Six Facts About Student Disability Services

Note: this blog post was updated in August 2024.

Navigating higher education while managing a disability can present unique challenges. At Johns Hopkins, Student Disability Services works to ensure equal access and opportunity for student with disabilities. This is done through advising and educating the campus community about disability and inclusive practices, and providing services, strategies, and accommodations to mitigate the barriers faced by students with disabilities.

Whether you are an incoming or returning student, you can always reach out to SDS. Sooner is always better than later, so if you anticipate making disability requests or are interested in learning more about how they work, please contact us. 

SDS recognizes that all students may not have had access to the same resources or services in the past, and we are happy to explain how the process works and potential ways to address needs. 

In the meantime, here are a few more things to know about SDS and disability: 

1. You might qualify for a disability accommodation(s), even if you’ve never had accommodations in the past. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) defines a person with a disability as a person who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities. Some students arrive at Hopkins aware of their disabilities and are familiar with the process of seeking accommodations. Others discover a need for accommodations in college (or grad school) that they didn’t have in high school or (during undergraduate studies). Additionally, people at all phases of life develop new and/or temporary disabilities (injuries or concussions) that may need accommodations. Working with SDS to officially request accommodations and services not only protects a student’s right to have barriers removed, but it also enables them to maintain confidentiality around the details of their disability and to share only information that needs to known. If you’re wondering whether you might qualify for disability services, feel free to contact the SDS staff advisor at your school to talk about your experience.
2. The process of requesting accommodations starts with the SDS online application. The form is quick and straightforward, and it includes a section to upload supporting documents from your provider. We understand that getting in touch with some providers can be a complicated task, so please check out our SDS Documentation Guidelines beforehand for more information on required documentation. If you have concerns about getting documentation, you can schedule a meeting with SDS to discuss options to get support with that process as well as discussing if provisional accommodations are needed in the interim. 
3. Completing the initial SDS form is just the first step. After your initial form and supporting documentation have been reviewed, a Student Disability Services staff member from your school will reach out to schedule a meeting to learn more about you, discuss your needs, as well as potential accommodations, campus resources and services. From there, students work in partnership with SDS, faculty, and other university staff to ensure that the student’s needs are met. We encourage students to begin the process well in advance of the start of their program or as soon as possible when a need arises so that services or accommodations can be coordinated in a timely way. 
4. Students are not required to disclose information about the nature of their disability to faculty, and working with SDS can help students maintain their desired level of confidentiality. Disclosing all relevant information to SDS is essential to establishing eligibility for services or accommodations and ensuring what is provided will be effective in meeting needs. Once affiliated with SDS and approved to use accommodations or services, students have a choice about how much information is shared beyond that point and students retain the right to request/use accommodations or to elect not to. Disclosure is a personal choice and students are always free to provide whatever information they are comfortable sharing, but SDS processes preserve confidentiality for students who prefer to disclose only what is needed (the accommodation or services).
5. Accommodations exist for many aspects of the student experience, not just the classroom. While students often seek out SDS for academic considerations—such as assistive technology (reading software like Kurzweil or note-taking software like Glean); testing accommodations (extra time or reduced distraction space); and interpreting (American Sign Language or real-time captioning)—disability accommodations extend beyond the classroom. From housing and dining to transportation and building accessibility, SDS is here to ensure that you can experience Hopkins to the fullest. 
6. There’s no wrong time to contact SDS, but it is best to contact us as soon as possible. Accommodations and services are provided once the initial process has been completed and eligibility has been established. Accommodations may be requested at any time but are not retroactive. We want services and accommodations implemented and barriers removed before a student experiences any negative impact. We strive to make the experience welcoming and affirming, and we look forward to meeting new students.