Student Access Services (Formerly Disability Services)

Welcome to the office of Student Access Services! 

Student Access Services (formerly Disability Services) works collaboratively with students, faculty, staff and administration to create an inclusive educational environment for all students. In keeping with our institutional value of diversity, community and the whole student, Ringling College of Art and Design provides a variety of support services to all students and appropriate accommodations to students with documented disabilities. Accommodations are arranged by the SAC (Student Access Coordinator). Use this webpage to learn more about registration, documentation and the process of accommodation.

1. To receive accommodations, students should document their disabilities, complete necessary forms, and meet with the SAC (Student Access Coordinator). See helpful info on this webpage.
    
2. Students must make an appointment with the SAC before or during the first week of the semester to arrange accommodations. Accommodations cannot be completed more than a month before classes begin.
    
3. Accommodations are NOT retroactive. Students may request accommodations at any time in the semester, but the services will only apply going forward.
    
4. Students will sign an e-agreement and a release of information so accommodations can be implemented. All information is confidential and will be used for educational purposes only.
    
5. Students must request accommodations each semester when they will need services.
    
6. Requests for housing accommodation must be submitted with the housing contract along with documentation for the special request. Questions about housing options and restrictions should be directed to the Office of Residence Life.
    
7. Questions and concerns about accommodations should be reported to the SAC as soon as possible.
    
8. Accommodation processes are different in college from high school. Copies of policies at Ringling College are available on request from the SAS office. (SAS@ringling.edu).

Prospective Students 

Though the accommodation process cannot begin until a student has been accepted to the college, many people have questions prior to applying, so we have created this webpage. With their parents / guardians, students should read the information on this site about procedures and documentation.  If you have questions that are not covered on the website, please contact the SAC at SAS@ringling.edu. We are happy to answer your questions.

To begin communication, please complete the online application and upload documentation using our new online management system - AIM.

• Click here to access AIM
   
• Complete the Student Application by filling in all the items with a red *
  • If you would like to add any extra information, type it in the Additional Note box.
     
• Once you click submit, a screen will appear for documentation.
  • For files larger than 1 mb, scan as separate files or zip the large file
     
• You will receive an automated email confirming receipt of your student application, but please wait for an email from the SAC that responds to you personally.
   
• If you are going to be on campus, feel free to make an appointment with the SAC to discuss effective accommodations from previous schools and possible accommodations for classes at Ringling College.

Click here for an appointment

Accommodation Process 

Ringling 1st,  2nd & 3rd Year Students New to Student Access Services  

Please understand that all Ringling students who are new to the Student Access Office, must make an appointment with the SAC before accommodations may be acquired. If you have any questions about the process, please email us at SAS@ringling.edu.

Step by Step Instructions for Acquiring Accommodations

• Student Access Services is now using an online data management system - AIM.
   
• Complete the Student Application on AIM and upload all documentation. Please complete this information on AIM before meeting with the SAC.
   
• On the portal, there is a link to an AIM tutorial, if needed.
  • Fill in all items with a red * and include your Ringling ID - this is how the computer finds your class schedule.
  • Submit the Student Application and a screen will appear for documentation.
    • AIM only accepts files smaller that 1mb
    • For files larger than 1 mb, scan as separate files or zip large files
    • The SAS office will no longer accept paper documentation.
    • If you have trouble uploading, please contact us for assistance.
       
• An automated reply confirming receipt of your Student Application will be sent, but this is does not put accommodations in place.
   
• No accommodations will be established without a meeting with the SAC.
   
• Click here to make an appointment with the SAC.
   
• During the meeting, discuss accommodations from previous schools and agree upon eligible accommodations for Ringling classes.
   
• The SAC will send an eligibility email to the student and notification emails to faculty.
  • All emails and documents are stored securely on the student’s AIM account
     
• The student should communicate with faculty to discuss accommodations and contact the SAC with questions/concerns.

Make an Appointment

Ringling 1st,  2nd & 3rd Year Students Currently Registered with Student Access Services

All 1st, 2nd & 3rd Year Students will be receiving accommodations through our new online disabilities management system - AIM. As a student receiving accommodations through the SAS office, you were automatically registered for AIM and have had a profile established with your Ringling credentials.

