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Students seeking accommodations and/or services are encouraged to contact DSS prior to or upon admission; there is no automatic referral from Admissions or other GW offices.  Furthermore, the University has no legal obligation to recognize any student as having a disability until that student has established eligibility with this office.

To ensure the provision of reasonable and appropriate services, students must first submit a completed registration form along with documentation that meets the eligibility criteria set by this office based on Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) guidelines. Generally, documentation must be no more than three years old. The records kept in our office are strictly confidential and are not part of a student's academic record.

Eligibility criteria for disability-related support services at The George Washington University includes:

• Verification of diagnosis and severity of disabling condition prepared by a qualified professional.
• Detailed description of how this impairment significantly limits a major life activity in an educational setting.

To review specific documentation guidelines, please click on the appropriate link:

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorders

Chronic Health Impairments

Hearing and Visual Impairments

Learning Disorders

Physical Disabilities

Psychological Disorders

Temporary Condition

Once the documentation has been received and reviewed, students will be notified of their eligibility status and encouraged to schedule a meeting with the Associate Director as soon as possible.  During this meeting, students will be instructed on how to obtain the accommodations and/or services for which the student is eligible.

We also encourage prospective students inquiring about the level of support available at GW to contact the Director or Associate Director and/or arrange for a meeting when visiting the campus.  If you have any immediate questions, please contact dss[at]gwu[dot]edu.