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Brain Injury

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Welcome

RCPD works together with Michigan State University to provide a variety of academic and workplace services and accommodations to individuals with brain injuries. RCPD strives to foster independence in the learning process and assists both students and employees in learning to utilize appropriate strategies, accommodations, and additional resources. Brain injuries fall under two categories: traumatic brain injuries, associated with trauma to the head or skull, and acquired brain injuries, which occur on a cellular level and are not hereditary, congenital, or degenerative. Even though traumatic and acquired brain injuries occur differently, both may impact the way a person thinks, feels, acts, and moves, and can also affect body functions and sensory perception. Each person with a brain injury is unique; physical disabilities, impaired learning, and personality changes are common. Accommodations will vary according to documentation. (more information about brain injury)

The information on this page is meant to be helpful to you as you seek answers to your questions about services and accommodations for individuals with brain injuries. In addition, disability specialists coordinate disability type programs, and are available for consultation with faculty and staff to evaluate and address specific needs of students, faculty and staff. We look forward to working with you to help maximize your experience at MSU!

Getting Started (MyProfile)

Log on to the MyProfile page with your MSU NetID and password to register with the Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities. MyProfile provides online forms and initiates communication with a Disability Specialist.

Documentation

Documentation of a disability must appear on official letterhead from a licensed medical or diagnostic professional and include a diagnosis, scope or degree of involvement, and summary of related functional limitations.

After documentation of a disability has been provided and a needs assessment is completed, reasonable accommodations are determined. RCPD will provide a verification letter that includes: (a) verification of disability and status as a student or employee registered with the RCPD (b) an outline of reasonable accommodations.

Students will receive a Verified Individualized Services and Accommodations letter, otherwise known as a VISA.

Employees will receive a Statement of Employee Accommodation Determination letter, otherwise known as a SEAD.

Confidentiality

RCPD adheres to strict standards of confidentiality in the management of student information. Since RCPD is the only holder of disability documentation, all disability-related documentation should be directed to RCPD (not other campus departments).

Accommodations

RCPD recognizes that accommodations may be required in order to assist individuals in maximizing their educational and workplace experience at MSU. While the university is required to provide reasonable accommodations, it is not required to change essential academic requirements or job functions.

Before Requesting Accommodations, students and employees must Identify and Register as a person with a disability and provide appropriate documentation of their disability to RCPD. Employees should refer to the Reasonable Accommodations Policy for University Applicants and Employees, for the procedure on requesting worksite accommodations.

Students and employees with Brain Injury may be eligible to receive the following accommodations facilitated by RCPD:

Resources

Building Community

MSU provides many venues for collaboration and community building on disability issues. Please consider becoming involved in the following organizations:

Frequently Asked Questions

If you have further questions that have not been answered on this page, please refer to the FAQ Page.

The Specialist Spotlight

Looking to Join a Student Organization? 

 

Join Neuro Network!

 

Neuro Network is a MSU registered student organization. Founded in October 2008, Neuro Network was established with the following goals in mind:

 

·     To educate about the effects of neurological injuries and disorders, possible preventions and the adjustment process

·     To engage in outreach efforts at MSU and surrounding communities in order to provide greater awareness of neurological injuries and disorders

·     To provide members with networking, social and volunteer opportunities

·     To contribute to self awareness of its members

·     To establish the opportunity for meaningful exchange of ideas as individuals and as a group

·     To recognize and encourage leadership and achievement

 

For further information, please contact Virginia Rutan at walkerv4@msu.edu or (517) 884-1908.

 

Contact Information

Virginia Rutan

Virginia Rutan

Cognitive Disabilities
Brain Injury
Student-Athlete Liaison
(517) 884-1908


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