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Accessibility & Accommodations

Northwest Missouri State University is committed to providing students with disabilities an equal opportunity to participate in the University’s programs, courses and activities. Title IX and Equity, Accessibility and Accommodations, provides learning and living accommodations at no cost to any student who has a documented disability as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. 

What is Considered a Disability?

A diagnosed disability is a condition that substantially limits "major life activity," such as walking, hearing, seeing, speaking, breathing, or learning. ADA laws protect:

  • Visual impairments (legally blind, progressive vision loss, etc.)
  • Deaf or hard of hearing
  • Mental/Emotional health conditions (depression, anxiety, bipolar, OCD, personality disorders, etc.)
  • Learning disabilities
  • ADD/ADHD
  • Brain injuries, epilepsy
  • Autism, Asperger's Syndrome
  • Mobility (paraplegia, multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, spina bifida, etc.)
  • Other (cancer, diabetes, food allergies, etc.)

If you have a disability that you think would qualify for a living or learning accommodation, please complete the accommodation application and provide supporting medical documentation, or contact ada@nwmissouri.edu.

How to Request an Accommodation

To make a formal request for learning or living accommodation(s) to Title IX and Equity, Accessibility and Accommodations:

Students self-disclose the need for an accommodation, and must complete and then submit the fillable form below. Students must also submit separately (ada@nwmissouri.edu), supporting documentation about your disability from your health or counseling professional. For more information please see the documentation guidelines in the section Disability Documentation and Requirements.

Accommodation Application

Types of Accommodations Provided

Title IX and Equity, Accessibility and Accommodations provides a range of reasonable accommodations, including, but not limited to: 

  • Test accommodations (examples: extended time, minimal distraction, reader)
  • Note taking assistance (computer usage or lecture recording)
  • Assistance with hearing 
  • Referrals to other services and programs

Students with approved accommodations are eligible for early registration.

Disability Documentation and Requirements

View all forms

  • A supporting letter completed by a licensed professional who is knowledgeable in the field of the student's particular disability. 
  • Include a statement of diagnosis by the medical professional you are seeing.
  • Include the length of time the licensed professional has been treating the student for the disability; the number of visits with the licensed professional may also be required.
  • Include a description of the current status of the disability.
  • Relate how the student's disability affects his/her living or learning.
  • Recommend appropriate accommodations and state how they are remedial to the disability.
  • Be dated and signed by the licensed professional on agency letterhead (prescriptions are not accepted). Letter must be sent in WORD or PDF format as an attachment when emailed.
  • Initial supporting documentation must be no older than one year.

Title IX and Equity, Accessibility and Accommodations may request additional or more recent documentation as needed.

Confidentiality will be maintained for all documentation related to a student's disability.

Accessible Textbooks

Accessible format of rented textbooks are available for students who have approved Kurzweil accommodations.

Provider: Textbook Services
Contact: Scott Yocum, 660.562.1150

Transition to College

Students with Disabilities Preparing for Postsecondary Education:
Know Your Rights and Responsibilities

The US Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights offers information regarding the rights and responsibilities of students with disabilities, as well as the responsibilities that postsecondary institutions have toward such students.

Going to College
This website is about college life with a disability. It is designed for high school students and provides video clips that help in planning for college.

 Prospective students are encouraged to visit Northwest Missouri State University and the Title IX & Equity: Accessibility & Accommodations (A&A) office.  An appointment with one of the professional staff members can be scheduled directly through the A&A office by calling 660-562-1873 or the visit can be coordinated through the Admissions Office – Campus Visits.

Temporary Services

Temporary impairments are generally not regarded as disabilities, but conditions such as broken bones, short-term illnesses and recovery from surgery or medical conditions can impact a student’s academic progress.

The Office of Title IX & Equity can provide temporary services to assist students in their academic work.  An appointment may be set up with one of the professional staff members to coordinate and arrange the services that are needed. Documentation of the medical condition may be necessary to arrange services.

If the temporary condition involves mobility issues (e.g. use of walker or crutches), Northwest Missouri State University does not provide personal shuttle services to and from classes.  For more information, contact us at 660-562-1873.

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