Applicants with Disabilities | Chapman University
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Chapman University supports equal access to education by offering comprehensive support
services.
This includes academic, housing, and dining accommodations.
Accommodations for those with disabilities
Chapman's
Disability Services
office helps students with disabilities by providing them with
ADA accommodations and alternative resources.
They do so by providing
personalized accommodations
. That is, disability services specialists meet with all interested students and family
members – including potential students and applicants – to discuss their disability
and accommodations.
To learn more about possible accommodations at Chapman, potential students/family
members can meet with a disability services specialist.
To schedule a consultation, you can contact Disability Services at (714) 516-4520
or
ds@chapman.edu
Disability Services is located on the second floor of Argyros Forum, in the same building
as the Visitors’ Center. Interested potential students can conveniently schedule an
in-person appointment with Disability Services before or after a
scheduled campus tour
Sarah Rightmire '23
Psychology major & Disability Studies minor
“As someone with an invisible disability, I wouldn’t have graduated from Chapman without
the Disability Services team. They always had my back, from providing accommodations
to discussing my educational goals. The help they provided allowed me not only to
graduate with honors but gave me the confidence to pursue a Master's degree.”
Academic resources and accommodations
You can find some common examples of accommodations for students with disabilities
on the
Disability Services page
Student clubs and organizations
The Spoonies:
a safe space of support for those navigating complex health conditions. T
hrough advocacy, workshops, and social events, The Spoonies foster understanding and
empathy while providing a safe space for students to share experiences and resources.
Follow The Spoonies on Instagram
Academic opportunities
The Disability Studies minor
offers you the opportunity to study the representation, history, and interpretation
of disability as a social category of human difference, rather than issues related
to the clinical diagnosis and treatment of impairments.
Visit the
Disability Studies Minor page
for more information.
Study abroad opportunities
If you’re interested in studying abroad, we can help you choose the best program fit
to ensure that you have a successful and safe experience
Our
Disabilities Abroad page
will help guide you through the process of identifying a study abroad program that
aligns with your needs and supports your sense of belonging.
Taylor Hein ’21
English Literature, Rhetoric, and Cultural Studies major
“It is very possible for someone with a chronic illness to study abroad and have an
incredible time while they are there. Living and studying in Ireland was one of the
best decisions I’ve ever made. I won’t ever stop talking about it or showing people
pictures of my travels and favorite moments.”
Housing accommodations
Housing accommodations are processed through the
Residential Life and First Year Experience office. Options for housing accommodations
include:
Placement in
hall rooms/suites/apartments that have been designed or retrofitted for accessibility
needs.
Permission to have emotional support/service animals
Visit the
Housing Accessibility page
for more information. You can also contact Residence Life with questions at
reslife@chapman.edu
Dining accommodations
Dining accommodations
include:
Gluten-free options.
Foods prepared with precautions against cross-contact from food you may be allergic
to.
Visit
the
Dining page
to
earn more about nutrition and request meal plan accommodations.
Outside scholarships for students with disabilities
Paying for college can be especially challenging for students with disabilities. While
Chapman
provides merit and need-based aid
, there are also several organizations that provide scholarships to students with
disabilities. These include:
Lighthouse Guild Scholarships
: Offers up to 20 scholarships a year to outstanding high school students from the
United States who are
legally blind
INCIGHT Scholarship
Offered to students with a
documented disability
who are pursuing higher education at a university. Applicants must
reside in California, Oregon, or Washington.
Anne Ford Scholarship
Offered to students who have received acceptance to a bachelor's program at an accredited
college or university. Applicants must submit proof of a documented
learning disability and/or ADHD.
Microsoft Disability Scholarship
Offered to students with disabilities who plan to attend a vocational or academic
college and
aspire to have a career in the technology industry.
Salix Gastrointestinal Health Scholar Awards:
Awarded to
students living with gastrointestinal (GI) diseases and disorders who are pursuing
higher education.
Heumann-Armstrong Award:
Awarded to
students with disabilities pursuing higher education who are willing to be interviewed
on video about their experience with their disability and ableism in education.
Neurodiversity Scholarship
Awarded to
students with identified neurodivergence like autism or ADHD
who plan to enroll at an accredited college or university and pursue careers such
as
clinician, educator, psychologist, therapist, or administrator.
Affordable Colleges
has
compiled a list of outside scholarships
that are specific to individuals with disabilities. The list is updated regularly
with application deadlines and scholarship amounts included. We strongly encourage
all students with disabilities and financial need to apply.
Frequently asked questions
If you can’t find the answer to your question, feel free to contact the Office of
Admission at
admit@chapman.edu
or (714) 997-6711.
Toggle Section
Is it common for students at Chapman to receive accommodations for their disability?
Yes!
Around 1,300 undergraduate Chapman students receive personalized accommodations and
support for their disabilities.
Registering with
Disability Services
is normal and encouraged for you to get the accommodations to help you succeed at
Chapman.
How can I learn what accommodations I will receive at Chapman?
Potential and incoming students can meet with a disability services specialist to
learn about the accommodations they can receive as a Chapman student. To schedule
an appointment
, y
ou can call
Disability Services
at (714) 516-4520 or email
ds@chapman.edu
While your
assigned Admission Counselor
is a valuable resource, we strongly advise you to turn to Disability Services for
all concerns about receiving personalized accommodations and support.
How do I disclose my disability during the application process? Is it required?
It is not required.
However, if your disability has played a significant part of who you are, you have
the option to disclose your disability in the "additional information" section on
the Common Application.
At times, applicants opt to incorporate their differences into their personal essays,
thereby revealing their disability in their application. Ultimately, the decision
is entirely up to you!
Can I meet with a Disability Services staff member before enrolling to make sure
my needs will be met?
Yes! Admitted students can meet with a disability services specialist to complete
the necessary forms and documentation during the summer matriculation period. That
way, you can feel assured that you will start at Chapman with the proper accommodations.
To schedule an appointment
, y
ou can call Disability Services at (714) 516-4520 or you can email
ds@chapman.edu
Will my professors be aware of my disability and the accommodations I receive?
Students who have registered with Disability Services can provide their accommodation
letters to their professors as they see fit.
The accommodation letter does not reveal their specific disability
; it only states the approved accommodation(s) so that professors can provide it.
Once I am registered with Disability Services, will my accommodations remain in effect
for the duration of my enrollment at Chapman?
Students are required to renew their accommodations every semester. It's important
to note that meeting with a disability services specialist is only mandatory during
the initial accommodation request and not for subsequent renewals.
How do I go about getting housing or dining accommodations for my disability?
For housing, visit the
Housing Accessibility page
to request housing accommodations, get more info or contact the office of Residence
Life with questions or comments.
You can learn more about dining accommodations on our
Dining website
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Call us:
(714) 997-6711
Text us:
(714) 942-5474
Send your documents:
Chapman University
Attn: Office of Admission
One University Drive
Orange, CA 92866
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