1. Should I tell about my disability on my application to college?
You are not required to disclose your disability at any time and the college is prohibited by Federal law from asking you about a disability on the application form. If you believe your disability has had a negative impact on your grades and test scores and, thus, those scores do not truly reflect your ability to do college level work, then it might benefit you to explain that to the admission officer or committee. However, this is a personal decision that you should also discuss with knowledgeable folks such as your parents, school counselor, vocational rehabilitation counselor, or even someone at the college. Often, once a student has been accepted, the college will give incoming students information regarding the office or offices that provide services for students with disabilities as well as time frames for requesting accommodations. It is, then, up to you to contact the appropriate officials if you feel you will need services.
2. Where do I go to get tested for a learning disability or ADD?
If you regularly see a family doctor, ask him or her if they can make a referral to someone that can provide you with the appropriate testing. You may also contact the Office of Disability Services for a recommendation. You can go online and research possibilities through the Learning Disabilities Association of America, http://www.ldanatl.org/
3. Campus transportation says they won’t give me a ride to my apartment. It’s right near campus – why not?
As the name implies, campus transportation usually only works on campus. The college is mandated by Federal law only to ensure that the transportation system it utilizes is accessible to persons with disabilities. If the system does not provide everyone transportation to off-campus locations, then there is no requirement to provide such service to people with disabilities. However, it is always a good idea to discuss the issue with the Office of Disability Services. There may be alternatives available or modifications that could be made and that office might be able to negotiate that with you.
4. Can I have my therapy animal with me in my dorm room?
As established by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), service animals shall not be excluded from University facilities or activities.  The ADA defines a service animal as: “any animal individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including, but not limited to, guiding individuals with impaired vision, alerting individuals who are hearing impaired to intruders or sounds, providing minimal protection or rescue work, pulling a wheelchair, or fetching dropped items.” To work on campus, a service animal must be specifically trained to perform a service function.  If an animal meets this definition, it is considered a service animal regardless of whether it has been licensed or certified by a state or local government or a training program. Service animals whose behavior poses a direct threat to the health or safety of others or is disruptive to the campus community may be excluded regardless of training or certification. The guidelines below have been developed with the understanding that most service animals working on the college campus will be dogs.  If another kind of animal is to be employed as a service animal on campus, the person with the disability should contact the office of disability services as soon as possible to explore any additional health or safety concerns. *Types of Service Animals: 1.  Guide dogs = carefully trained dogs that serves as a travel tool by persons with severe visual impairments or who are blind. 2.  Hearing dogs = a dog who has been trained to alert a person with significant hearing loss or who is deaf when a sound e.g. knock on the door, fire alarm 3.  Service/Support Dog = A dog that has been trained to assist a person who has a mobility or health impairment.  Types of duties the dog may perform include carrying, fetching, opening doors, ringing doorbells, activating elevator buttons, steadying a person while walking, helping a person while walking, helping a person after the person falls, etc. 4.  SsigDog = A dog trained to assist a person with autism.  The dog alerts the person to distracting repetitive movements common among those with autism, allowing the person to stop the movement (e.g. hand flapping). 5.  Seizure Response Dog = A dog trained to assist a person with a seizure disorder; how the dog serves the person depends on the person’s needs.  The dog may stand guard over the person during a seizure, or the dog may go for help.  A few dogs have somehow learned to predict a seizure and warn the person in advance. *Procedures and responsibilities for the students using service animals must be obtained at the Office of Disability Services. *Service animals may not reside in University Housing without expressed approval of University Housing. 
5. My doctor says I should get unlimited time for taking tests. The disability office says I’m allowed time and a half – why? The college has the responsibility under Federal law for ensuring access to their programs and activities by students with disabilities. Often, the disability services office is delegated the authority to make decisions on what is regarded as reasonable adjustments to ensure equal access because they have the knowledge, credentials, and experience to do this. The office often uses medical or other professional documentation provided by the student as a basis for making such decisions but they are not required to follow exactly the recommendations made in the documentation provided. If you feel the decision is not fair or appropriate, you may utilize the college’s appeal process or file a complaint with the Office for Civil Rights.
6. My professor refuses to give me my accommodations; what can I do? You should discuss the issue with the college’s Disability Services Office. The processes and procedures used by colleges for providing accommodations vary greatly but all are directed towards ensuring equal access to their programs for students with disabilities. The office can guide you through the appropriate actions you need to take or they may need to intercede. You may need to utilize the college’s appeals process or file a complaint with the Office for Civil Rights, both of which are processes that are generally used if all other avenues have failed.