The Center for Accessibility and Disability Resources at Saint Louis University supports SLU students along their pathway to success and achievement.
ADHD/ADD Academic Coaching
If you have been diagnosed with attention deficit disorder or attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder, SLU has dedicated resources designed to help you succeed. Our ADHD/ADD coach can help you with the following:
- Identify campus resources to prepare you for success at SLU
- Develop the personal skills to better organize your time and complete tasks
- Improve executive functioning skills, such as planning, organizing, and balancing your time management
For more information about our ADHD/ADD academic coaching, please contact the ADHD/ADD coach at adhdcoaching@slu.edu or 314-977-3484.
Communicating with Instructors
It is the student’s responsibility to initiate communication with their instructors to implement their accommodations. CADR strongly recommends reaching out to instructors immediately upon receiving their letter of academic accommodations to discuss with them how accommodations will be implemented.
Are you unsure of how to approach an instructor regarding your accommodations? Please see the following documents to help navigate your communication with instructors.
- Student Guide: Communicating with Instructors (PDF)
- Student-Instructor Initial Communication Email Template (PDF)
- Flexible Attendance and Flexible Deadlines Accommodations: A Student Guide (PDF)
- Memory Aids for Exams and Quizzes Informational Guide (PDF)
Sensory Room
The Center for Accessibility and Disability Resources provides a sensory room for all SLU students. Students can also work with the occupational therapy program to undergo an assessment before using the sensory room.
To schedule an appointment to use the sensory room:
- Log into auth.slu.edu.
- Select EAB Navigate.
- Select "Schedule an Appointment."
- Select "Student Services."
- Select "Sensory Room BSC 331."
- Select an appointment time.
Please check in at the front desk in the Busch Student Center, Suite 331. Students must sign a waiver form before using the sensory room.
Diagnostic Testing and Assessment
The Center for Accessibility and Disability Resources is a reference point for students seeking support. If you are a student who believes you might have an undiagnosed disability or diagnosis, we can assist you in finding services for diagnostic testing and assessment.
There are locations throughout the St. Louis community that test for cognitive, psychological or neurodevelopmental disabilities. However, the Center for Accessibility and Disability Resources typically encourages students to begin with Psychological Services on SLU's campus. This resource provides a discount to enrolled SLU students. There are costs associated with testing, but those costs can vary.
Psychological Services at Saint Louis University
Other St. Louis Area Testing and Assessment Locations
SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Medical Center
314-977-5667
Visit SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Medical Center
University of Missouri-St. Louis (UMSL) Community Psychological Services
314-516-5824
Visit University of Missouri-St. Louis (UMSL) Community Psychological Services
Washington University Psychological Services Center
314-935-6555
Visit Washington University Psychological Services Center
Employment-Transition Resources
SLU offers resources for students with disabilities seeking employment opportunities during and after college.
- Career Services has specialists who can answer questions about job searching, accommodations within specific career fields, and navigating the workforce with your disability.
- The Center for Accessibility and Disability Resources works closely with the Starkloff Disability Institute. Starkloff helps students with disabilities transition into their professional capacities after college and prepare their professional skills to enhance their careers.
- The Job Accommodation Network (JAN) is the leading source of free, expert and confidential guidance on workplace accommodations and disability employment issues. Working toward practical solutions that benefit both employer and employee, JAN helps people with disabilities enhance their employability and shows employers how to capitalize on the value and talent that people with disabilities add to the workplace.
- The Workforce Recruitment Program connects federal and private-sector employers nationwide with highly motivated college students and recent graduates with disabilities who are eager to demonstrate their abilities in the workplace through summer or permanent jobs. For more information on this program, interested students should contact SLU’s career services at career_services@slu.edu.
Assistive Technology Resources
Ally is an accessibility tool integrated into Canvas. Students can use this tool in their Canvas course sites to convert files, documents, and Canvas pages into alternative formats such as OCR, audio, ePub, and electronic Braille.
The AskSLU Canvas Ally page has more information on Ally and how to use the tool.. There also is information on the Ally for Students webpage.
Using alternative text formats is an academic accommodation available to students who need printed materials, including textbooks, in alternative formats. Alternative text formats typically include the following file types: DOC, EPUB, PDF, RTX, TXT or XML. Exact availability depends on the material and the publisher of the material.
Students should be aware that a request may take time to complete. Students may be required to surrender the textbook to create an alternate text format.
Before requesting texts in an alternative format, please review the following steps:
- Determine eligibility for an alternative text format accommodation by meeting with a staff member in the Center for Accessibility and Disability Resources.
