Getting Started with Disability Services

Welcome to Disability Services (DS)

Registering with Disability Services is a student-driven and confidential process designed to better understand how your disability may impact you in the university environment and to identify reasonable accommodations that support your individual needs. (Academic Accommodations Policy) 

We encourage students to begin the registration process after being accepted and committing to attend ETSU so accommodations can be in place when classes begin. There is no deadline to register. However, decision times can vary depending on time or year and completion of the full process.  

Below, you’ll find simple steps to get started, including how to apply, how to submit documentation, how to prepare for a meeting with a Disability Services staff member, and how to request Student Accommodation Letters (SALs) for your courses. 

Who Can Register

• Students with documented permanent or temporary disabilities
• Undergraduate, graduate, professional, and clinical students

Students may register after acceptance or at any point while enrolled 

• Step 1: Start a New Student Application

  • Complete the New Student Application in the Student DS Portal 
  • Students may start, pause, and return to the application at any time 
• Step 2: Upload Documentation

  Before you submit:

  • Documentation is required as part of completing your application.
  • If documentation is not uploaded, your application will be saved as a draft and will not be submitted at this time. You may return to complete it later.  

  SPECIFIC REQUESTS MAY REQUIRE ADDITIONAL FORMS:

  
  Emotional Support Animal (ESA):

  • Please provide the ESA Healthcare Provider form to your appropriate healthcare provider.

  Meal Plan Accommodation:

  • Please provide the Meal Plan Healthcare Provider form to your appropriate healthcare provider. 

  If you cannot upload documentation through the portal, you may submit it by: 

  • Email
  • In person
  • Mail
• Step 3: Intake Appointment

  • Once documentation is received, our office can schedule your intake appointment.
  • A conversation with a Disability Services staff member about:
    • How your disability impacts you as a student
    • What accommodations may be helpful 

  Appointments will be communicated via email from ETSU Calendar (calendar.etsu@dsaim.com) 
• Step 4: Review and Determination of Reasonable Accommodations

  • Documentation and intake information are reviewed
  • Accommodations are determined on an individual basis
  • Students are contacted with their approved accommodations 
• Step 5: Request Student Accommodation Letters

  • Students must request Student Accommodation Letters (SALs) each semester
  • Requests are made through the Student DS Portal the first week of classes or as soon as approved for accommodations
  • SALs are sent to instructors