Disability Services

About Disability Services

The Disability Office provides services for students with disabilities at Peru State College. Located inside the Center for Achievement and Transition Services (CATS), the Disability Office will assist students with determining eligibility for services, document verification and on-going assistance. Students who are interested in learning more about these services may contact the Educational Support and Disability Services Coordinator for more information. Please e-mail any questions to Sara Halvorsen.

Mission Statement

Peru State College Disability Services provides reasonable and appropriate accommodations to qualified students with disabilities and assures them equal access to campus programs and activities.

Click the tabs below for additional information about Disability Services at the College:

Step-by-Step Process for Requesting Accommodations at Peru State

The process for seeking accommodations at Peru State includes four steps.

Each student should complete an initial inquiry form disclosing their disability and requesting reasonable accommodation. Completing the form is the first step to receiving accommodations at Peru State College. This form is not a replacement for a formal consultation with the Disability Services Coordinator nor is it a binding agreement to provide services.

Click here to complete the Student Initial Request for Accommodation Form.

The Disability Services Coordinator can also be reached by email at shalvorsen@peru.edu, by personal contact in Office 102 of the Center for Achievement and Transition Services (CATS) Building or by telephone at 402-872-2440.

Each student needs to schedule a consultation appointment with the Disability Services Coordinator to discuss the documentation necessary to receive services and complete the formal disability services application. Based on the documentation, written request and conversations with the student, the Coordinator will help determine if a student is eligible for Disability Services and notifies the students of his/her status.

When a student is identified with a qualifying disability, the Coordinator works with the student to develop a plan for reasonable accommodation and the student completes a privacy release to share information on campus. This document identifies relevant instructors and staff - including current course instructors, an academic advisor or staff in Residence Life - with whom the Coordinator may discuss the student's request for accommodation.

A student seeking accommodation must provide the Disability Coordinator with written disability documentation that reflects current abilities supporting the requested accommodation during the consultation appointment.

To meet Peru State standards for accommodation, documentation must be current (typically no older than five years) and include:

  • A clear and current diagnosis of the student’s condition by a qualified professional.
  • Credentials of the evaluator or a statement of the evaluator’s qualifications.
  • Relevant educational, developmental, or medical history; and/or results of a psycho-educational evaluation.
  • A description of the functional limitations of the condition.
  • The tests and assessments used to arrive at the diagnosis.
  • Specific accommodations recommended by the qualified professional and supported by the diagnosis and functional limitations.

Types of documentation typically submitted by students with disabilities include the following:

  • High school records such as an Individual Education Plan (IEP), 504 Plan, Summary of Progress (SOP), or Multidisciplinary Team Report (MDT).
  • Evaluation by medical personnel, including diagnosis.
  • Results of a psycho-educational battery of tests performed by a licensed psychologist/psychiatrist.
  • Current medical records, including diagnosis and prognosis.

A student may directly send documentation materials to the Disability Coordinator by mail, fax or email. Students should contact their care provider(s) directly to have documentation sent to Peru State.

Written documentation received is housed in CATS 102 as confidential material, reviewed by the Disability Coordinator, and used to make a determination about eligibility for accommodations.

Peru State College has the right to deny or delay a request for reasonable accommodation, academic adjustments, and/or auxiliary aids if documentation does not meet the institution’s requirements or is not received in time to arrange them.

After appropriate accommodations have been determined, and any necessary supplemental paperwork is complete, a copy of the letter listing accommodations requested is also provided to the student.

During the first week of classes, each student is strongly encouraged to speak to instructors about using accommodations and follow-up with the Disability Coordinator regarding any barriers encountered in implementing the plan. The student is required to notify the Disability Coordinator immediately of any changes in class schedule so letters of accommodation can be sent to appropriate instructors.

Step Four is repeated by the student near the end of each term in order to arrange accommodations for the next term. Each student needs to speak to the Disability Coordinator and sign paperwork to make this extend this request for the following semester. Students should plan to complete this step after registering for classes.

Special Housing Requests should be completed prior to the beginning of the semester in which the accommodation is requested. Additional documentation is required in order to determine if the accommodation request is reasonable.

Click here to complete the Special Housing Request form. Once received, the Disability Services Coordinator will contact the student to complete required paperwork and discuss your needs.


