The Disability Support Services Program is here to serve YOU. We serve 115 undergraduate students who have learning, physical, and psychological disabilities. We offer the following academic student support services:
Academic counseling
Academic counseling enhances academic success and persistence. We provide our students
with regular and ongoing opportunities to meet face to face with a knowledgeable advisor
who really cares about the student's educational goals. We also monitor the student's
academic progress to see if other academic services are needed.
Individualized tutoring
Our students receive free tutoring in classes (up to the three hundred level) in
most of the main General Education courses. Also, we advise our students to take advantage
of peer tutoring in the Supplemental Instruction program here at WSU.
Career Choice Guidance
We discuss with our students their career goals and career options. We advise them
on the various degrees that they can pursue to gain employment. Finally, we refer
them to the Office of Career Services to meet with a Career Specialist advisor to
assist them with resume writing, interest inventories, career fairs, and other career
service related activities.
Study skills instruction
Our students can request a one-on-one study skills instruction session from the DSS
Study Skills Coordinator. Also, we provide various study skills workshops throughout
the academic year. Students in the DSS program are required to attend at least two
acedemic enhancement workshops per semester and or watch a study skills video.
Financial Assistance
DSS has funds from the U.S. Department of Education (DSS Grant Aid) for those eligible
program students who may experience financial hardship during the course of the semester.
Financial assistance is offered to program students who receive a Pell Grant. There
are also funds available through the Student Government Association Educational Opportunity
Fund (EOF) for program students who do not receive a Pell Grant. Those awards are
based on student progress and financial need.
Computer and technology lab use
We provide our students with a computer lab (166 Grace Wilkie Annex) that contains
computers/printers that have adaptive equipment and software that will enable students
with disabilities to operate them. We encourage our students to take advantage of
this service. Remember to log in and out whenever you visit the lab.
Scholarship and financial aid advice
We assist our students in scholarship searches and help them fill out the Free Application
For Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Also, we refer our students to the WSU Office of
Financial Aid for additional financial aid advice (student loans and grants).
Campus and community involvement opportunities
We encourage our students to participate in campus activities (i.e. be involved in
the DSS Student Organization, attend student government sponsored activities, Spring
Fling, fine arts and sports events). Also, we recommend to our students to become
involved in community activities (i.e. Special Olympics, rallies, etc).
Degree planning and course selection assistance
We advise our students on the core courses of the General Education Requirements.
We will also assist students to complete a semester-by-semester degree plan.
Textbook lending library
DSS has a few textbooks available to check out on a semester by semester basis. The
textbooks that we have on loan are from the main GEP courses (Algebra, Biology, English,
History, Psychology, Spanish, etc).
Study/Life skills video lending library
DSS has its own study/life skills video library that consists of videotapes and DVDs
of all DSS workshops and other disability related topics. Each semester, (fall and
spring) all DSS students are required to check out a video of one of the workshops
to view either here or at home. If you are in need of this service contact the DSS
Study Skills Coordinator.
Graduate school selection and information
We assist our students in locating a graduate school that offers a post baccalaureate
degree in their desired field. Also, we assist our students in filling out applications
and in preparing to take entrance exams.