Division of Student Affairs > Student Services > For Specific Populations > Students with Disabilities

Students with Disabilities

The Center for Students with Disabilities (CSD) coordinates DePaul University's provision of accommodations for students with documented disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.  

Students seeking accommodations must first be admitted to DePaul University through the standard admissions process. Admitted DePaul students with a documented permanent or temporary disability are encouraged to self-identify and request enrollment with the CSD.

​Resources

Students seeking accommodations are encouraged to begin the enrollment process as early as possible. The CSD receives a high volume of requests. In fairness to all students the CSD reviews completed enrollment applications and contacts students in the order received. CSD staff do not review requests nor conduct enrollment meetings during midterms and final exams. It is during this time that all CSD staff are fully committed to currently enrolled CSD students.

The following steps must be completed before eligibility for CSD enrollment can be determined. All information provided to the CSD is confidential in accordance with  university policies and procedures as required by law.

  1. Complete the Enrollment Request Form. Every student's situation is unique. This is your opportunity to express personal strengths and challenges. Students are strongly encouraged to upload supporting documentation from qualified professional when completing the Enrollment Request Form. Please contact the CSD if you need assistance completing the Enrollment Request Form.
  2. Request documentation from a qualified professional.
    Relevant documentation will vary depending on the nature of a student's disability(s). There are several documentation submission options including: submission of a written statement; photocopies of relevant medication records; and/or completion of the CSD Disability Information & Verification Form. Documentation must be current and relevant. Submitted documents are not determinative of accommodations. If needed the CSD may request additional documentation and/or clarification. 
  3. The CSD staff will review your submitted materials.
    This is a critical step in the enrollment process. CSD staff thoroughly review all submitted materials. CSD staff may determine that additional information is needed. CSD staff may need to contact your service provider or request additional documents from you.
    The turnaround time for the CSD enrollment steps varies depending on the time of the year and the complexities of student needs. The CSD staff are always mindful to be thorough while processing applications as quickly as possible.
  4. Attend a meeting with CSD staff.
    This meeting is an interactive process to discuss your academic challenges and successes. Reasonable accommodations and/or services are established collaboratively and approved by the CSD.

Reasonable accommodations are provided so that a student with a disability will have equal access to academic and campus sponsored activities.

Accommodations are individualized based on the nature of a student's disability(s). Accommodations may not be the same as those received in a prior educational setting. The CSD considers the student's disability, history, experience, request and the unique characteristics of courses, programs, and requirements when determining appropriate reasonable accommodations. Examples of CSD accommodations include:

  • Adaptive equipment
  • Assistive technology
  • Braille
  • Closed caption real-time translation
  • Course selection consultation 
  • On-Campus Dining Accommodations
    -Students who have dietary restrictions due to allergies/disabilities, must submit to the CSD the Disability Information and Verification Form (DIVF).  Please contact the CSD to obtain the form.
    -Upon receipt and review of the DIVF, the CSD will confirm with Dining any need for accommodations.
    -Dining will work directly with the student to discuss and finalize meal plans.
    -Visit Dining's Food Allergies & Dietary Restrictions page

  • On-campus housing accommodations
    -Students seeking housing accommodations should register with the CSD and Student Housing Services prior to June 1 to increase the likelihood that accommodations can be provided
  • Enlarged print
  • Exam proctoring in a distraction-reduced environment
  • Exam reader
  • Exam transcriber
  • Extended time on exams
  • Faculty consultation
  • Preferential seating 
  • Priority registration
  • Real-time captioning
  • Sign language interpreting
  • Student advocacy

Please note: This is not an exclusive list of accommodations.

The CSD offers a variety of assistive technology resources. Equipment is loaned to qualified CSD students. Students are responsible for the care and return of all equipment. Examples include:

Alternate Text Format

  • Kurzweil 3000
  • Access Text
  • Bookshare

Text to Speech

  • Dragon Speaks

Note Taking

  • Smart/Echo Pen
  • Digital Recorder

Hearing Supports

  • Communication Access Real-time Translation
  • Sign Language Interpreter

Visual Supports

  • Ruby Handheld CCTV
  • Braille Translation
  • Zoom Text Software

Education Support Services is not a CSD accommodation but is a fee-for-service available to CSD students who wish to further develop their academic skills. Learning Specialists and Educational Support Specialist meet regularly with students to develop executive functioning skills and self-advocacy strategies that support DePaul’s expectations of academic success.

All Learning Specialists and Education Support Specialists hold advanced degrees in special education or related disciplines and have substantial experience working with the varied needs of students with disabilities.

Education Support Services fees are billed directly to the student's account for any quarter in which the service is used.

Be successful throughout the year! Follow this checklist within the first week of each quarter and you ill have an excellent start!

