Disability Support
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DISABILITY SUPPORT SERVICES
Kansas State University is dedicated to providing equal opportunity and access for every student. Total integration of students with disabilities into the college community is our primary objective.
The staff of Disability Support Services provides a broad range of services in an effort to ensure that the individual needs of each student are met. Our goal is for each student with a disability to have the opportunity to realize his or her greatest potential.
Students served
Support services and academic accommodations are available to students who have disabilities, including:
- Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder
- Blindness or visual impairment
- Brain injuries
- Chronic health impairments such as diabetes, cystic fibrosis, and seizure disorders
- Deaf or hard of hearing
- Learning disabilities
- Mobility impairments
- Psychological disabilities
Get information about documentation required for services and accommodations
Services and accommodations
Shuttle service
A shuttle service funded by the university is available for students with temporary or permanent disabilities. A van, equipped with a hydraulic lift, provides on-campus, building-to-building service.
Learn more about the shuttle service
Accommodations for students with cognitive disabilities
Get information about services for students with cognitive disabilities
Accommodations for students with visual impairments
Services available to students with visual impairments include audio texts, readers, and large-print materials. Priority enrollment is available. Test-taking accommodations are provided and may include a scribe, reader, tests administered with a screen-reading software, and extended time to complete examinations. Assistance will be provided in obtaining audio texts. Requests for audio books should be made in a timely manner. Closed Circuit Televisions (CCTVs) are available in the DSS Testing Center as well as the Adaptive Technology Lab in Hale Library.
Accommodations for students with hearing impairments
Note takers and sign language interpreters may be requested by deaf or hard of hearing students for classes, lectures, and other university-related activities.
Students can obtain assistive listening devices for use in classes from the DSS office. Assistive listening devices are also available at Bramlage Coliseum, McCain Auditorium, Nichols Theatre, and the K-State Student Union.
Text telephones (TTYs) for individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing, or speech impaired are available on campus at the following locations:
- Office of Admissions, 532-6250
- Disability Support Services, 532-6441
- Campus Police, 532-6412
A TTY is available for use in the K-State Student Union, and phones are also available at the front desk in residence halls where deaf, hard of hearing, or speech-impaired students reside. A TTY is also available in the reserves of Hale Library and can be checked out for three-day periods by faculty or friends who wish to communicate with a student.
Accessibility
Most classrooms on the K-State campus are accessible. Any class scheduled in an inaccessible location will be moved for students with mobility impairments upon request. Students are asked to review their class schedules prior to the semester and advise DSS if they need any class relocated. New buildings on campus are completely accessible. Most old buildings have been retrofitted in order to make them partially, if not totally, accessible.
Attendant care
Employment of an attendant is the student's responsibility.
Special dietary needs
Most students with special dietary needs are able to select appropriate foods in university cafeterias. Registered dietitians are available for consultation with students.
Adaptive technology
The Adaptive Technology Lab, located in 213 Hale Library, is equipped with large-monitor computers and a scanner. Software includes screen readers such as ReadPlease and Open Book, which can read text aloud. A CCTV and voice-recognition software are also available. A Speech+ speaking calculator; variable-speed, four-track tape recorder; FM listening device; Arkenstone Reading Machine; and digital VictorReader Vibe players are available from the reserves desk in Hale Library.
The computers in this lab, as well as in all public labs, are equipped with Zoom Text or enlarging software.
Get more information about adaptive technology
Parking
Students wishing to use accessible parking on campus must clearly display both these items:
- A valid disability placard or license plate
- A valid K-State parking permit
When designated parking is not available, holders of K-State and State of Kansas permits for accessible parking may park in metered stalls at no charge or in timed loading zones and service stalls for as long as necessary.
Visitors wishing to use accessible parking on campus must clearly display both these items:
- A valid disability placard or license plate
- A visitor's pass
Visitor's passes are available from Parking Services, 108 Edwards Hall, or from the information booth at the K-State Student Union entrance on 17th Street.
Parking is not permitted in fire lanes, reserved stalls, yellow crosshatched areas, or in a manner that impedes traffic. Under no circumstance should any person park a vehicle on sidewalks, grass, along the road, etc.
Read more about accessible parking at K-State
Housing
Most university residence halls are accessible for students with mobility impairments. Accommodations will be made for students with hearing impairments, visual impairments, and other disabilities on an individual basis. A limited number of adapted university apartments are available in family housing.
Find out more about housing accommodations
Financial aid
K-State offers scholarship opportunities to students with disabilities. Scholarship funding is available to students with disabilities through Educational Opportunity Funds, departmental funds, and private scholarship funds.
All K-State students must complete and submit a K-State scholarship application. Application forms are available from the Office of Student Financial Assistance, 104 Fairchild Hall.
In order to qualify for scholarships, incoming students must be admitted to the university and have completed a K-State scholarship application by November 1. Priority date for current students and transfer students is February 1. Some scholarships require students to submit an essay describing their disability, how it impacts their lives, their need for financial assistance, as well as their future goals. DSS also requests verification of disability from an appropriate professional.
Students with disabilities may be eligible for support through the state's Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) program. Students eligible for this program may be given assistance with tuition, books, and other expenses such as funding for readers and tutors. VR may also help with the purchase of special equipment. Applications should be sent to a VR or Social and Rehabilitation Services (SRS) office in your area.
Read about other scholarships through Disabled Student Services
Getting ready for college
With a little planning, your move to a postsecondary school will be much smoother. You are more likely to succeed in college if you can make the following statements:
I am ready because. . .
- I am considered the person responsible for my college education. I know that as a college student, I will be treated as an adult and will be responsible for arranging accommodations and taking charge.
- I can describe, out loud, how my disability impacts my ability to function in the classroom. I can describe what I can and cannot do because of my disability and what I need to have done to accommodate my disability.
- I am aware of my needs regarding attendant care, medical care, and special housing and have contacted Social Security, Social and Rehabilitation Services, and any other agencies that are necessary to accommodate those needs. I realize that I may require the assistance of others and that it is my responsibility to arrange for that assistance.
- If I use special accommodations to take tests (such as additional time or a reader), I plan to make arrangements to use the same accommodations when I take my postsecondary admissions related tests (ACT or SAT) so that my scores will accurately reflect what I know. I will work with my high-school counselor to make these arrangements.
- I know I have the legal right of confidentiality about my disability. I need not identify my disability to anyone. However, to be eligible for services, I will meet with the director of Disability Support Services to talk about why I need assistance and document my need.
- I have talked to my preferred college about courses they expect I will have successfully completed in high school, and I am academically prepared to enter that school. I realize that not all colleges offer preparatory courses. I am aware of all the college preparatory courses that are offered at the school I want to attend. I realize there is almost no course of study at the college level that does not require college English and college algebra. Avoiding high school English and/or algebra is only putting off what I will have to enroll in and learn eventually.
- If I use a reader or note taker, I can describe how they can be most helpful to me. I can decide whether their help is meeting my needs. I am aware that I need to let these individuals know if my needs are not being met.
- I have the following skills or will get help to learn them: time management, useful note taking, test-taking strategies, and use of computers and the library.
- I have asked questions about receiving financial support for my education by talking to my local Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) counselor. I know what services I am eligible for and how to get access to those services.
Questions about disability support services?
Contact Disability Support Services