Frequently Asked Questions
Office for Special Needs Services FAQ
What is The Office for Special Needs Services (OSNS)?
OSNS offers accommodation services for students with needs/disabilities. There are a wide range of issues addressed in our office. The Office for Special Needs facilitates access to an education for students with documented needs.
Where is OSNS?
OSNS is located in the Learning Resource Center, Room 115.
How do I register with OSNS?
A student can either schedule an appointment by phone or walk into the office and speak with the staff assistant. OSNS can be reached by phone at 440-366-4058. Once your appointment has been scheduled, on the date of your appointment, please be sure to bring any documentation with you as proof of your need for services. You may also download the Intake Form, fill it out in advance, and bring that with you to your appointment.
Will my college diploma say that I used special accommodations to complete my course work?
No, information regarding your special needs is kept confidential. Your information is only disclosed on a need to know basis. If any of your information is wrongly released from OSNS, there is a $250,000 federal fine placed on this institution. In essence, the only people who know about your special needs are the people you share that information with.
I don’t want to register with special needs because I feel like it’s a crutch. I want to be able to complete school on my own. Is it true that registering with OSNS will make my work easier?
The purpose of OSNS is to put students with special needs on a level playing field with students who do not have to deal with the same issues. Accommodations are made which grant equal access to an education. Modifications, which would restructure the academic goals of a course, are not made. All students must meet the same learning objectives. Therefore, using accommodations is not a crutch because the students who take advantage of the accommodations will work just as hard as the students who do not need them.
I am not sure if I have a learning disability, how can I find out?
Testing for a learning disability can be expensive. Therefore, we encourage students to check first with their primary physician and see if he/she is able to either diagnose your issue or refer you to someone who can. If this is not possible, OSNS does have a referral list of professionals who are able to test students.