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The Office of Disability Support Services determines appropriate academic adjustments such as program and exam modifications, classroom accommodations and auxiliary aids.

Students with disabilities are responsible for self-identification prior to requesting services and may do so at any time by presenting documentation to their campus coordinator.

Our goal

The goal of the VCU Disability Support Services (DSS) Office is to assist Virginia Commonwealth University in creating a learning environment where all students have equal access to every aspect of the University's programs, services and activities. We cooperate through partnerships with students, faculty and staff to promote students' independence and to ensure the recognition of students' abilities, not disabilities.

Our objectives

• Provide support services to students with disabilities, including but not limited to advocacy, adapted materials, alternative testing, and career advising.
• Make recommendations for program accommodations in accordance with recent documentation.
• Assist the University in complying with the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.
• Provide liaison activities between faculty and students with disabilities.
• Maintain and protect the confidentiality of student records as required by law and university policy.
• Provide technical assistance to University departments.
• Serve as an information and referral service on disability related issues by providing current and accurate information regarding disability related products, programs and services to current students, prospective students, faculty and staff.
• Consult with public school special education personnel, rehabilitation or high school counselors, parents and prospective students concerning the University's services for students with disabilities.
• Provide an open and welcoming atmosphere by creating a place for students to meet, share, study, organize and obtain information related to disability related issues and opportunities.

Disability Support Services will not

• Perform psycho-educational diagnostic assessments.
• Offer self-contained classes or training programs for students with learning disabilities.
• Ask faculty to compromise the quality of instruction or evaluation or sacrifice academic standards.
• Provide persons with disabilities personal devices or assistance for personal use. This includes but is not limited to wheelchairs, eye glasses, hearing aids, transportation, personal assistance for eating, dressing or other personal services or readers or scribes for personal use.