Coming to college for the first time is full of opportunities and challenges, and it can raise a lot of new questions for those with disabilities. As a student who rapidly developed a number of chronic conditions during my time at college that left me permanently disabled, I understand the difficulty of finding out what tools are available. Over the past few years, I have gained a greater understanding of the resources Cedarville provides and resources I can provide myself. So as you begin your time here at Cedarville, I hope that this simple guide can be of great help to you.
Choose a Dorm That Fits Your Accessibility Needs
There are a number of ways to make your life at school easier, even before you step foot on campus. First, you can look through the dorms that are available to you and check out their floor plans. Some of the dorms on campus do not have elevators, and you may want to avoid those dorms if you need one. Additionally, look through your schedule and compare it to your housing assignment. This campus is quite spread out, with some educational buildings even located on the edge of town, so if you fatigue easily or have limited mobility, try to choose a dorm close to the academic buildings you’ll be frequenting.
I help train service dogs on campus through 4 Paws for Ability.
Request Disability Accommodations at The Cove
The Cove is Cedarville’s academic enrichment center and serves as the central hub for disability accommodations, tutoring, and academic support. It’s a critical resource for any student who needs accommodations.
To get accommodations, students need to apply and provide The Cove with documentation of their specific disabilities. The Cove approves accommodations based on clinical testing and diagnosis from professionals. Accommodations could include recording lectures or getting extended time on exams.
Manage Daily Campus Life With the Right Tools and Support
If mobility challenges and/or fatigue are something you struggle with, I highly recommend bringing a car or even an electric scooter to campus. Not only will this get you across campus and into town more quickly, but it also significantly reduces fatigue. When I got my own car and scooter, I thought I would rarely use them. Now, I almost never leave the house without one or both!
Like most campuses, there is limited parking at Cedarville, and residential students are restricted as to where they can park. If you must drive to class or park your car on the opposite side of campus, I would encourage you to get a handicap pass to ensure close parking options. Otherwise, during busy hours, you may still end up needing to walk a distance from the closest available parking spot to your class!
Another possible issue to consider is the high noise level in chapel. If you are noise-sensitive or prone to migraines, you may find it very helpful to invest in a good pair of sound-cancelling headphones or (if you want to be more discreet) earbuds. I have not gone a day of chapel without my Loop earplugs since I first got them. Chapel is an exciting but very over-stimulating experience since the worship includes lighting effects, resonant bass and drum lines, and thousands of students packed together, so anything you can do to minimize the chaos can help.
My Loops earbuds help me manage the noise level in chapel.
Find Medical Care Near Campus
Students with chronic conditions should plan ahead for ongoing medical care near campus. If you live out of state, it is crucial that you establish a solid local care team to treat you while you are at Cedarville.
University Medical Services (UMS) offers campus health services and is extremely helpful with viruses, minor injuries, and small bouts of feeling unwell. However, they are not equipped to aid or treat those with chronic or debilitating conditions. They may have some recommendations, but you will largely need to find your care team on your own.
This is something to address sooner rather than later, as waitlists can be long, and you may need to expand your search to doctors 30 minutes away or more. Far-away appointments might require missing classes or completely taking a day trip to visit one doctor, in extreme cases. I had a few regular doctors that were an hour and a half away simply because I chose whoever could see me first at the time.
If you can, I would recommend finding one or two doctors you like in the same network and then sticking to that network as best you can. This makes finding and establishing care with new providers much easier.
Advocate for Yourself as a College Student With a Disability
Ultimately, the biggest thing a student with disabilities can do to make sure their college experience is a good one is to advocate for themselves. Self-advocacy is key to receiving disability accommodations in college.
From requesting meal plan removal because of dietary restrictions to working to get housing accommodations, you won’t receive accommodations unless you go through the processes to get them.
This also applies to in-the-moment situations, from things like a broken handicap button to your car being plowed in after a heavy snow. When you find yourself in need of help, contact those who can help you instead of trying to push yourself too hard.
Contact The Cove for academic accommodations, Cedarville’s maintenance team for repairs or manual labor assistance, and University Medical Services or the Cedarville EMTs if you are having physical difficulties.
There is a mountain of helpful resources available for students navigating disabilities at Cedarville University — you only have to reach out!
Cedarville’s EMTs are available to help you if you need them.
Class: 2027
Hometown: Wheaton, IL
Major: Psychology
Favorite Bible Verse: “Deep calls to deep at the roar of Your waterfalls; all Your breakers and Your waves have gone over me. By day the LORD commands His steadfast life, and at night His song is with me, a prayer to the God of my life.” – Psalm 42:7-8
Go to Coffee Shop Drink: I love trying all kinds of smoothies!
Fun Fact: I go hiking with my family in a different National Park each year!
Favorite Thing about being a Cedarville Student: I love how there is a place for everyone to enjoy at Cedarville, so long as you are willing to look for it.
Posted in: Campus Experience, College Life, Information, Practical Tips, Student Guide