Student FAQs

1. To register with our office, you have to fill out the registration form. You can find this on the SARC website under Registration Process.
2. Then, you have to submit documentation from a care provider stating the diagnosis/disability and the accommodation(s) they recommend you have.
3. When all of that is submitted, your file will be sent to one of our coordinators to be reviewed.

Please note: If you are trying to get housing accommodations, you will also have to work with Housing and Residence Life (HRL) to secure your accommodations.

Click here for the SARC Registration Process.

First, you can use the Verification Form to collect the information we need. A license care provider can complete this form. The Verification Form can be found at https://www.wku.edu/sarc/documents/verf.pdf.

Secondly, we can send our Verification Form to your care provider that submitted documentation for you before. You will need to provide us with a FAX number or email address for your care provider. Please call us at 270-745-5004 or email us at sarc.connect@wku.edu to request this option.

Finally, you could provide documentation from your healthcare provider, such as a recent evaluation or letter on letterhead (no prescription pad notes accepted), stating your disability and recommendations for accommodation.

Please note: If you are applying for housing accommodations, we ask that you complete the Verification Form. You may submit the documentation via mail, email, fax, or in-person.

More information can be found on our website at https://www.wku.edu/sarc/registration_process.php.

You can submit your documentation by emailing it to sarc.connect@wku.edu, faxing it to us at 270-745-6289, or by dropping it off at the SARC office. Our office is located in Downing Student Union Room 1074.

You have a few options. You can call and ask that they send to yourself or the SARC the appropriate documentation via mail, email, or fax. Similarly, you can send them the Verification form (PDF), and it can be returned to our office upon completion.

Finally, we will gladly fax our Verification Form to your care provider. Provide the SARC with your care provider's name and fax number by emailing sarc.connect@wku.edu or calling 270-745-5004.

Students must provide disability related verification documentation substantiating the functional impact of the condition in order to receive the appropriate accommodations.

• We provide this Verification Form (PDF), to be completed by your care provider, which can be used as documentation.
• Students requesting housing accommodations are asked to complete the Verification Form rather than submit other forms of documentation.
• If requesting an emotional support animal students must submit the Verficiation form completed by a licensed mental health professional (e.g. licensed counselor, licensed therapist, psychologist, licensed clinical social worker, or psychiatrist – not a primary care doctor).
• Formal documentation on letterhead from your provider is another acceptable form of documentation. This could be a letter written by your primary healthcare provider, on their letterhead, that states your disability and what accommodations or services you require.
  
• Medical Documentation submitted can be a letter written from your primary healthcare provider OR the SARC Verification Form, but you DO NOT have to submit both. Other forms of documentation include a 504/IEP. However, we may request additional psycho-educational evaluations to help determine appropriate accommodations and services.
• This documentation is necessary to proceed with providing accommodations and services. Mail, fax, email, or bring the documentation to the SARC as soon as possible.

Note: Retrieving documentation is likely to warrant a visit to a health care provider. Complete this in a timely manner.

A Faculty Notification Letter (FNL) will list classroom and testing accommodations a student needs during the.

For each class, the professor and student must sign the FNL. These letters do not go into effect until they are signed by all parties and returned to the SARC office. In lieu of a signature, the Faculty members can email the SARC from their WKU email stating that they have received the students FNL.

Click here for more information about completing your FNL.

If you are allotted academic accommodations when your case is processed, access to the Faculty Notification Letter (FNL) will be sent to your TopperMail. You should keep a copy of this document for use each semester. The link to the FNL document expires 30 days after the email is sent. If you need a new one, please contact the office immediately.

Click here for more information about completing your FNL.

In lieu of a signature, the Faculty members can email the SARC from their WKU email stating that they have received the students FNL. You should carbon copy (CC) sarc.connect@wku.edu to the email.

Click here for more information about completing your FNL.

No, you do not need to register for accommodations each semester. If you are allotted academic accommodations when your case is first completed, access to the Faculty Notification Letter (FNL) will be sent to your TopperMail. You should keep a copy of this document for use each semester. The link to the FNL document expires 30 days after the email is sent. If you need a new one, please contact the office immediately.

To change or add accommodations, you will have to contact the SARC office.

Email sarc.connect@wku.edu your name, student ID, and the accommodation you would like to add. After we receive the email, we will send your file to one of our coordinator’s and someone will contact you.