Responsibilities of Students Using Disability Services

  • Letting instructors know they have a disability and are seeking accommodation.
  • Following-up with instructors once accommodation request letters have been sent to be sure both parties agree on the plan for reasonable accommodation.
  • Working with instructors and following requirements for arranging testing accommodations in the CATS Building at least two school days ahead of requested test dates.
  • Promptly notifying the Disability Coordinator about any barriers encountered during implementation of the plan for reasonable accommodation or dissatisfaction with services provided.
  • Visiting with the Disability Coordinator near the end of each term to complete required paperwork for requesting accommodations for the next term.

  • Attending classes regularly and maintaining academic standards required by the College.
  • Abiding by the Student Code of Conduct.
  • Meeting their educational and personal needs while enrolled at Peru State.


Arranging Testing Accommodations in CATS

Students must be approved for test-taking accommodations through the Disability Services.

Approved students are responsible for scheduling tests in advance. Every test or examination requires a new Request for Testing Accommodations form. The Request for Testing Accommodations form must be signed by the student and the instructor of the course.

The form may be returned to the Disability Coordinator in person or by instructor e-mail. This form must be on file in CATS 102 at least two (2) school days before the requested testing date and time.

Please refer to the form below for more information.

Student Request to Schedule Test Accommodations Form

Accommodated Testing Procedures

Students using test proctoring services in CATS are expected to arrive on time. Late arrivals may be subject to rescheduling.

Upon arrival, students are asked to secure their belongings in one of the lockers near the CATS front entrance. Cell phones are not allowed in the testing room.

The staff proctor will accompany the student to the testing location and verify the student only has approved testing materials listed on the Request for Testing Accommodations form.

The proctor will record the start time and monitor the student and testing location for test security purposes.

At the end of the allotted time, the proctor will collect the test, whether or not the student is finished and record the stop time on the Request for Testing Accommodations Form.

When the test has been completed, the CATS staff member will return it to the instructor via the process specified. The student may then retrieve their personal items and return the lock and key to the front desk.

Note: Instructors and CATS staff expect students to complete their tests in accordance with instructor guidelines and the Student Code of Conduct.

During testing, if a student is found to have non-approved study aides in the testing room, the test will be stopped by the proctor.  The time will be noted on the Request for Testing Accommodations form and the materials and the test will be taken and secured so the instructor can determine a course of action.

If a proctor directly observes a student committing any act of academic dishonesty, the proctor will stop the test.  The time will be noted on the Request for Testing Accommodations form and the materials and the test will be taken and secured so the instructor can determine a course of action.

Instructors provide instructions and advise the CATS staff about what test-related materials have been approved for student use during the test (e.g., calculators, notes, textbooks, etc.) on the completed Request for Testing Accommodations form. If the instructor does not list a test-related material on the Request for Testing Accommodations form, it will not be allowed in the testing room for student use.

When an instructor provides testing materials, CATS staff will store them in a locked test drawer until the student arrives.

Welcome to Peru State College Disability Services


Peru State College welcomes all students and encourages each learner to be active in the life of the campus community. The College is committed to ensuring equal access to programs and activities for all community members.

The College provides reasonable accommodations and civil rights protections to all students who self-disclose documented disabilities under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) as amended in 2008. Students with disabilities are encouraged to contact the Disability Services Coordinator to discuss or request academic, residence life, or dietary needs accommodations.

Disability Services is housed in Room 102 in the Center for Achievement and Transition Services (CATS) Building on the Peru State campus. The campus’ process for seeking disability services has four steps which are facilitated by the Coordinator of Disability Services.

This staff member works individually with students as they self-disclose their disability, request reasonable accommodation, and provide written documentation of their disability. The Disability Coordinator assists students with application for disability services, development of an individualized plan for reasonable accommodation, and supports students and instructors during the plan’s implementation.


Step-by-Step Process for Requesting Accommodations at Peru State


The process for seeking accommodations at Peru State includes four steps.

Each student should complete an initial inquiry form disclosing their disability and requesting reasonable accommodation.  Completing the form is the first step to receiving accommodations at Peru State College. This form is not a replacement for a formal consultation with the Disability Services Coordinator nor is it a binding agreement to provide services.

