Frequently Asked Questions for Faculty

Q - What is the Office of Disability Services (ODS) and what do they do?
The Office of Disability Services (ODS) is a department at Tennessee Technological University under Student Affairs that is dedicated to providing services to students with documented permanent or temporary disabilities. Our goal is to ensure equal access to all university programs. Our functions include but are not limited to proctoring tests, providing adaptive technology demonstration/orientation, and consulting with university faculty and staff on disability-related matters.

Q - What constitutes a Disability?
As defined in the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, a disability is a mental or physical impairment which substantially limits one or more major life activities. If there exists a mental or physical condition, a history of such a condition, or a condition that may be considered by others as a substantially limiting, then you may have a legally defined disability.

Q - What does "substantially limiting" mean?
According to Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, "substantially limiting" is defined as being unable to perform a major life activity, or being significantly restricted as to the condition, manner, or duration under which a major life activity can be performed, in comparison to the average person or to most people.

Q - What is a "major life activity?"
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, defines a major life activity as caring for self, performing manual tasks, walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing, learning, and working.

Q - What is "appropriate documentation?"
Acceptable documentation must reflect the following:

• Specific diagnoses supported by documentation;

• A current diagnosis (in most cases within three years);

• Specific findings in support of all diagnoses including relevant history, tests administered, test scores (including subtest scores), test results and interpretations;

• A description of the student's functional limitations and how the limitations are directly related to the stated disabilities;

• Specific recommendations for academic adjustments in curriculum, instruction and testing, including an explanation of why these specific academic adjustments are needed;

• Documentation on letterhead, typed, dated and signed with the evaluator's name, address, telephone number (in the event that the office needs to contact them) and professional credentials relevant to the diagnosis.

Q - What kinds of academic adjustments are available?
Academic adjustments include, but are not limited to, testing adjustments, adaptive technology services, and assistance in arranging other support services (e.g., interpreters, notetakers, scribes, and readers).