Communicating with DSS
Students currently receiving academic accommodations through Disability Support Services, and faculty who have students with accommodations, should communicate with DSS in the following ways:
Telephone: 509-359-6871
If the phone goes to voicemail, please leave a message with your full name, student ID#, and phone number. All voicemail will be checked regularly throughout each business day.
DSS email: dss@ewu.edu
DSS staff continuously monitor all email and voicemail and will respond as soon as possible and no later than the next business day. Each call and email will be responded to in order of urgency.
What Accommodations Will I Receive If Classes Are Online?
Many types of accommodations are not typically applied to online courses because online classes allow students to have the ability to access those classes 24/7. Please review the information below for each accommodation type:
Alternative Format Texts
To gain access to the electronic format of a print version book for class, please provide a complete Alt. Text Request Form and a copy of your purchase receipt to our office via email using dsstextbooks@ewu.edu and dss@ewu.edu. You will receive a message in your student email directing you to log into Canvas so that you can download the digital version of your textbook once it is available.
Equipment
FM Receivers, microphones, recorders, SmartPens, ergonomic computer equipment, and other equipment that are currently checked out, and no longer needed, should be returned as soon as possible if not needed for the next quarter/semester. Due dates for equipment will be extended in the event of campus closure but there will be no new equipment loans while the campus is closed.
Notetaking & Lecture Capture
An accommodation for note takers, or permission to audio record lectures, does not apply for online format classes, because the posted material can be re-read, re-listened to, and re-watched again and again in Canvas. However, if the course has live lectures, please notify DSS immediately so that we can arranged a note-taker.
Accommodated Tests
Students will still be provided with alternative testing accommodations even if classes and exams are provided online, but these tests should not need to be taken in person at the DSS Testing Center. All exams should be able to complete remotely for online format classes.
If faculty require students to utilize an online proctoring service DSS will share information on that process on a case-by-case basis.
Interpreting & CART
If a class utilizes lecture videos, these materials need to include captioning or transcriptions. Depending on the material in these courses, DSS may work closely with students and faculty to provide access to other communication accommodations. Please contact DSS immediately if online course materials are currently inaccessible and need alternative formats.
Other Accommodations
As always, if a student is experiencing any new, or additional challenges with an online class, an adjustment to accommodations can be requested. Any accommodation adjustment must be directly related to a student’s disability. DSS will schedule an appointment with any student requesting an adjustment to their existing accommodation plan.
Students with a medical diagnosis or concern that presents a higher likelihood of requiring additional time spent in quarantine, please contact the DSS office to make specific arrangements for your classes in advance.
If you are concerned about any particular accommodation, please call or email DSS and make sure to include the students's full name and student ID number. Including this information will assist DSS staff to better serve you.
Disability Parking Services
Students in need of additional information for both temporary and long-term parking permits can visit the Parking Office's website by clicking the link below.
Helpful Links
This is a compilation of links and resources helpful to students with disabilities.