- Complete the Alternative Text Format Request Form via DocuSign. You must attach your proof of purchases/receipts to the form.
- Inform the Center for Accessibility and Disability Resources staff of any course changes. This should be done each semester.
- Receive an email indicating that alternate format materials are ready.
Because it can take two to three weeks to receive texts in an alternative format from book publishers, students are asked to submit their request forms at least four weeks before the start of the academic semester to avoid delays.
Students also may be able to convert course materials in Canvas to alternative formats on their own, using Ally for Canvas. You can learn more about this tool by visiting the AskSLU Canvas Ally page.
Apple Accessibility Software
Apple has several accessibility features already built into products such as the iPhone, iPad or Mac. Included in these accessibility software options is an industry-leading screen reader, VoiceOver, which can provide entire-screen descriptions. In addition to VoiceOver, Spoken Content and Speak Selection are also included in accessibility software through Apple products. VoiceOver allows individuals to hear the entire content on the screen read aloud. Using Speak Selection, individuals can select a separate range of texts to be read aloud, in which the user can also control the pace of the speech with the Speech Controller.
Balabolka
Balabolka is a text-to-speech program that uses the computer voices already installed on your Windows system. The on-screen text can be saved as a WAV, MP3, MP4, OGG or WMA file.
Central Access Reader
Central Access Reader is a free, open-source, text-to-speech application for students with print-related disabilities. CAR reads Word docs and pasted text using the voices installed on your computer. Available for Windows and Mac.
Kurzweil
Kurzweil 3000's digital literacy suite integrates several text and audio-based accommodations. Customizable reading, writing, study and test-taking tools are easily accessible from the program's floating toolbars. The standalone version does not require a subscription and access to program features will not expire.
NaturalReader
NaturalReader is a text-to-speech software with natural-sounding voices. It can convert any written text in digital formats (Microsoft Word, web pages, PDF files and emails) into spoken words. NaturalReader can also convert text into audio files such as MP3 or WAV for your iPod or smartphone.
NVDA
NVDA is a free, downloadable text-to-speech program for individuals who use a Windows operating system. This program utilizes a built-in speech synthesizer, supports over 50 languages, recognizes textual formatting (font name and size, style, and spelling errors), and can be controlled simply by using a mouse to initiate text-to-speech needs. This program can support text-to-speech requirements in popular applications such as Google Chrome (and other popular web browsers), email portals, PDFs, and office programs such as Microsoft Word.
YUZU, through the SLU Bookstore
Many textbooks are now available digitally through the SLU Bookstore's e-reader, YUZU. You can purchase e-books directly from the site and get an access code emailed to you instantly that will allow you to download and read your book. YUZU has a web app and an iPad app.
The Center for Accessibility and Disability Resources has a braille embosser to create documents and other necessities for students who are visually impaired or blind students who use Braille to learn and communicate. Students are encouraged to contact the Center for Accessibility and Disability Resources to schedule an appointment to use the braille embosser.
Saint Louis University provides assistive technology and equipment to students registered with the Center for Accessibility and Disability Resources. Assistive technology includes FM systems, WritingBirds, talking calculators, smart pens, lecture microphones and lecture recording devices. Students borrowing equipment from our office will be asked to sign an equipment loan agreement form that outlines roles and responsibilities. This form will be kept on file throughout the equipment loan.
Saint Louis University's Pius XII Memorial Library acquired an ebook and audiobook application that is now available to the SLU community, Libby. To explore Libby, please visit the Libby informational webpage.
Medical equipment (e.g. wheelchair, scooter, and/or crutches) is available for use on SLU’s campus through several resources, including:
- The Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX
DuBourg Hall, Room 36
314-977-3838
Several manual wheelchairs are available for loan to students at any time.
- MEDI Equipment
5845 S. Lindbergh Blvd., St Louis, Missouri
314-892-7000 - Missouri Medical Supply
8523 Olive, St. Louis, Missouri
314-925-0528 - Health Care Mobility
9030 Gravois, St. Louis, Missouri
314-544-2211
Prices for equipment loans may vary. Details will be discussed during your intake appointment. Additional questions can be directed to the Center for Accessibility and Disability Resources.
Required Accommodation Agreement Forms
Listed below are academic accommodation agreement forms for students to complete when utilizing their accommodations. These forms are only required if a CADR staff member approves and implements a specific accommodation. These forms will be completed and submitted entirely online via DocuSign, unless there is a request made for a paper version.