Abilities Office

It’s not a disability, it’s a different ability!

“Your success and happiness lies in you. Resolve to keep happy, and your joy and you shall form an invincible host against difficulties.” –Helen Killer

Greetings from the CSU Abilities Office! As a prospective student, we want you to know that Chicago State University (CSU) offers services to our students in order for you to feel that cocoon of support.  I encourage you to look into the services provided by the Abilities Office of Student Services.  Our role is to help increase access to learning by reducing barriers here at Chicago State University. 

The Abilities Office provides services to all Chicago State University students with verified disabilities, chronic health conditions and temporary impairments.

Here are some of the services we offer:

• Provide reasonable and appropriate accommodations
• Work with students and faculty in determining individualized accommodations
• Provide access to services and available equipment.
• Provide auxiliary aids as appropriate
• Teach advocacy skills to students
• Act as mediator or advocate for students when appropriate and maintain the confidentiality of the disability.

If you believe that you could benefit from our services, please seek us out as soon as possible.  In some cases, the process can take several weeks; so it is important to reach out early to get things in motion!

Qualified students with disabilities, who seek reasonable accommodations and support services, including use of auxiliary aids or programmatic modifications or adjustments, must register with the Abilities Office. The Abilities Office Coordinator for additional guidelines. The Abilities Office is located in the Counseling Center in the Cordell Reed Student Union Building, Room 190, telephone (Voice) (773) 995-2380, (TTY) (773) 995-3761.

Questions and Answers with the Abilities Office

What is the first step for requesting accommodations through the Abilities Office?

The first step is to complete an Accommodation Request Form which can be found here.

How long does the process take?

All services require at least a two-week notification. (In some circumstances services may be provided sooner but ample notification is still required.)

Services and accommodations do not include the following: personal attendants, individually prescribed devices, or readers/typists for personal use or study time.

What is the Purpose of Accommodations?

The purpose of academic accommodations is to assure that there is equal access to and the opportunity to benefit from all educational programs of Chicago State University. Chicago State acts in accordance with two relevant laws: Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act.

I had an IEP throughout elementary school and high school; does my IEP transfer to college?

No. The IEP is a document and process specific to primary and secondary education.  Post-secondary education (college) is regulated by a different regulation and therefore requires a different process. However, your IEP documentation MAY help progress your Accommodations through the Abilities Office.

We are located in the Cordell Reed Student Union Building, Room 190.

If you have additional questions, comments, and or concerns please contact us by calling us. (Voice) (773) 995-2380, (TTY) (773) 995-3761.