Student Accessibility Services
The Office of Student Accessibility Services (SAS) is located in the Student Services Office in Founders Hall and provides assistance to students with varying degrees/types of disabilities in order to maximize educational opportunity and academic potential.
Mission
SAS provides access and support by removing barriers and empowering students through education, collaboration, and advocacy.
Vision
To advance the holistic success of students with disabilities by creating intentionally designed physical, educational, and interpersonal experiences.
Types of disabilities that qualify for services include, but are not limited to:
- Visual, hearing and speech
- Specific learning disabilities such as ADD/ADHD/SLD
- Chronic health disorders
- Psychological disabilities
- Physiological disorders
- Temporary disabilities
The Americans with Disabilities Act stipulates that students must advocate (self-identify) for themselves, not through their parents or any other agent. Colleges and universities provide appropriate accommodations to enhance access. Unlike high schools which are regulated under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) colleges do not provide curricular modifications. The applicable laws for higher education are the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. Follow this link to explore comparisons between IDEA and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and ADA and check out the SAS Handbook here.
Accommodations are based upon appropriate medical, psychological and/or educational documentation. New students should apply for services four to six weeks prior to the beginning of a semester so there is time to arrange accommodations. Accommodation determinations are based on dialogue with the student and on documentation provided. We get information about students in three ways: the Access KSU student application, meeting with the student, and information from your high school or other providers. We may ask for documentation from a mental health or medical provider if we need more information. If you do not have appropriate documentation already, you may use this Disability Verification Form which is completed by a medical or mental health professional.
SAS supports students in their right to file a grievance when they believe they have been denied equal access or have experienced discriminatory harassment as defined in the University's nondiscrimination policies, Ohio Revised Code 4112, Sections 501 & 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 or the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Complaints should be immediately brought to the attention of SAS staff. The SAS Office will serve as the University's primary point of contact in initially reviewing student disability related matters. Review a copy of the Grievance Procedure.
The facilities of Kent State Tuscarawas are accessible to persons with disabilities. Handicapped parking is available in Lots 'A' and 'C' near Founders Hall, and also near the main entrance to the Science and Advanced Technology Center. If accommodations are requested for special events or meetings, please give advance notice by contacting the event sponsor or contacting SAS at tuscsas@kent.edu or contacting the Affirmative Action Facilitator at ldonley@kent.edu.
For questions about student accessibility services, please contact Jennifer Greer at tuscsas@kent.edu or 330-308-7476.
Access KSU
Access KSU is a Web-based tool for students registered with Student Accessibility Services that allows you to electronically email accommodation letters to your professors. General guidelines and step-by-step tutorials for accessing Access KSU are provided below:
ACCESS KSU GUIDELINES:
- Once you have completed your registration with SAS, you will be able to login to Access KSU with your Flashline login credentials. You will then update or edit your profile, register your semester classes, request accommodation letters, and schedule exam or quiz appointments (if applicable).
- You must request accommodation letters each semester through Access KSU in order to access your accommodations. Please make sure to request your accommodations in a timely manner as some accommodations require advanced preparation and planning.
- Professors are not obligated to provide you with classroom accommodations if you have not provided your accommodation letter.
- Accommodation letters will be emailed to you and to your professors one week before classes begin, or upon your request through Access KSU.
- It is also important to remember that if you drop or add a class throughout the semester, you are responsible for updating the class information in Access KSU.
- SAS recommends that you meet with your professors at the beginning of each semester to discuss your accommodation needs for the class. Make certain that you are familiar with the syllabus and the course requirements so that you can address any questions or concerns you may have regarding the application of your accommodations. Please remember that you do not need to identify the nature of your disability to your professors; however, many students have found it helpful to discuss their specific learning styles with their professors.
Access KSU TUTORIALS:
- Requesting your Accommodation Letter
- Checking the Status of your Accommodation Letter Request
- Modifying your Accommodation Letter Request
HOW TO REQUEST YOUR ACCOMMODATION LETTER(S):
Step 1: To request accommodation letters for your classes, please go to Access KSU.
Step 2: Log into Access KSU using your Flashline username and password information.
Step 3: Once you have successfully logged in, click "List Accommodations" on the left menu bar. Choose the term for which you are requesting accommodation letter(s). Next, enter your Course Registration Numbers (CRN) for the classes in which you will be requesting accommodations (CRN’s are located on your semester schedule which you can access from your Student Account in FlashLine). Then, click "Continue to Customize Your Accommodations".
Step 4: Select the accommodation(s) that you would like to request for each class. Then, click "Submit Your Accommodation Request". Your semester accommodation(s) detail will be displayed and your accommodation letter(s) status will show as “processing”.
Step 5: Please check your profile in Access KSU in one business day to verify that your request(s) has been approved. Once SAS completes your request(s), your accommodation letter status will show as “approved” and your accommodation letter(s) will be emailed to your professors.
Learn How to Request Your SAS Accommodations
If you need assistance please feel free to contact SAS at tuscsas@kent.edu.
HOW TO CHECK THE STATUS OF YOUR ACCOMMODATION LETTER REQUEST:
Step 1: To check the status of your accommodation letter request(s), please go to Access KSU.
Step 2: Log into Access KSU using your Flashline username and password information.
Step 3: Your accommodation letter request(s) and status will be displayed on the “overview” page of your “dashboard” or you may click "List Accommodations" on the left menu bar. The current term will be displayed; however, if you would like to view accommodation letters for a different semester click, "Previous Term" or "Next Term" until you reach the semester you want to view. Once SAS completes your request(s), your accommodation letter status will show as “approved” and your accommodation letter(s) will be emailed to your professors.
If you need assistance please feel free to contact SAS at tuscsas@kent.edu.
HOW TO MODIFY YOUR ACCOMMODATION LETTER REQUEST:
Step 1: To modify your accommodation letter request(s), please go to Access KSU.
Step 2: Log into Access KSU using your Flashline username and password information.
Step 3: Your accommodation letter request(s) will be displayed on the “overview” page of your “dashboard” or you may click "List Accommodations" on the left menu bar. Next, click "Modify Request" located next to the title of the class in which you want to modify your accommodation letter. Once you have made your selection(s), click "Update Request". If you wish to cancel your accommodation letter request(s), click "Cancel Request".
Step 4: Please check your profile in Access KSU in one business day to verify that your request to modify and/or cancel your accommodation letter request(s) has been approved. Once SAS completes your request(s) your accommodation letter status will show as “approved” and, if applicable, your updated accommodation letter(s) will be emailed to your professor(s).the Student Services
If you need assistance please feel free to contact SAS at tuscsas@kent.edu.
SAS Testing Services
Students who receive testing accommodations must request their Course Accessibility Letter prior to scheduling an exam with Student Accessibility Services (SAS). All exam appointments should be scheduled at least 2 business days prior to the date of the exam by the student with SAS, via email tuscsas@kent.edu. When the student is scheduling their test, please include course number, course title, instructor name and the date and time you would like to take the test. Hours for testing with SAS are Monday through Friday from 7:45 am – 4:45 pm.
Students requesting to test with SAS must coordinate with the instructor and SAS so that the test will be available for proctoring. Once the student schedules their exam with SAS, the student will need to reach out to the instructor to let them know the date and time the test is schedule with SAS. The instructor will then submit the exam and instructions to SAS via email tuscsas@kent.edu or drop off in Student Services Office Founders Hall.
Any incidents of improper test taking, as defined by the University’s Policy of Student Cheating and Plagiarism, will be handled as if the incident occurred in the classroom. Please note that SAS will report violations to the instructors and may also report violations to the Office of Student Conduct.