Mission Statement
Resources for Disabled Students (RDS) recognizes that disability reflects diverse characteristics and experiences, and is an aspect of diversity integral to society. To that end, we collaborate with students, instructors, staff, and community members to create useable, equitable, inclusive and sustainable learning environments. RDS is also committed to supporting Colorado State University as a non-discriminating environment for qualified students with disabilities as mandated by Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.
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.
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.
