We have news to share with you regarding the delivery of disability accommodations at Missouri State University. We currently have a two-office system that serve students with disabilities based on disability type. As of July 1, 2020, all students with disabilities who receive academic and housing accommodations are now served through the Disability Resource Center (DRC).

This does not mean that the Learning Diagnostic Clinic (LDC) is going away. Rather, the LDC will continue with their Project Success program, as well as do testing evaluations for learning and psychological disabilities.

When this transition occurs, that means students will be working with a new Access Advisor within the Disability Resource Center. They are currently in the search process to hire these new positions, so more information will come as we get closer to fall semester on who their new advisor will be. You may ask, what does this mean for students who were originally served under the LDC?

What stays the same:

• The accommodations determined at the LDC will carry over to the DRC. Students do not have to re-verify their accommodations.
• Students will still follow the same process of delivering their accommodation memo to the instructor and discussing with them about their accommodations.
• If the student is a participant of the Project Success program, they will still be able to continue with that program in the LDC.

What will be different:

• The office students will go to for anything related to accommodations is the Disability Resource Center (DRC)
  • Meyer Library, Room 111
  • DRC@MissouriState.edu
  • 417-836-4192
• Students will have a new Access Advisor that they can consult with and count on for support in the implementation of their accommodations.
• They will have access to a new data management system called “Bear Access” to access their accommodation memos, upload any new documentation, request meetings, schedule accommodated exams, etc. It should be a ‘one-stop shop’ for anything the need at the DRC related to accommodations.
• If students have exam accommodations and their instructor is not able to provide them, then they will be able to take their exam at the University Testing Center in Meyer Library 010.

This is an exciting change, especially amidst our current remote environment. We realize that in this transition we may hit a bump or two in the road. However, please know that the goal of this transition is to ultimately provide an efficient, streamlined, and supportive process in ensuring access and inclusion for students with disabilities at Missouri State University.

We realize that there may be questions and that you may want to speak with someone about this. The DRC is working on having an “open house” of sorts so that students can meet the staff, see the space, etc. With our current remote environment, we are waiting until we get closer to fall semester to finalize what those plans will be.

There will be more information to come! Please visit [missouristate.edu/disability]missouristate.edu/disability for more information.