An information session with Jon McHough, Associate Director of disAbility Resources for Students
By Julia Berkman
It’s easy for any student who needs help to find it at DRS, according to Jon McHough.
In order to be give DRS accommodations, you need a note from a doctor. After that, you’re assigned a counselor and you meet with them about the accommodations you may need.
However, you don’t need to have a doctor’s official diagnosis in order to work with the DRS. McHough said you just have to show the DRS proof of your need for accommodations, and they’ll try to help you however you can. That means if you can’t pinpoint an exact diagnosis, but you have symptoms, you can still be accommodated for things like chronic pain or fatigue.
That means if you can’t pinpoint an exact diagnosis, but you have symptoms, you can still be accommodated for things like chronic pain or fatigue.
When people think of someone with a disability, McHough says that what comes to mind is someone with a physical disability. He stressed that the DRS can provide accommodations for any type of disability, be it a mental illness or a learning disability.
Everyone’s accommodations are different- they range from leniency with absences and due dates to visual aides in class.
Best of all, your professors are legally required to respect the accommodations you and your counselor agreed upon.
According to McHough, many students are worried that their DRS registration will show up on a transcript. Never fear, registration with the DRS is completely anonymous. In addition to that, professors legally can’t tell anyone that you have accommodations, so don’t sweat that either.
You may not even have to renew your accommodations. If you have a diagnosis that is chronic, the DRS usually doesn’t need proof of it every school year. Though for more temporary things like broken bones, you’ll probably be asked to check in with your counselor after a few months.
To contact the DRS and get started, email drs@wwu.edu or visit Old Main 120. You can also voice call them at (360)650-3038 or call their video phone at (360)255-7175.