SDC Overview
Welcome to the Student Disability Center
WHERE TO FIND US ON CAMPUS
About us
The Colorado State University Student Disability Center's (SDC) goal is to normalize disability, including chronic health conditions, as part of a diverse campus culture. The intent is to have all of those involved on campus be as successful as individually possible through accommodation of their disability or chronic health condition.
Toward this end, the SDC provides support for students with permanent and temporary disability whether physical, chronic illness/health conditions, mental health conditions or learning disability. The SDC’s vision is to transform Colorado State University into an inclusive and accessible university where programs, services and environments are usable by all people.
Accommodations and support are offered to students with functional limitations due to visual, hearing, learning or mobility disabilities and those with specific physical or mental health conditions due to epilepsy, diabetes, asthma, AIDS, psychiatric diagnoses and more. Students with temporary disability also are eligible for support and assistance.
Through collaboration and partnership, the center leads CSU’s commitment to recognizing disability as a valued aspect of diversity. The SDC provides accommodation services, support, education and consultation for the campus community to ensure people with disabilities have a greater opportunity to achieve social justice and equity.
Our story
Since 1977, the SDC has helped facilitate educational pursuits for students with disabilities and/or other chronic conditions through coordination of several accommodations and services.
These services support unique academic needs of disabled students whether that disability is permanent or temporary, and includes chronic health conditions and mental health. The SDC works diligently to ensure policies, procedures and practices within the university environment do not discriminate against students because they have a disability.
Support services fall into three overarching categories: Accommodation, Awareness and Advocacy. The three areas relate and complement each other with the goal of lessening negative effects that limitations or disabilities may have on students in an academic environment.
Accommodations are designed to give students access to University programs, Awareness activities are related to improving campus climate for students with disabilities and Advocacy efforts ensure the needs of students with disability or chronic health conditions are addressed situationally and in University policy.
A Foundation of Belonging
Inclusivity is the hallmark of the work at the Student Disability Center. By holding a vision for University spaces, work and community that help everyone feel included, a sense of belonging automatically develops, tying the foundation of this center to all of those in Student Diversity Programs and Services, and to the Office for Inclusive Excellence (the University division to which it reports).
As part of the Office for Inclusive Excellence, the SDC is committed to fostering an inclusive campus environment through active engagement of University employees and students.
Our timeline
ADA compliance mandates equal access and opportunities for people with disabilities, including accessible facilities and communications, by employers and businesses.
The Student Relations Department became responsible for ensuring compliance with the University's federal obligations for student needs under Section 504.
Resources for Disabled Students became a separate department with a director, staff assistant, and student staff. At the time, 178 students self-identified as having a disability.
RDS moved to a larger office at 116 Student Services to serve 285 students with disabilities. Additionally, it had extra space for testing accommodations in the Student Services building.
In 2010, there were 1,300 students with disabilities and 29 staff in the department. In 2017, over 2,300 students with disabilities or chronic health conditions were identified.
The Student Disability Center was launched in 1978. To celebrate the occasion, the SDC hosted a Celebration on March 8, 2019 for students, faculty and staff to celebrate this milestone.
The office name changes from Resources for Disabled Students to the Student Disability Center, moves to a new location in the TILT building and increases staff.
Requests for disability accommodations continue to grow as more University facilities return to in-person operations post-pandemic, following a substantial increase in pre-pandemic demand.
Diverse stories
Since the 1960s, Colorado State has made concerted efforts to support diverse students in meaningful ways. We are collecting stories and will share the outcomes of those efforts – past and present.
SHARE YOUR STORY