Disabilities Services

Disabilities Services is here to assist and support cadets through this process, cadets must first identify a need and seek out services. 

• Selecting a College for Students with Learning Disabilities and ADHD
• National Center for Learning Disabilities
• CHADD (Children and Adults with Attention Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder) 

CHADD is the nation’s leading non-profit organization serving individuals with ADHD and their families. Chapters offer support for individuals, parents, teachers, professionals, and others.

LD Online is the world’s leading web site on learning disabilities and ADHD, serving more than 200,000 parents, teachers, and other professionals each month. LD OnLine seeks to help children and adults reach their full potential by providing accurate and up-to-date information and advice about learning disabilities and ADHD.For New Cadet Parents

The main goal for students with disabilities in higher education is to learn how to self-advocate and communicate his / her strengths and needs effectively. However, you play an important role as a parent.

• Make sure your son or daughter self-identifies as a cadet with a disability to Disabilities Services at the Miller Academic Center.  This is encouraged before the Rat year begins, even if he or she does not plan to take any major accommodations. The transition to college can be one of unforeseen changes and adjustments which is why it’s so important to be proactive.  Once registered through Disabilities Services, the office can assist your son or daughter to advocate for self and provide a layer of support should any problems or difficulties arise.
• After your son or daughter registers with Disabilities Services, any and all copies of documentation will be needed. (Please review Documentation Guidelines for what is needed in your packet). VMI requires extensive documentation so that we can determine what accommodations may be necessary for your son or daughter. The more information we have, the better we can serve and support your son or daughter.
• Your most important role is support. As a Rat, cadets go through many challenging days.  It’s important to stress self-advocacy, perseverance, and keeping focused on short and long term goals.  Graduation numbers from the past several years show cadets with disabilities graduating at the same rate as those without disabilities.
• Encourage your son or daughter to take advantage of the support services at VMI.

For New Cadet Parents

The main goal for students with disabilities in higher education is to learn how to self-advocate and communicate his / her strengths and needs effectively. However, you play an important role as a parent.

• Make sure your son or daughter self-identifies as a cadet with a disability to Disabilities Services at the Miller Academic Center.  This is encouraged before the Rat year begins, even if he or she does not plan to take any major accommodations. The transition to college can be one of unforeseen changes and adjustments which is why it’s so important to be proactive.  Once registered through Disabilities Services, the office can assist your son or daughter to advocate for self and provide a layer of support should any problems or difficulties arise.
• After your son or daughter registers with Disabilities Services, any and all copies of documentation will be needed. (Please review Documentation Guidelines for what is needed in your packet). VMI requires extensive documentation so that we can determine what accommodations may be necessary for your son or daughter. The more information we have, the better we can serve and support your son or daughter.
• Your most important role is support. As a Rat, cadets go through many challenging days.  It’s important to stress self-advocacy, perseverance, and keeping focused on short and long term goals.  Graduation numbers from the past several years show cadets with disabilities graduating at the same rate as those without disabilities.
• Encourage your son or daughter to take advantage of the support services at VMI.

Disability Services treats as confidential, any written material obtained to verify a disability, to plan for appropriate services, or to document services and contacts with this office.

The following are guidelines used by Disability Services regarding disability related information:

• All disability related information regarding cadets served by Disability Services is housed in the Director of the Miller Academic Center’s office.
• All disability related information is kept in separate files for each cadet and housed in secure file cabinets. This information is also stored in a secure electronic database system housed within Disability Services.
• Disability Services utilizes a secure, password protected, electronic database to store cadet information, cadet documents, and records of appointments. This information is accessible only in the MAC by an authorized MAC staff person.
• Only staff persons working at the MAC have access to paper and electronic files.
• Cadets who request services/accommodations acknowledge that some level of disclosure to select faculty members may be necessary to provide the requested accommodation(s). Disclosure will occur with the cadet’s specific written permission with the understanding that only necessary information for the purposes of accommodation will be communicated.
• A cadet may request to review the contents of his/her own paper and/or electronic file. This review must be done in the presence of a MAC staff member. All information in the file is the property of the MAC. Cadets may receive copies of only disability related records verifying the disability and the need for services and accommodation(s). Cadets must sign a release for the copies and an inventory list of all materials copied will be kept in the folder.
• Five (5) years after the last date of enrollment, all materials in a cadet’s folder in the MAC will be destroyed.

Any cadet who feels he or she has been unfairly denied an accommodation may obtain a review of the decision by submitting a written request to the Dean of the Faculty.

The Superintendent may make the final review. A cadet who is not satisfied with VMI’s response may appeal to: 

Office of Civil Rights
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
200 Independence Avenue, SW
Room 509F, HHH Building
Washington, DC 20201
Phone: (800)368-1019
TTD: (800)537-7697

While the review is in process, the cadet is entitled to continue to receive any accommodation recommended by the Director of the Miller Academic Center. 

Any faculty or staff member who wishes to question an accommodation or related ruling concerning a cadet should first contact the Director of the Miller Academic Center. If the Director’s response is found to be unsatisfactory, a written appeal can then be made to the Dean of the Faculty. The Superintendent may make the final review. While the review is in process, the cadet is entitled to continue to receive any accommodation recommended by the Director of the Miller Academic Center.