• If you were satisfied with your accommodations last semester and would like to renew them for the upcoming semester, you may renew this year on AIM.
  • A tutorial is available on the portal, if you need it.
  • Access AIM on the Ringling portal - Click on Student Access Services - AIM.
  • Use your Ringling username & password to login.
  • Your student profile will appear when you login.
  • From your profile page, click Accommodations
  • A list of classes will appear, so click on classes that require accommodations.
  • Scroll down for your eligible accommodations and make selections.
  • Once you submit your request, it will generate an email to the SAC.
  • The SAC will review your request and send out faculty notifications.
  • You will be able to see all requests and notifications on your account on AIM.
  • If you have any questions/concerns, please make an appointment or email us at SAS@ringling.edu.
     
• If you were NOT satisfied with your accommodations last semester, please make an appointment to discuss your questions/concerns with the SAC.

Make an Appointment

Ringling 4th Year Students New to Student Access Services 

Please understand that all Ringling students who are new to the Student Access Office, must make an appointment with the SAC before accommodations may be acquired. If you have any questions about the process, please email us - SAS@ringling.edu.

Step by Step Instructions for Acquiring Accommodations

• Make an appointment with the SAS office to discuss accommodations. Click here for an appointment.
   
• Scan and email all documentation to the SAS office (SAS@ringling.edu)
  • The SAS office will no longer accept paper documentation.
  • If you have trouble emailing documentation, please contact us for assistance.
     
• Discuss accommodations from previous schools and agree upon eligible accommodations for Ringling classes.
   
• SAC will send notification emails to faculty.
   
• The student should communicate with faculty to discuss accommodations and should contact the SAC with questions/concerns.

Make an Appointment

Ringling 4th Year Students Currently Registered with Student Access Services

Were you satisfied with accommodations last semester?

• Yes - you may renew accommodations by emailing the SAS office (SAS@ringling.edu)
  • If you need to make any changes to your accommodations, you must make an appointment with the SAS office.
     
• No - make an appointment to discuss your questions/concerns with the SAC.
   

The student should contact the SAC at any point in the semester with questions/concerns regarding accommodations at SAS@ringling.edu

Make an Appointment

Documentation of a Disability 
 

In keeping with our institutional value of diversity, inclusive community and the whole student, Ringling College of Art and Design provides robust support services to all students and appropriate accommodation to students with documented disabilities.

Legally a disability is any condition which creates substantial limitations in daily activities for an individual. Often disabilities pose more challenges in some circumstances than others, and sometimes circumstances can be modified in ways to minimize the limitations. However in many situations, adjustments must be made specifically for the individual with a disability—and those are called accommodations. In college, accommodations are made to provide students equal access to all college-sponsored activities and events, especially to classrooms and instruction. To receive accommodations for those situations, students are asked to provide documentation.   

Documentation may be required to verify the need for certain services. Other times, further information from professional evaluations may be required to establish and explain the basis for requests. Information from health care and other providers is always useful to the SAC who needs to understand the effects and consequences of the disability as well as the diagnosis and recommended accommodations.

    At Ringling, students whose access to buildings, instruction or campus activities is limited by a disability should click on the link to the Accommodation Process page for step by step instructions on applying to the office of Student Access Services and uploading necessary documentation.

Useful documents may include

• IEPs (individualized education plans) from elementary and high school
• 504 plans
• Psycho-educational or neuropsychological evaluations
• Letters from physicians or other providers about diagnosis, treatment and recommended services.
• Diagnostic reports and updates

For disabilities due to medical or mental health illnesses, the SAC can provide a questionnaire to help providers understand students and their needs.

Students and guardians with concerns about documentation or any other aspect of accommodation should contact the office of Student Access Services at SAS@ringling.edu.

Questions and concerns about accommodations should be reported to the SAC as soon as possible. Students dissatisfied with accommodations may submit an appeal. 
Students may also submit a complaint to the appropriate government agency.