This week I was asked to write about disability services for our student veterans. At first I was stuck trying to think of how the process would be any different for this population. Then I realized that qualifying for disability-related accommodations is no different for a veteran or non-veteran student.

Students who have a condition which significantly alters one or more major life activity, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (which can be found on the ADA.gov website), may qualify for academic accommodations or adjustments. Typically, the order of events goes like this:

1. Student self-identifies to my office (or to someone else at NMC who then refers) and makes an appointment.
2. I meet with the student and collect documentation to verify the condition. Examples of acceptable documentation are on our website.
3. Through conversation with the student and careful review of the supporting documents, reasonable accommodations are approved.
4. Notice is sent to instructors and the student.

The American Council on Education has this document titled Accommodating Student Veterans with Traumatic Brain Injury and Post-traumatic Stress Disorder: Tips for Campus Faculty and Staff. It contains very helpful information regarding the symptoms of both of these conditions.

There are times when our student veterans are not asking me for formal accommodation. I have been asked several times be their point of contact for Veteran’s Administration (VA) related absences. If that is the case with one of your students, you might receive an email from me like this:

I am writing to let you know that you have a student with a documented disability in (Course name here). (Student name here) has applied for services from my office and qualifies for the following accommodations:

• While there are no formal accommodations at this time, (the student) has asked that I let you know he will occasionally need to miss class due to appointments with the Veterans Administration. As you may know, veterans have no choice as to when they are ordered to appear at these VA appointments, some of which are all the way in Saginaw. (The student) is committed to communicating his schedule with you and will complete his work ahead of time, whenever possible.

So, if you have a student asking you for an accommodation, student veteran or otherwise, refer him or her to my office and we’ll get the process started. Soon after I meet with the student, you’ll receive an email listing the approved accommodations.  Remember, these students are not students with special needs. They are students who need access.