Admissions·United States· 7 min read

Campus Safety and Disability Support Services at US Colleges

How US campuses handle safety — campus police, alerts, Clery reporting — and disability accommodations through the official disability services office.

Last updated 24 June 2026

Key facts

Safety body: Campus safety/police + emergency alert system
Your right to data: Annual Security Report (Clery Act) — publicly available
Accommodations: Through the disability/accessibility services office, confidentially
When to ask: Before or at the start of the term — start early

How campus safety is organized

US colleges typically have a campus safety or campus police department responsible for security on and around campus. They often run emergency alert systems, safety escorts, and reporting channels for students.

Campus safety/police department and a non-emergency contact number
Emergency alert systems (text, email, or app notifications)
Services like safety escorts, blue-light phones, and safety apps
Reporting channels for incidents and concerns

Your right to safety information: the Clery Act

Under the federal Clery Act, US colleges that participate in federal student aid programs must publish an Annual Security Report with campus crime statistics and security policies, and must issue timely warnings about certain threats.

This means you can review a school's safety information before and during enrollment. Look for the Annual Security Report on the school's official website, usually under campus safety or police.

Annual Security Report: published crime statistics and safety policies
Timely warnings and emergency notifications for certain incidents
Information on how to report crimes and access support
Available publicly — you can review it when choosing or attending a school

What disability support services do

US colleges have a disability or accessibility services office that arranges reasonable academic accommodations for students with documented disabilities. This is the official channel, and the process is confidential.

Accommodations are individualized based on documentation and an interactive review with the office — they are an institutional support, described here as neutral policy, not personal advice.

Examples can include extended test time, note-taking support, or accessible materials
Accommodations are based on documentation and an individualized review
The process is confidential and handled by the dedicated office
Physical-access and housing accommodations may be handled here or with related offices

How to request accommodations

Each school sets its own steps, documentation, and timelines, but the path is broadly similar. Starting early — ideally before or at the start of the term — gives time to set things up.

Find the disability/accessibility services office on the school's official site
Review what documentation they require and how to submit it
Request a meeting to discuss your needs and possible accommodations
Confirm how approved accommodations are communicated to instructors
Re-check the process each year or if your needs change

Putting it together when choosing a school

Safety and support resources are part of fitting a campus to your needs. Because details differ by school, use official sources to compare.

Read the Annual Security Report on each school's official site
Save campus safety and emergency numbers when you arrive
Contact disability/accessibility services early about documentation and timelines
Note any international-student-specific safety orientation your school offers
Ask the school directly about anything its official pages don't make clear

Frequently asked questions

Where can I find a college's crime statistics?

In its Annual Security Report, which US colleges in federal aid programs must publish under the Clery Act. Look on the school's official campus safety or police webpage; the federal Campus Safety and Security site also lets you look up data.

What is the disability services office and who can use it?

It's the official campus office that arranges academic accommodations for students with documented disabilities. Enrolled students with appropriate documentation can request support through it; the process is confidential and individualized.

Do international students get disability accommodations too?

Accommodations are generally available to enrolled students who provide the required documentation, regardless of nationality. Confirm the specific documentation and process with your school's official accessibility services office.

When should I request accommodations?

As early as possible — ideally before or at the start of the term — since gathering documentation and setting up accommodations takes time. Check your school's official process and deadlines.

How do campus emergency alerts work?

Most campuses run an alert system that sends notifications by text, email, or app for emergencies and timely warnings. Sign up or confirm your contact details with campus safety when you enroll, and review the school's official emergency procedures.

Official sources

This guide explains the process and is for guidance only. Eligibility, dates, fees and rules change every year — always confirm the current details on the official site before you act.

Verified against: U.S. Department of Education — Campus Safety and Security (Clery data tool); U.S. Department of Education — Campus Security (Clery Act resources); NCES College Navigator (look up a school).

Last verified: 24 June 2026.