<p>I was at Smith in 2004-2005. I’m deaf. I had NO problem at all with the Disabilities Services. My friends were only too happy to take notes for me and make copies (of course getting paid to take notes in a class doesn’t hurt). I did ask DS to give me some names of students whom I could contact just to talk and how to survive. They became wonderful mentors while I was there. Professors are extremely understanding. I loved the writing center. I don’t know if they still do it but back in my day (gasp and this is only 5 years ago!) English professors used to offer writing help and set up appointments. So I was always over there for writing help. I got my choice of houses and they put me in a room with accommodation. I didn’t really like it because it was too far from all of my housemates (on the first floor). So I asked to switch rooms and they were more than happy to install the strobe light system (whereas in my next school I had to fight like hell). </p>
<p>Just register yourself with the office, find out exactly what you’re entitled to and tell them what you received in high school, and you’re all set. You may need to compromise a bit but as long your basic needs are covered, you should be happy.</p>
<p>Believe me, there are other schools where students with disabilities have bigger problems with the office and University administration.</p>