Office of Student Life
Disability Services

Orientation

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SLDS Overview

Student Life Disability Services (SLDS) collaborates with the university community to create an accessible educational experience for students with disabilities.  “Disability” in this context is a broad term that includes mental health conditions, ADHD, chronic health issues, learning disabilities, temporary injuries and sensory/physical disabilities. We partner with students, faculty and staff to design accessible environments and to provide academic accommodations and support services.

Overview Resources:

Connecting with SLDS over the Summer 

SLDS is open Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. During Summer 2025, we offer phone calls and virtual appointments, and we have staff on-site and welcome a visit to our office. For a brief consultation with an Access Specialist, students and their families are welcome to call between 10 AM -1 PM and 2 P -4 PM  each business day. Additionally, on each Day Two of Orientation, SLDS will be offering tours and a brief presentation at 11 AM and 1 PM.  This presentation will include an overview of the registration process, services, and accommodations. 

Getting Registered with SLDS

SLDS encourages incoming students to complete their registration over the summer so that they can start autumn term fully registered and beat the beginning-of-semester rush. For academic accommodations, the ideal time to register is after you have finalized your coursework during orientation.  If you are interested in Housing accommodations, you should register as soon as possible.

The registration process involves three steps:

(1) submitting an online application and uploading disability documentation

(2) receiving a "Schedule Your Welcome Meeting" email to your Buckeyemail account

(3) scheduling and completing your Welcome Meeting with your assigned Access Specialist.


All Welcome Meetings are conducted virtually via Zoom or phone by default; in-person meetings are available upon request.  During your Welcome Meeting, you and your Access Specialist will discuss: 

  • Disability-related barriers you may encounter in college

  • Accommodations to address those barriers 

  • How to set-up and utilize your accommodations at Ohio State 

Please visit our How To Register page for more information.


Requesting Accommodations for Orientation

Students and family members who need disability-related accommodations (e.g., alternative text format,  interpreting/transcribing) during orientation should contact the Ohio State Orientation contact or complete the Orientation Accommodation Request Form at least two weeks in advance. 

Ohio State Orientation accommodations point-of-contact: Jenny Osborn (Osborn.21@osu.edu / 614-292-3324).

Requesting Placement Test Accommodations

Incoming Ohio State students may take placement tests for English, foreign language and mathematics courses. SLDS wants to ensure that you have equal access for your placement test experience. If you need accommodations for a placement exam, please complete the following steps:

  1. Begin by submitting a New Student Application and upload the required documentation.
  2. Once you have received a "Schedule Your Welcome Meeting" email (sent to your Buckeyemail account), please call the office Monday through Friday between 10:00 AM–1:00 PM and 2:00 PM–4:00 PM  (Phone: 614-292-3307; VP: 614-500-4445) to speak with the drop-in Access Specialist. They will process your placement test accommodations request.

In order to receive additional accommodations at Ohio State, you will still need to complete the registration process by scheduling and attending a Welcome Meeting with your assigned Access Specialist. We encourage you to schedule your Welcome Meeting over the summer.

Connect with the College2Careers Program (State of Ohio Vocational Rehabilitation)

Ohio College2Careers, a partnership between The Ohio State University and Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities, aims for students with disabilities to have the support they need to complete their degree and/or credential, earn higher wages, and meet the demands of tomorrow’s labor market.

The College2Careers Counselors embedded at Ohio State are Shelby Kohler (Shelby.koehler@ood.ohio.gov) and Tiffany Smith (Tiffany.smith@ood.ohio.gov).

Some of the services available through Ohio College2Careers include:

  • Career exploration and counseling
  • Scholarship support opportunities
  • Assistive technology
  • Resume and interview preparation
  • Internships and permanent employment
  • Assistance navigating OhioMeansJobs resources
  • Connection to an expansive employer partner network

To find out if you are eligible for services, visit www.OODWorks.com.

Want to learn more about OOD? It’s the state agency that helps individuals with disabilities get careers and keep careers.  OOD serves individuals with physical, intellectual, and sensory disabilities as well as mental health disorders.  Further information about OOD and its services is available at www.ood.ohio.gov.