Students who need communication access related accommodations for academic and campus events must first register with the Student Accessibility Resource Center (SARC).

Appropriate medical documentation verifying hearing loss, along with recommended accommodations from a licensed audiologist or physician must be submitted in advance of services.

Students are strongly encouraged to schedule an introductory meeting with the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Coordinator to discuss accommodation needs and create a communication access plan.  Additionally, regular communication with the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Coordinator is recommended.

Please visit the DHH webpage or email sarc.hearingconnect@wku.edu to request more information. 

For assistance with determination, contact the SARC staff. Extension of due dates are determined on a case-by-case basis.

To get your texts in an alternative format, complete the form located on the Accommodations and Auxiliary Aids page. 

After entering the textbook information you need converted into a digital format, you must also send a copy of your receipt for all of the texts.

If you need assistance completing the form, please contact our office.

Our office does not provide tutoring services. However, there are various resources on campus. Refer to the Academic Assistance section on the SARC Student Resource page.

If you need assistance completing the form, please contact our office.

 We believe the following documents will help you transition from a secondary to postsecondary education setting.

• "Auxiliary Aids and Services for Postsecondary Students with Disabilities: Higher Education's Obligations Under Section 504 and Title II of the ADA" from the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Civil Rights
  Click here to view on the OCR's website. 

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• "Students with Disabilities Preparing for Postsecondary Education: Know Your Rights and Responsibilities" from the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Civil Rights
  Click here to view on the OCR's website. 

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• "Right & Responsibilities: The SARC, The Student, & The Faculty" adapted by the SARC
  Click here for a Word document. Click here for a PDF document.
  
  
• "College is Different Than High School" adapted by the SARC
  Click here for a Word document. Click here for a PDF document.

Complete the SARC Registration process by sumbitting an online request and documentation for a licensed care provider. To file for an exemption, you will also need to apply on WKU Housing and Residence Life’s website.

Please note: If you are applying for a housing exemption, we ask that you complete the Verification form (PDF).

Review the Testing Procedure on our website and then fill out the Student Testing Form 7 days prior to the exam date.

Schedule your exam at the same date and time your class is scheduled to take it. If an extended time accommodation interferes with your course schedule, we can schedule for another time. Please, notify the SARC and the faculty member after completing the Student Testing Form. Any other reasons for testing at a different time should be discussed with the faculty member of the SARC.

Click here for more information about SARC Testing Services.

If you requested to take an exam at the SARC office, report to our office in DSU 1074 at your scheduled date and time.

You should first notify your professor of your need for accommodation by presenting your FNL. Then, you will need to request to take the exam at the SARC.

After the SARC office receives your testing request, we will email your professor the date and time that you put on your request. They will then send us all of the materials and information we need for your exam.

Remember to complete the Student Testing Form 7 days prior to the exam date. The SARC and faculty will need this time to coordinate the exam.

Click here for more information about SARC Testing Services.

The SARC registered students who have a note taking accommodation on file may utilize recording devices, note taker applications, or request a class Note Taker.

The student is responsible for working in partnership with Potential Classmates, Course Instructors, and/or the SARC to secure class notes.

For more information about SARC note taking Services please visit the note taking web page.

There are many assitive technology apps/programs that can assist you with note taking. You can find a list of these programs on the Assistive Technology page located on the SARC website. If you have any questions regarding these apps/programs, please contact the SARC office. 

Click here to view the SARC's Notetaking Technology page.

Click here to view the SARC's Assistive Technology page.

We cannot discuss the specifics of your file with your parents/guardians or other third parties until a FERPA form is signed in our office. This must be completed in the presence of a staff member at the SARC office.

Click here for more information about FERPA from the Registrar.

Yes. We send out general reminders, e.g. about finals week, about events we heard about, etc.

Click here to view the Parent Resource page.

Please, contact Parking and Transportation. Their number is 270-745-5747.

Email your professors immediately to let them know you will be out. It may also help to let them know how long you will be out of class, your plan for any work missed, and if you have a medical excuse from a doctor.  

Students with an injury or short-term recovery may not need to register with the SARC. However, it is always best to call and talk to a staff member if you think you need accommodation.

For transportation assistance due to an injury, contact Parking and Transportation at 270-745-5747.

Contact WKU Registrar’s office, and they can provide further instruction on medical excuse and absenteeism.