Purpose and Philosophy

At McDaniel College, the Student Academic Support Services Office (SASS) provides and assists all students with documented disabilities appropriate accommodations. Student Academic Support Services is the designated office that obtains and files disability-related documents, certifies eligibility for services, determines reasonable accommodations and develops plans for the provision of such accommodations.

Our mission is to create an accessible community where people are judged on their ability, not their disability. Student Academic Support Services strives to provide individuals with the tools by which they can better accomplish their educational and personal goals.

In post-secondary settings, it is the student’s responsibility to request in advance any individual assistance, if desired. It is important to remember that not every student with a disability needs an accommodation. It is equally important to remember that even though two individuals may have the same disability, they may not need the same accommodation. The College community is caring and supportive, with high academic and personal expectations for each student. The goal of the College and this department is to enable each student to achieve a full and productive life.

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 prohibit discrimination against individuals with disabilities.

Our Goals

The SASS Office strives to:

• Provide appropriate accommodations and support services
• Provide referrals and information to a variety of campus resources, including transportation
• Encourage and assist students with disabilities to develop greater independence
• Work with the college to remove architectural and programatic barriers
• Increase faculty understanding of the needs of students with disabilities
• Assist the college in interpreting legal mandates that provide for students with disabilities