UConn's Policies and Procedures Regarding Students with Disabilities

Procedures for Accessing Services at Storrs

There are two primary resources at the Storrs campus for students with disabilities. If you have a documented learning disability, services may be available through the Center for Students with Disabilities (CSD) as well as the University Program for College Students with Learning Disabilities (UPLD); however, your initial contact should be with UPLD. Students with other conditions, including attention deficit disorder or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADD/ADHD) should contact the CSD.

Center for Students with Disabilities (CSD)

Any student with a documented disability may be eligible to receive services from the Center for Students with Disabilities (CSD). The purpose of accommodations and modifications is to reduce or eliminate any disadvantages that may exist because of an individual’s disability. The law does not require institutions to waive specific courses or academic requirements considered essential to a particular program or degree. Rather, they are mandated to modify existing requirements on a case-by-case basis in order to ensure that individuals are not discriminated against on the basis of their disability. Students wanting to access services must self-identify and provide appropriate verification of their disability. Eligibility for reasonable and appropriate accommodations will be determined on an individual basis.

Appropriate documentation will assist the student and the University in determining reasonable accommodations as stipulated under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and other pertinent state and federal regulations. Students requesting accommodations of either an academic or personal nature must meet with the appropriate disability contact person and present appropriate documentation prior to receiving services.

Documentation must be current, in most cases within three years of the current date, and must be submitted by a qualified practitioner. This documentation must be a comprehensive assessment including recommendations for accommodations as well as recommendations for treatment. The diagnostician must be an impartial individual who is not a family member of the student.

The following documentation guidelines are available on the Center for Students with Disabilities website at http://www.csd.uconn.edu/doc_guidelines.html

• Attention Deficit Disorder/Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADD/ADHD)
• Blind or low vision
• Deaf or hard of hearing
• Head injuries or traumatic brain injuries
• Learning disabilities (through the University Program for College Students with Learning Disabilities (UPLD)
• Physical and systemic disorders
• Psychiatric/psychological conditions
• Visual disorders - such as ocular motility dysfunction/eye movement disorders, vergence dysfunction/inefficiency in using both eyes together, strabismus/misalignment of the eyes, etc.

Reasonable accommodations depend upon the nature and degree of severity of the documented disability. While the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 requires that priority consideration be given to the specific methods requested by the student, it does not imply that a particular accommodation must be granted if it is deemed not reasonable and other suitable techniques are available.

University Program for College Students with Learning Disabilities (UPLD)

Sherine A. Miller, M.A. - Director
Neag School of Education
Gentry Building, Room 003
(860) 486-0178
(860) 486-5799 FAX

Accessing Accommodations and Services

To access accommodations and services, students with diagnosed learning disabilities (LD) must submit documentation to verify eligibility under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Protection under these civil rights statutes is determined on a case-by-case basis. Documentation of an LD that currently and substantially limits some major life activity including learning must be provided to the UPLD office. The University’s guidelines for documentation of a specific learning disability can be found at http://www.upld.uconn.edu.

Program Description

Accommodations including but not limited to testing (e.g., extended test time), notetaking assistance, and alternate format textbooks are determined by program staff and implemented in collaboration with the Center for Students with Disabilities (CSD). Students are encouraged to work with their academic advisors to plan coursework in a way that affords an opportunity for success. On a case-by-case basis, this may include a reduced courseload and extending the time period for degree completion. In conjunction with accommodations, services are offered along a 3-tiered continuum leading to increased self-determination. Components of Direct Instruction, Monitoring, and Consultation are illustrated in the UPLD Continuum of Services.

Many students with LD who have been successful in high school or at other postsecondary institutions find a need to develop or refine their “tools for success” in UCONN’s competitive academic environment. A trained staff of Learning Specialists (graduate students pursuing Masters and Doctoral degrees) are available to assist students in developing learning strategies to apply to their college coursework. All sessions are one-to-one and planned and scheduled in response to students’ goals each semester. Learning Specialists work with students to identify which level of program services will best meet their individual needs. Most students find it beneficial to access services at the Direct Instruction level and to progress at an individual rate through the UPLD Continuum as they experience increasing confidence and competence. Support services are available at no cost and for as long as a student needs them.

UPLD staff members also assist students as they enhance their self-advocacy skills for consulting directly with faculty regarding accommodations and related learning needs. Similarly, Learning Specialists encourage students to make use of existing campus resources such as the CSD, Academic Center for Entering Students (ACES), the Speech and Hearing Clinic, Writing Center, "Q" (Math) Center, Mental Health Services, and Career Services. Learning Specialists can assist students in monitoring their application of learning strategies and self-advocacy skills as they utilize the University’s extensive resources.

Please note that the one-to-one services of the Direct Instruction and Monitoring levels are available on a space permitting, first come, first served basis. If no positions are available at the Direct Instruction or Monitoring levels, students will be placed on a waiting list for these services but can receive Consultation services until a position becomes available. Also note that there is no limit on the number of students who can receive services at the Consultation level. All students registered with UPLD are eligible to receive individually appropriate accommodations.