MISSION STATEMENT

The mission of Resources for Disabled Students (RDS) is to assist Colorado State University in ensuring that qualified students with disabilities are afforded and given access to the same, or equal, educational opportunities available to other University students, as mandated by Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Assistance is provided to both students with disabilities and to the campus community so that students are not discriminated against due to their disability in policies, procedures, and practices conducted within, or as part of, the University environment.

The mission is fulfilled through three specific goals: to provide accommodation, awareness, and advocacy. All activities of RDS are related to fulfilling these goals in support of a campus environment that is not discriminatory based solely on the presence of a disability.

As part of the Division of Student Affairs, RDS is also committed to fulfilling the goals and objectives of the Division in support of students and the university. RDS is affiliated with other Advocacy Offices who strive to create a multi-cultural, diverse and welcoming environment for all students. The Advocacy Offices include: Black Student Services, Asian/Pacific American Student Services, El Centro Student Services, Native American Student Services, Gay, Lesbian, Bi-sexual, Transgender Student Services, and Women's Programs and Studies.

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WHAT DO WE DO?

Since 1977, Resources for Disabled Students (RDS) has helped facilitate the educational pursuits of students who have disabilities by coordinating a variety of services. These services support the unique academic needs of permanently and temporarily disabled students. As one of the advocacy offices on campus, RDS also works to ensure policies, procedures and practices within the university environment do not discriminate against students because they have a disability.

RDS has the authority to verify and confirm the eligibility of students with disabilities for the majority of accommodations on campus. While some accommodations may be provided by other departments, a student is not automatically eligible for those accommodations unless his/her disability can be verified and the need for the accommodation confirmed, either through RDS or through acceptable means defined by the particular department (e.g. Parking Services). Faculty and staff may consult with RDS whenever there is doubt as to the appropriateness of an accommodative request by a student with a disability.

FOR WHOM?

Support and services are offered to student with functional limitations due to visual, hearing, learning, or mobility disabilities as well as to students who have specific chronic health conditions due to epilepsy, diabetes, asthma, AIDS, psychiatric diagnoses, etc. Students who are temporarily disabled are also eligible for support and assistance.

Any student who is enrolled at Colorado State University and who self-identifies with RDS as having a disability is eligible for support from RDS. Specific accommodations are determined individually for each student and must be supported by appropriate documentation and/or evaluation of needs consistent with a particular type of disability. RDS reserves the right to ask for any appropriate documentation of disability in order to determine a student's eligibility for accommodations as well as in support for specific accommodative requests.

WHAT DO WE OFFER?

Support services fall into three categories: accommodations, awareness, and advocacy. These three services areas relate to and complement one another to help lessen the negative effects that limitations or disabilities may have on students in an academic environment.

Accommodations are designed to give students access to the programs offered by Colorado State University. Awareness activities are related to improving the climate on campus for students with disabilities. Advocacy efforts are to ensure the needs of students with disabilities are addressed both in individual situations as well as in policies and procedures of the university.

For more detailed information about specific accommodations and services, please go to General Information, Accommodations, Auxiliary Aids and Services.

WHY CONTACT US?

you are an enrolled student with a disability (temporary or permanent) and need advocacy support due to your particular situation.
you are an enrolled student with a disability (temporary or permanent) and find you need a specific accommodation on campus.
you are a prospective student who has a disability and may require accommodations in an academic environment - the earlier you contact us, the better!
you would like to volunteer for RDS and/or for students with disabilities in such activities as note taking in class, reading aloud on tape or in person, assisting in the library, or helping RDS in programming awareness events.
you are an instructor with a student with a disability in your class who has requested an accommodation from you.
you are interested in knowing more about people with disabilities and/or the disability experience.

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Resources for Disabled Students
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Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523 USA (970) 491-6385