to ensure that accommodations do not modify the fundamental nature of these programs.
Please note: Individualized services and tutoring are not considered reasonable accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the two laws which govern the provision of accommodations at the college level.
This website is full of information for students and parents to assist with the transition from high school to college.
This link from the Office for Civil Rights is a good place to start for answers to questions about the legal differences between high school disability services and college disability services.
This link from the Office for Civil Rights provides information about how parents can assist their child with the transition to college.
Illinois Institute of Technology students with disabilities have the right to equal access to all programs, facilities, and resources offered by the university. Furthermore, they have the right to make self-directed decisions about their participation in all aspects of university life. With these principles in mind, the CDR works closely with IIT students with disabilities to ensure their equal access, to promote their independence, and to support them in their efforts to make informed academic and personal choices. More on Rights and Responsibilities.
The Center for Disability Resources strives to encourage independency and self advocacy in their students. Under no circumstances can the CDR discuss CDR-registered students without formal written consent from that student.