At Northwestern College, students with special needs are students first.

The Disabilities Office for Support Services (DOSS) handles Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Veteran Disabilities Accommodations, and Section 504 needs, and other special needs for undergraduate, FOCUS and graduate students and encourages them to take part in all aspects of college life. A disability may be categorized as one or more of the following:

• Physical or Medical Disability
• Learning Disability
• Psychological Disability

Qualified students with documented disabilities associated with ADA/504 (e.g. special needs) may receive services, if appropriate, in a variety of areas. Students who are currently attending or will be enrolling at NWC and want to receive "reasonable accommodations" based on appropriate and current documentation are required to contact the DOSS office. Interested students may begin the process by filling out the Application for Accommodation. 

ADA states that an individual is considered to have a disability if he or she:

• Has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities
• Has a record of such an impairment
• Is regarded as having such an impairment

Students with official and current documentation of a disability are encouraged to contact the DOSS office to start the review process for reasonable accommodations. To respect individual privacy, and in compliance with FERPA, release forms are required. Read more about the responsibilities of the student and the college.