Accomodations

Getting Started: The Process

All accommodation review requests, for the purpose of determining eligibility and initiating processing, must begin with the student completing the process themselves, securely via the SDS Registration AIMs Portal. Documentation sent by email, delivered in person, or otherwise handed in will not be reviewed, accepted, or considered submitted. Only submissions made and completed through the AIMs Portal will be deemed sufficient and valid.

 

1. Preparation Stage

The Preparation Stage is recommended to help prevent insufficient submissions or delays in review or overall processing. It serves as a self-assessment designed to educate and increase awareness of what qualifies as eligible, beyond common life challenges or demands. This stage also helps students understand the documentation requirements necessary to successfully begin the accommodation process.

To qualify, you should have documented evidence of a diagnosis that causes substantial functional limitations in daily life, such as in reading, walking, eating, or other major life activities. Thus, just having a diagnosis doesn’t automatically qualify a student for SDS accommodations; the items below will be carefully reviewed. These limitations must be significant in severity, frequency, and duration.

Before submitting your request:

  • Carefully review the university’s Documentation Guidelines, which serve as a standards rubric.
  • Make sure your documentation meets those criteria to avoid unnecessary delays in review.
  • Once you have gathered sufficient documentation as outlined, please complete the SDS Registration online, upload your documentation and submit.
  • Please note that high school 504/IEPs, MyChart screenshots, and similar records are not considered sufficient documentation. Yet, they are welcomed and accepted for historical reference only. This type of documentation does not meet the Documentation Guidelines required for college level eligibility review and process determination.

See the Documentation Guidelines page for the required forms to be completed by you and your licensed provider.

 

2. AIMs Portal Submission

Great news, you’re ready to submit! Once you are confident that you have sufficient documentation, please proceed by providing your current and relevant disability documentation for review. Students new to Disability Services should submit through the secure SDS AIMs Portal. After your documentation has been officially submitted, you will receive an automatic confirmation email. This email serves as your official notification that your application has moved into pending review status.

Disclaimer: Documentation sent by email, delivered in person, or otherwise handed in will not be reviewed, accepted, or considered submitted. Only submissions made and completed through the AIMs Portal will be deemed sufficient and valid.

 

3. Review Phase

The date you submit your application request marks the start of the review timeline. A full documentation review may take up to 10 business days (excluding weekends/holidays) for the FSU SDS Review Team to review your submission, validate signatures, verify information, confirm completeness, assess functional impact, severity of need, eligibility assessments, etc. Insufficient or incomplete documentation may cause delays, which is why the Preparation Stage is so important.

 

If Eligibility for Services Cannot be Determined

If eligibility for services cannot be determined when your documentation is reviewed, your email notification will explain the decision and outline the next steps. Please read the email thoroughly and in its entirety, as it will provide detailed instructions on what is required to re-enter the Review Phase.

Disclaimer: If you re-enter the Review Phase, please note that the same processing time of up to 10 business days upon submission will restart. Thus, the Preparation Stage is again essential.

 

If Eligibility Determines Process of Approved Accommodations

If eligibility for services is determined, both you and your professors will receive an accommodation notification letter.

Disclaimer: Approved accommodations are not backdated. Accommodations begin on the date your approval is processed, which will be the same date listed on your notification letter, time stamped within your email as well as shown within your AIMs portal.

 

Once approved, you can log into your established Student AIMs Portal to review all accommodation details and access electronic record features. Additionally, professors can access your accommodation information through the Faculty AIMs Portal, ensuring they have the necessary details even if email communications are missed.

At this time, please proceed to the Student Responsibilities Page to gain a full understanding of your role in the SDS-approved accommodation process.