Grinnell College is dedicated to educating students whose achievements show a high level of intellectual capacity, initiative, and maturity. Every year, this highly qualified group of students includes people with disabilities.
The Office of Accessibility & Disability Resources serves as the primary contact for students with disabilities seeking accommodations. Office staff advise students about the College's disability-related policies, procedures, and resources.
Additionally, the neurodiversity support specialist works closely with neurodiverse students to create connections and community. The NSS also offers group workshops and 1:1 coaching related to executive functioning and social skills.
Your Rights and Responsibilities
As a student at Grinnell, you are responsible for meeting Grinnell’s essential requirements, with or without appropriate accommodations.
You are not required to:
- register with disability resources;
- identify yourself to instructors, staff, or other students as having a disability; or
- accept accommodations you do not need or want.
However, if you need and want accommodations, you are responsible for contacting disability resources and completing the process for requesting accommodations. If you choose to not register with disability resources or refuse accommodations, you are responsible for the consequences of your actions.
Both at Grinnell and beyond, we encourage those with disabilities to advocate on their own behalf to enjoy their right to access and equality. Individuals who do not identify themselves and request appropriate accommodations may limit their civil rights protections.
See the Student Handbook for policies and procedures.
To Request Accommodations and Discover Other Services
For disability accommodations — whether learning, psychiatric, or physical; long- or short-term — connect with our office using the Accommodation Portal. Office staff will explain your rights and responsibilities, and will guide you through the process.
For best results, you should:
- Contact disability resources as far in advance as possible. You do not need to wait until you are on campus.
- Provide documentation of your requested accommodations and impacts
- Complete the process for requesting accommodations, including talking to faculty when needed.
If you are granted accommodations, you choose if you want to use them. If you do, you will work with disability resources to explain the requested accommodations to your professors or others on campus (e.g., dining if you need dining accommodations).
Accommodations are reviewed and approved by the office. The office will work with you and others on campus to get you the accommodations you need. We have experts throughout campus — covering everything from dining, health and wellness, and buildings and residences, to teaching and mentoring — to help make this process run smoothly.
Accessibility and Disability Resources will work directly with you to identify and recommend accommodations. We also will coordinate with other offices on campus, including faculty as well as staff in facilities management, dining, academic affairs, the library, or other offices on campus.
For full details, prospective students should contact our office.
Current students should visit Disability Resources on Grinnell Share (log-in required).
Documenting Your Disability
We recommend your documentation include a diagnosis or description of your disability(ies), list results of tests (if appropriate) and include the recommendations of a specialist regarding appropriate accommodations. Completed accommodation request forms and documentation can uploaded via the accommodation portal or faxed to 641-269-9083.
Disclosure and Confidentiality
You are not required to disclose your disability; disclosure is voluntary.
Disability Resources will keep a private record of what you’ve shared. The office will not share your diagnosis with others without your express permission. If you choose, you can sign an agreement to allow the office to discuss your disability or share information with certain people, such as your parents.
The College keeps documentation concerning disabilities separate from the student's general academic record. Information and records are shared with members of the College staff and faculty only on a need-to-know basis or when specifically requested by the student.
Accommodations will not appear on your transcript.
Staff and faculty are advised that a student's disability and/or accommodations are confidential and should not be shared with others.
Grievance Procedures
To appeal your accommodations decision, see the Disability Accommodation Appeal Procedure on GrinnellShare. You can also contact the Associate Chief Diversity Officer for Disability Resources for assistance.
"Grinnell College is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination in matters of admissions, employment, and housing, and in access to and participation in its education programs, services, or activities. No person shall be discriminated against on the basis of race, national or ethnic origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, religion, creed or disability." Grinnell College Catalog. To file a discrimination grievance or to learn more, read the College's Non-Discrimination Policy.