Disability Self Assessment

Students with disabilities are more successful when they have a good understanding of their difficulties, what they need, and where to go for help. The questions below are designed to assess your knowledge of your disability, needs, supports, and coping strategies. If you can answer all these questions, you know yourself and your disability much better than the average student does! You are also likely to be a better communicator and self-advocate.

If you have a tough time with this self-assessment or don't understand why these questions are important, consider meeting with your accessibility counselor to discuss your concerns.  

Disability Label and Descriptions

  • How would you describe your disability in your own words?
  • How do professionals describe your disability?
  • How long have you had this label and how do you feel about it?
  • How did the professional come up with this label or diagnosis? (For example, did you describe certain symptoms or participate in medical or psychological testing?)
  • If tests were administered, what was the conclusion? Do you understand the results?
  • Do you have a copy of any test results or other paperwork documenting your disability?

Disability-Imposed Limitations and Need for Accommodations

  • How does this disability impact your life?
  • How does the disability affect you in a university setting?
  • What do you do to minimize the effects of this disability? What makes your symptoms or difficulties worse?
  • Have you ever used accommodations for this disability? What were they? How effective were they?
  • What services or accommodations might be useful now? Are you using these accommodations? Why or why not?

University Experiences and Goals

  • Have you talked to instructors about being a student with a disability and explained your specific accommodations?
  • If so, what has this experience been like? If not, what has prevented this?
  • How comfortable are you when talking with University staff about your needs?
  • What are your educational and career goals?
  • What do you need to do to reach these goals?
  • What other support might you need to reach your goals?

Strengths, Supports, and Coping Skills

  • What are your strengths?
  • What are the ways you prefer to learn?
  • What personal support systems do you have?
  • What are your interests? What do you do for fun?
  • How do you best relax?
  • In what areas are you most successful? What things do you do well?
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