Faculty & Staff

The Accommodation Process

Offices for Students with Disabilities

There are two University-designated agents responsible for determining reasonable and appropriate accommodations. The University Program for Students with Learning Disabilities (UPLD), which is part of the Neag School of Education, works with students with documented learning disabilities. The Center for Students with Disabilities (CSD), a department within student affairs, works with students with all other disabilities. In some cases, a student may have multiple disabilities (i.e., attention deficit disorder and a learning disability) in which case the student may work with both offices. It would not be unusual for a faculty member to receive an accommodation letter from one or both offices.

Accommodation Letters

Once a student is registered with the CSD, they are encouraged to request academic accommodations within the first two weeks of each semester. The CSD will then generate a confidential academic accommodation request letter to each faculty member indicating the student's requested accommodations. This means that the student has registered with the CSD, has a documented disability, and the CSD has determined what accommodations are appropriate. Faculty are encouraged to discuss these accommodations with students and CSD staff should any concerns arise. It is the responsibility of the student to notify the CSD if accommodations are not in place or are not effective.

Confidentiality

Students with disabilities are required to submit medical documentation to the CSD, which verifies their disability and need for appropriate accommodations. Documentation guidelines for specific disabilities may be accessed at our Policies and Guidelines pages. The CSD will maintain confidentiality and will not disclose any information pertaining to a student's disability to faculty unless we have written permission from the student. The CSD will inform faculty of the accommodation(s) it has determined the student needs to access an equal opportunity education so as to arrange reasonable accommodations.

Confidentiality of all disability information is essential. At no time should the class be informed that a student has a disability, except at the student's expressed request. All disability information, which the student gives to the faculty member, is to be used specifically for arranging reasonable accommodations for the course of study.