UConn's Policies and Procedures Regarding Students with Disabilities

The Accommodations Process

Responsibilities of the Disability Contact Person Include:

• Determining eligibility for participation of students with disabilities in the academic accommodations process based upon a review of appropriate documentation.
• Determining appropriate accommodations for each student based on the individual’s need.
• Assuring the student receives appropriate accommodations.
• Interacting with faculty when appropriate.

Responsibilities of the Student Include:

• Contacting the Disability Contact Person at the campus he/she is attending at the beginning of each semester so that appropriate accommodations can be requested in a timely manner. Students are strongly encouraged to make this contact within the first two weeks of each semester. This includes filling out the required paperwork, which indicates the student’s need (e.g., extended time to complete exams, note taker, sign language interpreter, laboratory assistant, etc.).
• Providing the Disability Contact Person with appropriate medical, psychological, psychoeducational, or neuropsychological documentation indicating the student’s disability, resultant functional limitations, impact of the disability in a postsecondary environment and any recommended or suggested accommodations.
• Providing signed consent authorizing the Disability Contact Person to discuss his/her need for reasonable accommodations, academic adjustments, and/or auxiliary aids with the professional source of his/her documentation.
• Informing the faculty member or professor at the beginning of each semester about his/her disability, how performance may be affected, and necessary and reasonable accommodation(s). (This responsibility is optional for students at the School of Law.)
• Meeting the timelines and procedural requirements established by the Disability Contact Person for scheduling exams, requesting assistance, arranging with a faculty member, and/or the Disability Contact Person for getting the exam to the location of testing. If the student fails to provide adequate notice of the need for space and/or assistance, he/she is still entitled to the accommodation, but there is no guarantee that it can be provided in the fullest measure.
• If the student fails to comply with these requirements, he/she will receive a written reminder of responsibilities in order to stress the importance of these requirements.

Responsibilities of the Faculty Member Include:

• Discussing with the Disability Contact Person any concerns related to the accommodation(s) or arrangements that have been requested by the student during their initial contacts.
• Determining the conditions under which the exam is to be administered (e.g., open book, use of notes, computer with word processing including spell check, formula sheet, calculator, scrap paper, dictionary).
• Providing appropriate accommodations, either personally or by making arrangements with the Disability Contact Person.
• Assuring the timely delivery of the exam, along with all necessary instructions and materials for proper administration, if a student’s exam is to be administered outside of class. The faculty member may also make arrangements with the student for the delivery and return of the exam.
• Assuring the confidentiality of information regarding students with disabilities.