The Disability Services Coordinator can also be reached by email at shalvorsen@peru.edu, by personal contact in Office 102 of the Center for Achievement and Transition Services (CATS) Building or by telephone at 402-872-2440.

Each student needs to schedule a consultation appointment with the Disability Services Coordinator to discuss the documentation necessary to receive services and complete the formal disability services application. Based on the documentation, written request and conversations with the student, the Coordinator will help determine if a student is eligible for Disability Services and notifies the students of his/her status.

When a student is identified with a qualifying disability, the Coordinator works with the student to develop a plan for reasonable accommodation and the student completes a privacy release to share information on campus. This document identifies relevant instructors and staff - including current course instructors, an academic advisor or staff in Residence Life - with whom the Coordinator may discuss the student's request for accommodation.

A student seeking accommodation must provide the Disability Coordinator with written disability documentation that reflects current abilities supporting the requested accommodation during the consultation appointment.

To meet Peru State standards for accommodation, documentation must be current (typically no older than five years) and include:

  • A clear and current diagnosis of the student’s condition by a qualified professional.
  • Credentials of the evaluator or a statement of the evaluator’s qualifications.
  • Relevant educational, developmental, or medical history; and/or results of a psycho-educational evaluation.
  • A description of the functional limitations of the condition.
  • The tests and assessments used to arrive at the diagnosis.
  • Specific accommodations recommended by the qualified professional and supported by the diagnosis and functional limitations.

Types of documentation typically submitted by students with disabilities include the following:

  • High school records such as an Individual Education Plan (IEP), 504 Plan, Summary of Progress (SOP), or Multidisciplinary Team Report (MDT).
  • Evaluation by medical personnel, including diagnosis.
  • Results of a psycho-educational battery of tests performed by a licensed psychologist/psychiatrist.
  • Current medical records, including diagnosis and prognosis.

A student may directly send documentation materials to the Disability Coordinator by mail, fax or email.  Students should contact their care provider(s) directly to have documentation sent to Peru State.

Written documentation received is housed in CATS 102 as confidential material, reviewed by the Disability Coordinator, and used to make a determination about eligibility for accommodations.

Peru State College has the right to deny or delay a request for reasonable accommodation, academic adjustments, and/or auxiliary aids if documentation does not meet the institution’s requirements or is not received in time to arrange them.

After appropriate accommodations have been determined, and any necessary supplemental paperwork is complete, a copy of the letter listing accommodations requested is also provided to the student.

During the first week of classes, each student is strongly encouraged to speak to instructors about using accommodations and follow-up with the Disability Coordinator regarding any barriers encountered in implementing the plan. The student is required to notify the Disability Coordinator immediately of any changes in class schedule so letters of accommodation can be sent to appropriate instructors.

Special Housing Requests should be completed prior to the beginning of the semester in which the accommodation is requested. Additional documentation is required in order to determine if the accommodation request is reasonable.

Click here to complete the Special Housing Request form. Once received, the Disability Services Coordinator will contact the student to complete required paperwork and discuss your needs.


Responsibilities of Peru State College Students Using Disability Services

  • Letting instructors know they have a disability and are seeking accommodation.
  • Following-up with instructors once accommodation request letters have been sent to be sure both parties agree on the plan for reasonable accommodation.
  • Working with instructors and following requirements for arranging testing accommodations in the CATS Building at least two school days ahead of requested test dates.
  • Promptly notifying the Disability Coordinator about any barriers encountered during implementation of the plan for reasonable accommodation or dissatisfaction with services provided.
  • Visiting with the Disability Coordinator near the end of each term to complete required paperwork for requesting accommodations for the next term.
  • Attending classes regularly and maintaining academic standards required by the College.
  • Abiding by the Student Code of Conduct.
  • Meeting their educational and personal needs while enrolled at Peru State.


Visit Campus

Students with disabilities who are considering attending Peru State are encouraged to visit campus and make arrangements to talk about the process for seeking reasonable accommodation. Prospective students can sign up for a campus visit here.  If the “ADA/Disability Services” option is marked on the web form, an individual meeting to discuss Disability Services will be arranged.

Sara Halvorsen headshot
Sara Halvorsen

Educational Support & Disability Services Coordinator
Schedule an Appointment