Register with SAS and SAS Eligibility Process and Documentation Guidelines

Hello and welcome to Student Accessibility Services at WNE! We are so very excited to continue your academic journey with you.

Students with documented disabilities who seek accommodations at Western New England University will need to register with SAS following the steps outlined below:

Step One: Complete and return the SAS Intake Form. It serves to self-disclose and describe firsthand how a student’s disability impacts them in the educational environment. 

Step Two: 

1. Submit additional documentation or evidence that substantiates a disability. Typically, this documentation source comes from a third-party. The information should describe the functional limitations, impact, and need for accommodations on a university campus.
2. A copy of your high school transcript (recommended for incoming freshmen)
3. A copy of past accommodations from a previous institution of higher learning.
4. A copy of your 504 plan or IEP from high school.
5. In the absence of or in addition to a qualified professional report (e.g. Psychoeducational Evaluation, Neuropsychological Evaluation, IEP, 504 Plan, etc.) you may opt to provide a letter from your medical provider.
6. If you plan to provide a letter from a medical provider the letter must meet the standards as listed below:
   • The letter must be addressed to Student Accessibility Services written on agency or provider letterhead and include the date the letter was written, the provider’s written name, the provider’s state licensure/certification number, professional title, mailing address, telephone number, and providers signature.
   • A diagnostic statement identifying the disability/diagnosis (with the date of diagnosis/onset).
     • A summary of the relevant education, developmental, psychiatric, medical history that supports the diagnosis
   • Severity of the disorder/diagnosis (mild/moderate/severe).
   • Medication and/or treatment currently prescribed.
   • An assessment of major life activities that are affected by the impairment/diagnosis (examples: concentration, memory, social interactions, class attendance, learning, reading, thinking, etc.)
   • Recommended accommodations that may assist in minimizing the impact of the disability diagnosis in an academic or residential setting (examples: test-taking, notes, housing concerns, or dining restrictions, etc.). It is important to note that listing the recommended accommodations as a supportive resource of the accommodation process does not entitle the student to the suggested accommodations listed by the medical provider.
   • Clear and specific evidence and identification of the disability diagnosis, using direct language and avoiding terms such as, “suggests” or “is indicative of” or “is consistent with”.
   • Any restrictions or limitations within the learning or housing environment.
   • We also accept letters from the WNE counseling services or health services offices.  
   • Include testing information and/or a complete neuro-psych eval when applicable.
   • Providers may fax the completed document directly to 413-782-1575 or scan and email the document to accessibility@wne.edu

Step Three: SAS reviews the SAS Confidential Registration Form and other disability-related documentation submitted by the student.

Step Four: Students attend and participate in a Welcome Meeting with SAS via Zoom (unless arrangements for an in-person meeting are requested and available). During this meeting, SAS and the student will review and confirm accommodations that they may be eligible to receive to address individualized documented needs. Students will also become familiar with accommodation procedures and related responsibilities and expectations. *This may complete the SAS registration process for some students; students seeking housing-related accommodation may be required to submit additional documentation as determined via the SAS Welcome Meeting. 

Note: Accommodations are individually determined based on the functional limitation(s) related to the student’s disability diagnosis and requested accommodations are not guaranteed for approval.

Please forward the form(s) and corresponding documentation to:

Student Accessibility Services
Western New England University
1215 Wilbraham Road, Herman Hall, Room 105
Springfield, MA 01119

Phone: 413-782-1258
Fax:  413-782-1575
Email: accessibility@wne.edu

Housing/Dining Accommodations

Western New England University is committed and dedicated to making its programs, services, and activities accessible for all students. We prohibit discrimination based on disability and strive to provide reasonable accommodations to students consistent with the Western New England mission, policy, and applicable laws, as appropriate.

The housing and dining accommodation requests process represents a collaborative effort between students, Residence Life, Dining Services, Student Affairs, and Student Accessibility Services (SAS). As part of our commitment to establishing reasonable accommodations for qualified students with approved housing or dining accommodations, WNE provides reasonable accommodations for housing and dining which may include modifications to the college’s policies and procedures, among other accommodations, unless any such modification(s) would result in a fundamental alteration of the college’s housing and dining programs, or create an undue burden to the college. Requested accommodations must be reasonable and are required to address the documented disability.

SAS Housing Accommodation Request Process:

1. Complete the SAS Intake Form.
2. Provide supporting medical documentation, additional documentation may be requested in the event that the documentation provided does not provide appropriate detail.
3. Provide a written statement as to the need for the housing/dining accommodation.
4. Participate in a SAS Welcome Meeting.
5. Students seeking an ESA may be required to complete additional SAS forms.
6. Housing accommodation requests should align with all posted deadlines, noted on the WNE Residence Housing page and listed below:
   • by the first Wednesday in March for currently enrolled students
   • by the first Monday in June for incoming students (those accepted through the Admissions Office)
   • all requests for housing-related accommodations are reviewed, and requests that adhere to the timelines as posted above are given priority
   • any requests submitted after the applicable deadline will be reviewed on a case-by-case and as space is available
7. On-campus housing is limited and for this reason, a single room assignment is only granted to students for whom no other accommodation is deemed reasonable, and only when available.
   • Residential housing is not a distraction-free or reduced-distraction environment.
   • An accommodation does not determine roommates.
   • all requests for housing-related accommodations are reviewed, and requests that adhere to the timelines as posted above are given priority
8. It is important to note that simply submitting the documentation does not equal an immediate approval. The SAS team will review all housing accommodation requests on an individual basis.
9. All housing and dining accommodation requests are reviewed on an individual basis.
   • Factors we may consider during the review process include, but are not limited to the diagnosis, the impact of the diagnosis on the student in the residential or dining setting, significant limitations or barriers that may  substantially limit or compromise the residential or dining experience.
10. The SAS Welcome Meeting includes completion of a verbal questionnaire. All students are required to participate in this interactive self-report process.