Request Accommodations
Students with disabilities who need accommodations at Texas Tech University can register with Student Disability Services after being admitted to the university. Accommodations are determined individually based on the student's disability-related needs, supporting documentation and information provided during the SDS intake process.
Registering with SDS is separate from applying for admission to Texas Tech. SDS does not participate in university admission decisions, and requesting accommodations does not affect a student's admission status.
Students should apply for SDS services at least 10 days before accommodations are needed. Incoming students are encouraged to begin the process earlier when possible so accommodations can be established before classes begin.
Who Can Request Accommodations
Texas Tech students with disabilities may request reasonable accommodations when a disability creates barriers to accessing courses, programs, services or other university activities.
Students must be admitted to Texas Tech and have an eRaider account before applying for SDS services. Incoming students may begin the SDS process after accepting their offer of admission.
Students may request accommodations for a variety of disabilities and conditions, including:
- Learning disabilities.
- Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.
- Autism spectrum disorder.
- Psychological disabilities.
- Medical or chronic health conditions.
- Mobility or physical disabilities.
- Deafness or hearing loss.
- Blindness or low vision.
- Other disabilities that substantially affect access to university programs or activities.
Students with short-term injuries or conditions may also be eligible for temporary accommodations.
How to Request Accommodations
Registering with SDS involves four main steps.
- Be admitted to Texas Tech. Complete the university's regular admission process and accept your offer of admission. SDS does not make or influence admission decisions.
- Complete the SDS application. Sign in to the secure AIM system using your Texas Tech eRaider username and password and complete the application for services.
- Submit supporting documentation. Upload documentation that helps SDS understand your disability, its functional impact and the accommodations you are requesting.
- Complete an intake meeting. After your application and documentation are reviewed, your assigned SDS case manager will contact you regarding an intake meeting.
Your application is not complete until SDS has received the information needed to review your request.
Documentation
Students are responsible for providing documentation that supports their request for accommodations. Documentation should help SDS understand the disability and the functional limitations affecting the student's access to the academic environment.
A diagnosis alone does not automatically establish eligibility for a particular accommodation. SDS considers the student's documentation, disability-related barriers, accommodation history and information provided during the intake process.
Documentation should be uploaded through the secure AIM portal when you apply for services. If you are unable to upload your documentation, contact SDS for assistance.
Do not send disability documentation to your instructors. Disability documentation is maintained by SDS and is not included on your academic transcript.
When to Submit Documentation
SDS accepts documentation throughout the year for currently enrolled students and incoming students who have accepted their offer of admission.
Students should submit documentation early enough to allow time for review, the intake process and implementation of approved accommodations. Documentation submitted during the final week of classes is processed for the following semester.
Your Intake Meeting
After SDS receives and reviews your application and supporting documentation, you will be assigned a case manager. Your case manager will contact you regarding an initial intake meeting.
During the intake meeting, you and your case manager will discuss:
- Your disability-related barriers and functional limitations.
- Your previous experience with accommodations, when applicable.
- The demands of the college academic environment.
- The accommodations supported by the available information.
- How to request and use approved accommodations at Texas Tech.
- Any additional SDS services or resources that may be helpful.
Reasonable accommodations are determined individually. An accommodation received in high school or at another college does not automatically mean the same accommodation will be approved at Texas Tech.
Student Participation
The student is responsible for communicating with their SDS case manager and participating in the accommodation process.
Parents or family members may support a student through the transition to Texas Tech, but they cannot complete the SDS process or schedule the intake meeting on the student's behalf. A parent or other support person may participate in portions of the intake meeting with the student's consent.
After You Are Approved
Once accommodations are approved, your case manager will explain how to request and use them.
Academic accommodations are communicated to instructors through a Letter of Accommodation, or LOA. Students must request their LOAs through AIM for each semester and each course in which they plan to use accommodations.
After requesting an LOA, students are responsible for communicating with their instructors about how approved accommodations will be implemented.
Some accommodations require additional steps. For example, accommodated testing, supplemental note-taking assistance, sign language interpreting and realtime transcription require additional coordination.
Incoming & Newly Admitted Students
If you received accommodations in high school, you do not need to wait until classes begin to contact SDS. Once you have been admitted to Texas Tech, accepted your offer of admission and received your eRaider credentials, you can begin the SDS application process.
Starting early gives you time to:
- Gather and submit documentation.
- Complete your intake meeting.
- Understand how accommodations work in college.
- Learn how to request Letters of Accommodation.
- Discuss additional arrangements such as housing, dining, interpreting or accessible materials when needed.
Housing & Dining
Students who need disability-related accommodations in university housing or dining should begin that process as early as possible. Housing accommodations depend on individual need and the availability of appropriate housing.
Housing & Dining Accommodations
Priority Registration
Incoming students are not eligible for SDS priority registration for their first semester. Students registered with SDS may become eligible for priority registration for a future term after enrollment.
Priority registration does not override registration holds, course prerequisites, closed courses or other enrollment requirements.
Accommodations in College
The accommodation process in college is different from the process students may have experienced in high school. Students are expected to identify themselves to SDS, request accommodations and participate directly in managing those accommodations.
Reasonable accommodations are intended to provide equal access. They do not change the essential academic requirements of a course or guarantee a particular academic outcome.
At Texas Tech:
- Students initiate the accommodation process.
- SDS determines reasonable accommodations based on individual disability-related needs.
- Students decide when to request their approved accommodations.
- Students communicate directly with instructors about implementing their LOAs.
- Disability information is maintained confidentially by SDS.
- Accommodations provide access without changing essential academic requirements.
Ready to Get Started?
Complete the SDS application through AIM and upload the documentation you currently have. If you have questions about the application or are unsure what documentation to provide, contact Student Disability Services.
Student Disability Services
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Address
130 Weeks Hall, MS 45007 | Lubbock, TX 79409 -
Phone
806.742.2405 -
Fax
806.742.4837 -
Email
sds@ttu.edu