Special Needs Services Office

Welcome to the Special Needs Services webpage!

New Mexico State University at Carlsbad offers services for qualified students with disabilities through the Special Needs Services Office.

Students with disabilities are an important component of our diverse student body.  The Special Needs Services Office (SNSO) is dedicated to promoting equal access to educational opportunities.

Individuals with a qualifying disability whether it is a physical, psychological, or learning disability are eligible to receive accommodations through the SNSO.

The first step in applying for services for students with disabilities is to make an appointment with the Special Needs Services Coordinator by calling (505) 234-9321 (Voice,TDD) or 234-9337.  The first appointment should be as early as possible before the semester begins.  For high school seniors, it might be best to meet with the Coordinator during the spring before graduation.  The timing of this first appointment could be very important especially if a student is anticipating receiving accommodations that take time to arrange, such as ordering "books on tape" from Recordings for the Blind and Dyslexic.

Documentation is the key to accommodation.  If you bring documentation to the first meeting the process will go faster.  If you need to acquire documentation after the first meeting temporary accommodations may be made on a case by case basis. The documentation should meet the following criteria: it specifically address your disability, limitations associated with your disability, and recommended accommodations. Once Special Needs has reviewed the documentation a determination of appropriate accommodation will be made.

PROCEDURES FOR REQUESTING ACCOMMODATIONS FROM THE SPECIAL NEEDS SERVICES OFFICE

New Mexico State University - Carlsbad is committed to providing reasonable accommodation for qualified NMSU-C students in accordance with state and federal laws.  Special Needs Services Office at New Mexico State University - Carlsbad offers a variety of services to students with documented physical, learning, or psychological disabilities.

The accommodation process begins when the student self discloses a disability to the Coordinator of the Special Needs Services Office (office Room 107) and requests specific accommodation(s).  Requests for accommodations must be made in writing by completing the PETITION FOR ACCOMMODATION FORM, which will be used to determine student eligibility to receive the appropriate accommodation.  The documented disabilities information provided by the practitioner must support the services requested.  Efforts will be made to provide a student with the accommodation requested.  However, there may be occasions when the documentation provided does not support the accommodations requested, and alternate accommodations may be approved.  All disability information is considered confidential and will only be released with the student's written consent.  The process is summarized below:

Step 1: [STUDENT]  The student schedules an appointment with the Special Needs Services Office (234-9321. v/TDD) to arrange for services and receive an orientation.  The student completes Section 1 of the PETITION FOR ACCOMMODATION FORM and sends it to the appropriate practitioner.  [Note: Current medical documentation may be considered in lieu of Section 2 of the PETITION.]

Learning Disability:  Full diagnostic evaluation from an Educational Diagnostician, Licensed Psychologist or Psychiatrist

Health Disability:  Diagnosis from a physician

Hearing Disability:   Audiogram from an ENT or Audiologist

ADD/ADHD:   Diagnosis from a licensed psychologist/psychiatrist

Psychological:   Diagnosis from a licensed psychologist/psychiatrist

Step 2: [DIAGNOSTICIAN] The appropriate practitioner completes Section 2 of the PETITION FOR ACCOMMODATION FORM, attaches supporting documentation (as needed), and mails the document to the Special Needs Services Office.  NMSU-Carlsbad reserves the right to require an independent evaluation or consult an outside practitioner (paid by NMSU-Carlsbad) for a second opinion on a case-by-case basis.

 Step 3: [SPECIAL NEEDS OFFICE] After the PETITION FOR ACCOMMODATION FORM and related documentation of disability have been received by the Special Needs Office, an appointment is scheduled between the Special Needs Services Coordinator and the student to finalize the accommodation plan.

A letter will be mailed by the Special Needs Office to notify the student of the accommodations to be provided.  A student may provide additional documentation at any time for reconsideration of accommodations to be provided.

Once the plan for accommodation is in place, professors/instructors are advised via the FACULTY NOTIFICATION letters of the classroom accommodation(s) request.  FACULTY NOTIFICATION letters must be requested by the student from the Special Needs Services Office for each course, and  each semester the student is requesting accommodation(s).  It is the student's responsibility to hand carry the FACULTY NOTIFICATION letters to each instructor and discuss how the accommodation will be provided.

Step 4: [EEO APPEALS] Disability discrimination grievances may be filed with the Office of Institutional Equity and Employee Relations Office on main campus within ten (10) working days of the occurrence.

Problems:  If the student has concerns about his/her accommodations after meeting with his/her professors/instructors, it is the student's responsibility to report any problems to the Special Needs Services Office to avoid any misunderstandings.