  • Review the quarter's Academic Calendar: Note important dates in your calendar (i.e. last day to add or withdraw from classes, due dates for tuition payments, registration dates for the upcoming quarter).
  • Check your "Contact Permissions" tab in the CSD database: Make sure that your permissions accurately reflect your choices for the quarter. See Student Instructions for CSD Access for detailed instructions. 
  • Inform ALL of your professors that you are a CSD student: Send your professors an email or schedule an appointment to meet in person. Your professors want to support you! 
  • Are you taking an online course? Email your professor if you plan to use your extended time accommodation for online exams. The online coordinator sets the exam time mechanism in accordance with your professor's approval.
  • Review the course syllabus:  Make certain that you clearly understand all course requirements. Write assignment, exam and quiz due dates in your calendar.
  • How much time do you need to work on assignments and study for exams? Make a schedule. You can always modify it as needed.
  • Is your computer compatible with course requirements? Does your professor use D2L, My MathLab or other online features as a part of the course? Take initiative and get acquainted with any new programs.
  • Arrange for any assistive technology loans: Schedule an appointment with the CSD graduate interns at either campus.
  • Submit request for alternate formats of any textbooks: This is best done before the quarter begins. It takes time to order and receive alternate versions from publishers. Remember that you must first purchase the book. Both Lincoln Park and Loop offices can assist you with these arrangements.
  • Submit all exam/quiz proctoring requests in Campus Connect: The majority of professors have all quiz and exam dates listed on their syllabus. The CSD encourages you to schedule all posted exams and quizzes during the first week of every quarter. Exams must be scheduled at least 5 weekdays or more in advance.
  • Contact CSD as soon as possible if you ever need assistance: You are responsible for initiating and utilizing any approved accommodations and services in accordance with CSD policies and procedures.

Scholarships: Information regarding scholarships for students with disabilities is located on DePaul's Financial Awards page, click here for DePaul's general scholarships page. Information is updated throughout the year.

DePaul Career Center: Provides resources for students to launch their professional career. Information is updated throughout the year. 

Workforce Recruitment Program (WRP): A recruitment program that connects employers with college students and recent graduates looking for summer and/or permanent employments.

Career Opportunities for Students with Disabilities (COSD): Assists college students and recent graduates to acquire the tools necessary to secure a career.

AbilityLinks: This is a web-based community where job seekers with disabilities and employers network with one another. 

Lime Connect: Scholarships, internship and job opportunities offered throughout the year.

We encourage individuals who believe they have been subjected to discrimination, harassment or retaliation to report what happened.

Here is the link to the reporting process when the complaint involves faculty or staff:
https://offices.depaul.edu/human-resources/employee-relations/equal-opportunity/Pages/Discrimination-and-Harassment.aspx

When the complaint involves another student here is a link to report the concern:
https://offices.depaul.edu/student-affairs/about/departments/Pages/dos.aspx


FAQ​

The CSD reviews documentation in the order that it was received and experiences an influx of enrollments at different points throughout the year. Once all of your documentation has been submitted, you can expect to be contacted for an enrollment meeting within two weeks.

An accommodation removes a barrier to access and is determined on an individual basis after reviewing documentation of disability and an interview with the student. When enrolling with CSD, it is not necessary to know specific accommodations you are seeking but it is helpful to have a good understanding of your strengths and weaknesses so that CSD staff can consider the supports that may be beneficial to you.

All students seeking accommodations should complete the Enrollment Request Form along with documentation of disability from a qualified professional. Acceptable documentation can include the Disability Information & Verification Form, IEP/504 plans, or neuropsychological examinations. If you are unsure if the documentation you have is sufficient, please contact csd@depaul.edu.

No, once you complete your enrollment meeting, you will remain active with our office for the entire time you are enrolled at DePaul.

Students with temporary conditions may be eligible to receive academic and co-curricular accommodations and should complete the enrollment process to see if they are needed. If the temporary condition only impacts your attendance in a course, you should contact the Dean of Students to review the Absence Notification Process.

The CSD works collaboratively with DePaul Housing to provide accommodations to students with documented need. Students should complete the CSD enrollment paperwork and provide documentation that directly connects their disability with the need for accommodated housing. Please note that housing at DePaul is limited. CSD will provide recommended accommodations to DePaul Housing who will make the final housing decision. Students should complete their registration with the CSD and Student Housing Services prior to June 1 to increase the liklihood that accommodations can be provided.

Accommodations can be used on the day you are enrolled in CSD and forward. Issued accommodations are not retroactive and cannot be used to support courses or coursework already completed.

Yes! The CSD works to primarily issues reasonable accommodations to those with documented disabilities. Aside from CSD, there are a wide variety of services aimed at helping all students at DePaul succeed. Here are several resources to explore:

·         Student Services

·         Student Success

·         Tutoring

·         CDM Tutoring

Some of your professors may ask that you document your absence(s), regardless of your CSD accommodations. If you miss classes for a documented reason, you should contact the Dean of Students office so that they can assist you with communicating with your instructors. To do so, please click on the link below to the Dean of Students page to guide you through the process. As you complete the online form, be certain that you inform the Dean of Students of any accommodation that you may have through the CSD which pertains to absences.

Absence Notification | Academic | Student Services | Division of Student Affairs | DePaul University, Chicago

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Have a Question?

CSD staffs are happy to assist you. Please email the CSD@depaul.edu or telephone 773-325-1677 (Lincoln Park) or 312-362-8002 (Loop) for  assistance

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