Disability Support Services

Usable, Equitable, Inclusive and Sustainable Learning Environments

Disability Support Services (DSS) is committed to creating an inclusive campus through Universal Design and by supporting students, faculty, and advisors in implementing academic accommodations.

We work with students to ensure equal access to programs, services, and learning environments across campus.

When to Contact Disability Support Services

New/first-time students registering with Disability Support Services

It is highly recommended that requests for disability-related programs and services be made as soon as you are an enrolled student by completing the “First-Time Disability Support Services Users (Students Only)” link above. If you are taking a placement test at UW-Superior before you’ve decided to attend, you may also reach out for testing accommodations via email to [email protected].

When you register for Disability Support Services, you will need to do three things:

Complete the online intake/public accommodation form (through UW-Superior Accommodate).
Check your UW-Superior email to get the Medical or Mental Health Provider Form. This form must be completed by your provider. It includes instructions for your provider on how to return the form to us.
Once your intake is complete (when we have your intake and supporting documentation), your accommodations will be approved. You can then request your semester-specific accommodations.

Current students (already registered with DSS)

Currently enrolled students will use UWS Accommodate to request accommodations each semester. Students who have already completed the intake process and need to request accommodations can do so by logging into UWS Accommodate with their UW-Superior credentials online. Please not that accommodations do not automatically roll from semester to semester; you must request them for each semester.

Parents and Family

DSS staff are happy to answer general disability questions but cannot share student-specific information with anyone other than the student. Unlike high school, student disability files (or Individualized Education Programs or 504 Plans) do not follow university students throughout their university careers. University staff do not know about or automatically accommodate student disabilities unless the student discloses them. It is important that students lead this process.

Faculty and Staff

If a student discloses a disability to you, please refer them to the DSS website or staff immediately. Students that are new to DSS can complete the intake and registration process online by going to the First-Time Disability Support Services Users (Student Only).

Using Accommodate

Accommodate is a system that helps students easily request and manage accommodations, as well as effectively interact with DSS.

Watch this video to learn how to use the Accommodate System.

Civil Rights and the Student’s Responsibility

Although civil rights laws provide access to resources and accommodations for students with disabilities, it is the student’s responsibility to disclose their disability to DSS and work with DSS to speak with the student’s professors about the limitations of their disability and necessary accommodations.

Additional Information

Mission, Vision and Goals

How Disability Support Services (DSS) Supports the University’s Mission
The University of Wisconsin-Superior fosters intellectual growth and career preparation within a liberal arts tradition that emphasizes individual attention and embodies respect for diverse cultures and multiple voices.
To fulfill this mission, DSS recognizes that disability reflects diverse characteristics and experiences, and is an aspect of diversity integral to society. To that end, we collaborate with students, instructors, staff, and community members to create usable, equitable, inclusive and sustainable learning environments.

Disability Support Services (DSS) Vision
The DSS vision is to be known as a service that is part of a larger university community where disabilities are neutralized through the adoption of Universal Design. Through this Universal Design, where services are integrated and provided to all throughout the campus, only unique and uncommon accommodations will be provided/coordinated through DSS. This is our vision.

Disability Support Services (DSS) Goals
To ensure that students with disabilities have equal access to all UW-Superior programs, services, and activities
To help coordinate disability-related campus policies and procedures
To help foster a campus community that is responsive to persons with disabilities, through direct support, as well as technical assistance, information and referral
To encourage students with disabilities to become self-advocates in order to be able to participate actively in decisions regarding their reasonable accommodations and resources
To provide students opportunities that address universal access to curricular and co-curricular experiences, networking, and career goal development

Emotional Support Animal

Review the UW-Superior Emotional Support Animal/Assistance Animal Policy. All students requesting an emotional support animal/assistance animal must have their medical or mental health provider complete the UW-Superior UW-Superior Emotional Support Animal/Assistance Animal Policy and Provider Form.

Disability Organizations and Resources

Organizations
AHEAD
American Psychological Association
ETS
ETS Psychiatric Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Guidelines
ETS Psychiatric Disability Guidelines
Learning Disabilities OnLine
National Attention Deficit Disorder
Office of Civil Rights (OCR)

Wisconsin System/State/Federal
Department of Public Instruction
EEOC
State
U.S. Department of Education (OCR)
U.S. Government Disability Information
UW System Policy Governing World Wide Web Accessibility at UW-Madison