Overview of the DSS Registration Process
How to apply with DSS:
Complete Your DSS Registration Form in SharePoint
Step 1. Complete the DSS Registration Form in SharePoint
To register with our office for either academic or housing accommodations, you must first complete an electronic registration form that is housed in our administrative portal, provided by Microsoft SharePoint.
When entering this portal, you will be prompted to enter your GW email address and password. This email address should be consistent with the one that you use to access GW email, Blackboard, and related applications. Similarly, your password should be the same one that you use to access your GW email account and related applications.
Any information or documentation you can readily share can be included or uploaded with the form. Review our documentation guidelines to learn what information is helpful to share.
Step 2. Meet with a DSS Representative
After submitting the DSS Registration Form and supporting documentation, students will receive an email notification via their GW email account from DSS to schedule a meeting during the registration process. The registration meeting may take place via telephone, Zoom, or Webex.
The information gathered during the registration meeting will be reviewed with the registration form and supporting documentation to determine eligibility for academic/housing accommodations, auxiliary aids, and services.
Step 3. Receive and Review Eligibility of Accommodations Notification
Students will receive an electronic eligibility letter and email message via their GW email account containing the steps required to secure accommodations and auxiliary aids in their classes. The eligibility letter will include the student's approved accommodations and auxiliary aids and directions for requesting Letters to Professors (LTPs).
Note: It can take at minimum 1-2 weeks to process registration requests based on the number of registrations received in a given period. Incomplete documentation or failure to schedule a registration meeting with a DSS staff member can delay the registration process.
Step 4. Request Letters to Professors or Connect with Your Program's Dean or Program Director
Once you have completed the registration process with DSS and received your eligibility letter, you are required to request digital Letters to Professors for each class you would like to use accommodations or auxiliary aids. Letters to Professors provide faculty with notice of the accommodations you are eligible to use in their classes. Professors are not obligated to meet your request for accommodations without receiving a copy of your Letters to Professors. Accommodations are not retroactive.
Some DSS students are required to contact their college or school's Dean or program director to finalize the implementation of accommodations and do not require Letters to Professors. DSS will notify students during their registration meeting and via their eligibility letter if they need to contact their program director instead of requesting Letters to Professors.
Note to Newly Matriculating Students
If you are newly matriculating to GW, either as a first-year student or as a transfer student, you will not be able to access our registration portal until you have received a GW email address. Please complete the necessary processes with the appropriate admissions office (and any other relevant offices) before attempting to register with Disability Support Services
Complete Your DSS Registration Form in SharePoint
"Upload Supporting Documentation" or "Request Additional Accommodations"