SERVICES
Black Hills State University students with disabilities receive accommodation(s) based on their individual disability. Students requesting accommodation(s) are responsible for initiating services by contacting the Office of Disability Services. The first step is to set up an initial intake with the Disability Coordinator. During the initial intake, the student and the Disability Coordinator will complete the interactive process. During this process, it will be determined if or what type of 3rd party disability documentation will be required. It is encouraged to bring any documentation on-hand to the initial intake. 3rd party disability documentation should be provided by a professional (i.e. physician, psychologist, psychiatrist). 3rd party documentation is helpful when it includes information about how the student's disability will affect his/her ability to equally access the educational opportunities, programs, and activities at Black Hills State University. Recommendations for necessary accommodations are also helpful.
In addition to accommodation planning, the Disability Services Office provides direct services in the following areas:
- the transition from secondary to post-secondary
- advocacy
- learning style assessment
- study skill strategies
- self-advocacy training
- assistive technology instruction and access
- referrals and follow-up
The Disability Services Office maintains a close working relationship with faculty members as well as staff from all Student Affairs offices and programs. Our collaborative efforts and resources comprise the comprehensive services necessary for students with disabilities to obtain equal access/accessibility.
REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS
Accommodations are steps faculty, staff, and school administrators take to help remove, whenever reasonable, barriers to participation in the educational experience presented by an individual's disability. This list is not conclusive. Determination and responsibility for provision (including financial) of reasonable accommodation are considered on an individual basis through interactive collaboration between the student, Disability Services Coordinator, faculty, and administration when necessary.
Alternate Format
- Larger font
- Wider spacing
- Alternative answer/scoring sheets
- Colored exam paper
- Braille
Alternate Setting and/or Extended Time
- Typically applies to test-taking
- Distraction reduced environment
- Setting and/or time arranged by student and instructor
Medical/Physical Needs Allowance
- Preferential seating
- Modified classroom furniture and/or equipment
- Faculty approved the extension on deadlines
- Faculty approved attendance adjustment
Auxiliary Aids
- Interpreter
- Reader
- Scribe
- Notetaker and/or instructor notes
- Electronic text or other materials
Assistive Technology
- Software (e.g. screen reader, speech to text, magnification)
- Tape recorder
- Calculator
- Spell-checking device
- Personal Digital Assistant
Course Substitutions
- Course substitution policy for disability services students
Appeals of disability decisions
If a student wishes to file an appeal regarding decisions made by the Office of Disability Services, such a petition needs to be made in writing to Jennifer Lucero, the Coordinator of Disability Services and Testing Center with documented justification for appealing the determination.
Once the appeal has been filed with the Office of Disability Services, an ad hoc Educational Programs Committee will meet to review the appeal. The ad hoc ADA Educational Programs Committee will include the Coordinator of Disability Services and Testing Center plus four additional members related to the area of expertise required by the student petition with two of the committee members representing the faculty. The minutes of this meeting will then be forwarded to the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs to make the final decision.
DISTANCE LEARNING
Black Hills State University is committed to providing assistance and accommodation(s) for qualified students with disabilities who are interested in distance learning.
Direct disability service questions related to distance learning to the Disability Services Coordinator by clicking Inquiry at the top.
DISABILITIES SERVICES TESTING PROCEDURES
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- Students need to contact Jennifer Lucero in the Office of Disabilities Services at 605.642.6099 to make arrangements for accommodations with testing.
- Students must provide each instructor with an accommodation notice signed by the Coordinator of Disability Services every semester.
- Students must make an appointment with the Testing Center for their exams as soon as possible. Space and staff are limited, and appointments will always be honored before walk-ins. The student must inform their instructor of the time of their appointment to ensure that the exam reaches us in time.
- Faculty need to bring, email or mail the exam to the Testing Center. Fill out and attach a Disabilities Testing form.
- The Disabilities Testing form must include instructions; i.e. time allowed, closed book/note, calculator allowed, etc.
- Faculty must note on the Disabilities Testing form how they want the exam returned. Faculty can leave their campus mail number to have the exam sent back through university mail, or they can pick up the exam in person.
NOTE: Students are not allowed to return the exams themselves, nor are student workers allowed to pick up the exams unless it is approved by the faculty giving the test.
