I struggle with anxiety. My campus’s disability services center saved my college experience.

When I started college, I had no idea that there was a disability services center on my campus. I certainly didn’t know I was eligible to use it, as someone who struggles with anxiety.

Federal law requires universities to accommodate students’ mental and physical impairments. Specifically, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Federal Rehabilitation Act. I could have saved myself many panic attacks if I’d known about the extra testing time and private exam locations I had the option to use my freshman and sophomore year. When I started taking advantage of these services later in college, my experiences (and grades) vastly improved.

If you have any kind of disability or health issue that affects your academic performance, it’s worth finding out what services are offered on your campus. Here’s what you need to know.

Every university is required to provide “reasonable” accommodations

Most campuses have brick-and-mortar accessibility services centers. If they don’t, they’ll have an online center or website where you can learn about what services are offered and connect with staff.

“All colleges and universities are required to provide, at a minimum, reasonable accommodations that ensure equal access to all qualified students with disabilities,” says Julie Yindra, director of Student Access Services at Hofstra University. “However, the scope and exact nature of these accommodations, and whether or not services over and above those accommodations are provided, vary from school to school.”

When I was a student at Hofstra University, I worked closely with Student Access Services to make classes and testing comfortable for me. I received extra testing time, a (calmer) private testing location and note-taking software.

Similarly, Staci Ertel, a former communications student at Farmingdale State College, received accommodations for their ADHD and central auditory processing disorder.

“My accommodations included taking exams in a separate location and extended time,” they say. “I would get time and a half, meaning if a test was two hours long, I would get three to complete it. I also got access to the Students with Disabilities Center, where I went to do homework, as well as copies of class notes and recorded lectures.”

These are some of the most common accommodations you will see available at colleges. Some institutions may be able to offer more comprehensive services, like American Sign Language interpreters, transcribers who attend classes and take notes for you, Braille texts and customized classrooms and dorms for individual students.

Mental, physical and visible and invisible disabilities must be accommodated

Whether you have depression, generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, ADHD, or are in a wheelchair, have a visual or hearing impairment or limb difference, you are most likely entitled to receive accommodations. The same goes for eating disorders, chronic fatigue, bipolar disorder and other mental health diagnoses. As long as you have the proper documentation, your university should be able to help.

Julia Betancourt, a former student at Barnard College, was registered with the disability services center on her campus for her arm amputation, asthma and eczema.

“I had accommodations for extended time testing because typing with one hand is slow. I was also given a note-taking app that would record my lectures, so I could re-listen to it to fill in gaps in my notes,” she says. “For my asthma, I was given keycard access for certain elevators, access to wheelchair lifts and different corridors that made it easier for me to get around, since carrying a heavy book bag when you are missing one limb and have asthma is not easy.”

Any health condition that interrupts your education counts — it doesn’t have to be something visible. Stephanie Adams, a former history and education student at Loyola University in New Orleans, received accommodations for her generalized anxiety disorder and ADD. “I received priority when registering for classes, extended time on tests and a separate testing location,” she says.

You might need a note from a medical professional

Many accessibility offices require medical documentation in order to set you up with accommodations. This documentation will always stay private. The goal of this practice is to make sure that students with the most acute needs are prioritized.

“This process typically includes providing adequate documentation to verify the disability and the need for the specific accommodations being requested,” says Yindra.

When I applied, I filled out a form explaining why I was requesting accommodations, what support services I was looking for and how I felt they would be beneficial. Additionally, I submitted a note from my therapist describing my condition and why accommodations were necessary. This process might seem daunting, but it could make every day a little bit easier, and your doctors will almost certainly be happy to help.

Using accommodations doesn’t make you weak or lazy

You might feel nervous that professors will judge you for using accommodations. If you’re feeling anxious, I recommend visiting a professor during office hours to share more about your disability so they can understand your situation. You can expect most educators to be familiar with disability accommodations and for them to want to help you succeed. (If you ever do feel criticized or harassed for using accommodations, follow your school’s procedures for filing a formal discrimination complaint).

You also might hear that accommodations like extra testing time give students an unfair advantage or decrease the academic rigor of their classes. But keep in mind that you are taking the same tests as your peers. The accommodations just mean everyone is starting the race from the same line.

“Advocating for equal access and opportunity is a sign of strength,” says Yindra. “So is the willingness to stand up to a system often designed to exclude students with disabilities.”

If you can’t access an accommodation, you have options

Colleges are only obligated to provide “reasonable accommodations” under ADA. Given that many advocates argue that ADA doesn’t go far enough, Yindra says the reality is there may be cases where students have “greater needs than can be met,” such as executive function coaching or specialized tutoring.

In these cases, students will need to hire outside professionals to provide this extra support. However, colleges and students work together to define what “reasonable” looks like. Yindra explains that every college will have an appeals process, where you can push back if your college says they can’t accommodate something you need. If a student is dissatisfied with that outcome, the next step is to seek guidance from a federal office, like the Office for Civil Rights under the Department of Education.

“We tell all of our students to communicate with us and with professors if things aren’t working, so that adjustments can be [made],” says Yindra.

We’re a long way from a world where disabled students have totally equal access to education. But there’s no reason to put off taking advantage of the accommodations that your campus can offer right now.

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