Frequently Asked Questions

A disability is defined in the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the ADA Amendments Act of 2008 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as a mental or physical impairment which substantially limits one or more major life activities. Learning is an example of a major life activity. If you have a mental or physical condition, a history of such a condition, or a condition which may be considered by others as substantially limiting, you may have a legally defined disability.

TXST provides accommodations and supportive services for students with varying disabilities including, but not limited to: blindness or low vision, deafness or hard of hearing, AD/HD, learning disabilities, mobility/physical conditions, chronic medical conditions, neurological conditions, Autism Spectrum Disorder, and mental health conditions.

DS is located at the San Marcos campus on the fifth floor of the LBJ Student Center in suite 506. 

After being admitted to Texas State University:

1. Fill out the Online Student Application within the Accessible Information Management (AIM) database. This is required to register for services with DS.
2. Securely provide documentation of the disability or disabilities to our office. If you have the requested documentation, you can provide it to DS by uploading it using the Upload Documentation link within AIM, delivering a copy to the office, or faxing it to 512-245-3452.
   Please Note: Because email is not considered a protected form of communication, please do not email any confidential information or documentation to the office.
   If you do not have a copy of the requested documentation, you can complete a Consent for Release of Confidential Information Form, and DS can request this information on your behalf. Please fill out your name, on-campus or off-campus provider information, and the signature portion at the bottom. You may email the completed form to our office to be faxed to your listed provider.
3. DS will review the need for accommodations and support services based on your disability documentation and disability based-need(s). It may take up to 30 business days for DS to review your submitted documentation.
4. Once documentation is submitted and meets DS's guidelines, DS will follow up with you via email to schedule your Accommodation Review Meeting.

For additional information, please visit the How to Register with DS webpage.

Sources of information used for determining a disability and/or accommodation include a student’s self-report, direct observation, interaction with the student, and/or documentation from qualified evaluators or professionals. For additional information, please visit the DS office and the Documentation Guidelines webpage.

DS determines accommodations that ensure students with disabilities have equal access to all university programs and activities. Types of accommodations include but are not limited to:

• Extended time on examinations 
• Reduced distraction environment for testing
• Note-taking assistance
• Text in alternate format (e.g., electronic text, Braille, etc.)
• Special Groups (Early) Registration for classes
• Sign language interpreting services
• Real-time captioning services

No. A student’s academic record is maintained by the Registrar’s Office. All disability documentation and information related to a student with a disability is maintained in a confidential file in DS.

DS has a Community Resource List of off-campus diagnosticians to whom we refer students for professional assessment.

Yes. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, TXST strives to ensure that students with disabilities have equal access to all aspects of the university.

Students with disabilities and their parents are encouraged to learn about the differences between high school and college including legal principles, self-advocacy, role of parents/guardians, confidentiality, time and attendance, studying, tests, and promoting student success. For additional information, please visit Disability Services’ (DS) Transition to College webpage.

No. You will need to register with DS and securely provide documentation of your disability or disabilities. If applicable, you are encouraged to submit information regarding your previously approved accommodations in order to assist DS in making an informed decision about the need for accommodations and support services. You may not qualify for the exact same accommodations at TXST.

No. All students must meet the same minimum requirements for admission and go through the same competitive admissions process.

No. You provide the information only if you wish to do so.

Students with special dietary needs may contact Texas State Dining by filling out their online Special Dietary Needs information list. They will contact students and discuss solutions to help them dine safely on campus.

If there is a need to tour their facilities, students can email chartwells@txstate.edu or call their office at 512.245.9930 to schedule an appointment with one of their unit directors.

Yes. Students with temporary mobility conditions can obtain a Temporary Mobility Impaired permit through Parking Services with written notification from the Student Health Center or a personal doctor. The note from the medical provider must be on the provider’s letterhead or Rx pad and must have a beginning and ending date that does not exceed 60 days and is not renewable. The provider must specify that there is a medical need to park closer but should not disclose what the medical reason is.

There is a fee for the permit. If a student owns a current permit, the Temporary Mobility Impaired permit is $6.00 for the duration specified by the provider. If a student does not own a current permit, the fee is $6.00 per week for the specified amount of time. Vehicles displaying this permit are exempt from the parking zone classifications. This permit does not authorize the use of Accessible Parking, Visitor, Service/Delivery, or any other reserved parking space.

For additional information, please review Parking Services' 2021-2022 Rules and Regulations Section III E2 webpage and/or contact Parking Services via telephone at 512-245-2887 or email at parking@txstate.edu.

No. Although students may discuss alternatives with their instructors if they are unable to attend face-to-face classes. A faculty member is not required to accommodate a request that represents a fundamental alteration to a course or program methods of delivery.

Students can request additional time on course assignments as an academic accommodation; however, the accommodation is not typically approved. Academic accommodations and support services are not intended to alter essential elements or academic expectations of a course or program. Assignment deadlines are an element of the course determined by course instructors. DS encourages students to communicate their concerns regarding coursework with their instructors.