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Student Disability Services

Information for Students

Applying for Accommodations

Registration with Student Disability Services is a separate process from the Application for Admission to the university. To be considered for accommodations, you must first submit verification of your condition based on Student Disability Services' guidelines and meet with the SDS director to discuss an accommodation request.
 
To complete the application process, you should follow these steps:
  1. First meet with the SDS director for an intake meeting. This may be scheduled by calling 479-788-7577, emailing ADAFREEuafs%2C or going to Flanders 114. This meeting will be an informational meeting in which you will discuss your individual needs and what type of verification documentation you will need to provide.
  2. Gather the required information and completed documentation and submit it to Student Disability Services for review.
  3. If approved, the SDS director will contact you to schedule a second meeting to discuss your accommodations in detail and finalize the necessary paperwork.
  4. The SDS director will prepare and email a copy of your Approved Accommodations Summary to you and your instructors.
  5. Meet with your instructors to discuss how your accommodations will be implemented. You and your instructors will sign the Approved Accommodations Summary form. If you or the instructor have any questions about this process, the SDS director should be contacted.
  6. Report any problems with accommodations to Student Disability Services.

It is your responsibility to request accommodations each semester/term by meeting with the SDS director for an accommodations review.

NOTE: To provide an opportunity to proceed in class without accommodation(s), some students may prefer to register with Student Disability Services by completing the application process but postponing the initial accommodations. To protect your right to do this, you are required to discuss and sign the Approved Accommodations Summary with instructors to initiate accommodations. This must be done before accommodations will be implemented. Instructors are not obligated to provide accommodations until they are notified by you in this manner. Retroactive accommodations cannot be made. Specifically, instructors will not accommodate prior exams, assignments, or any course-related activity before the Approved Accommodations Summary is delivered and discussed.

Documentation

The type of documentation required will depend on the disability you have been diagnosed with and will be determined during the initial intake meeting. Documentation examples may include a psychological testing report, psychoeducational testing report from an IEP 3-year reevaluation, or a letter from a qualified medical professional.

You are required to submit specific documentation to verify your eligibility for services. The documentation, which is provided as part of the registration process, must specify a major life activity (such as walking, eating, writing, or learning) that has been substantially limited by a disability. The type of documentation required will be dependent on the disability you have been diagnosed with and will be determined during the initial meeting with Student Disability Services.

This is to ensure that documentation of disabilities is appropriate, verify eligibility, and support requests for accommodations. These guidelines correspond with federal law and university policies. Student Disability Services follows all appropriate and applicable federal and state laws and university policies concerning the confidentiality of a student's disability and disability verification information. In general, Student Disability Services will not disclose or release information provided except as required by federal and/or state law and university policies.

Rights and Responsibilities

  • Equal access to academic courses offered by the University of Arkansas Fort Smith.
  • Equal access to housing at the University of Arkansas Fort Smith
  • Freedom from discrimination, exclusion, and/or retaliation in University programs or activities due to a disability
  • The same rights and privileges available to other students at the University of Arkansas Fort Smith
  • Receive reasonable accommodations due to a disability
  • Request changes and/or additions to accommodations
  • Appeal decisions related to accommodations
  • Select which approved accommodations to use in each class
  • Confidentiality regarding disability specific information
  • Have approved accommodations provided free of charge
  • Have information available in accessible formats

All students have the right to:

  • Register with Student Disability Services (SDS) as an individual with a disability and complete the accommodations approval process
  • Provide SDS with documentation to verify your eligibility for services
  • Assume any costs associated with obtaining testing, reports, examinations etc. associated with documenting a disability
  • Meet the university’s qualifications and essential technical, academic, and institutional standards
  • Meet with instructors to discuss accommodations and sign the Approved Accommodations Summary form
  • Request accommodations each semester by meeting with SDS for an accommodation review
  • Understand that accommodations are not retroactive
  • Remind instructors of accommodation needs three days prior to exams
  • Contact Student Disability Services at least one week prior to schedule your exam if needing to test in the SDS testing room
  • Notify SDS of any changes in your course schedule
  • Notify SDS if your instructor changes
  • Report any concerns and/or problems with your accommodations to Student Disability Services

Common Accommodations

The following are examples of common reasonable accommodations. Actual accommodations are determined on a case-by-case basis. This list is not all-inclusive.

  • Extended time – 50% or 100%
  • Quiet/private location – SDS testing room
  • Test reader – Screen-reader or human reader
  • Test scribe – speech to text software or human scribe
  • Large print
  • No scantrons
  • No virtual testing (Smarter Proctor) – SDS will proctor instead
  • Earplugs or noise-canceling headphones
  • Hand fidget device
  • Calculator – unless the purpose of the exam is to assess skills that can only be measured without the student’s use of a calculator
  • Voice calculator
  • Spelling dictionary
  • Brailed tests

  • Digital voice recorder – student may use a personal recording device, Smart Pen, cell phone, etc. to record lectures
  • Lecture notes on file – Electronic or paper copies of PowerPoint slides/overheads provided to students in advance of class
  • Large print
  • Calculator
  • Spellcheck/dictionary
  • Hand fidget device
  • Computer/electronic device for notetaking
  • Preferential seating - sit at front of room, close to door, etc.
  • Student may step out of class due to disability but will return
  • Accessible desk/table/chair
  • Student may occasionally miss class due to disability, will notify instructor
  • Enlargement software/device
  • Handouts in digital format
  • Notetaker – another student in class will provide copies of their notes to students, will be arranged by SDS
  • Sign language interpreter
  • Assistive listening device
  • Captioned videos
  • Access to food/water at all times
  • Brailed handouts

  • Electronic books
  • Brailed books
  • Screen-reader
  • Speech to text software
  • Service animal
  • Assisted listening device
  • Housing accommodations – including private room, private bathroom, first floor room, ESA, personal equipment/furniture, etc.
  • Sign language interpreter

Service and Assistance Animals

UAFS is committed to allowing individuals with disabilities the use of a service or assistance animal on campus to facilitate their full participation and equal access to the university’s programs and activities. This policy explains the specific procedures and requirements applicable to an individual’s use of a service animal or assistance animal.
 
This policy also applies to students and guests participating in summer conferences or New Student Orientation (Mane Event) and other short-term guests (i.e. local interns). Students and conference guests must follow the process outlined in this policy at least 10 business days before the start of the conference, orientation, or move-in.
 

If you wish to utilize a service or assistance animal on campus, contact Student Disability Services at 479-788-7577.

The University of Arkansas - Fort Smith defines a service animal by the standard of the Department of Justice Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Title III, revised Sept. 15, 2010.
 
Students who require the assistance of a service animal in classrooms or other public places on campus are encouraged to contact Student Disability Services by calling 479-788-7577, emailing ADAFREEuafs%2C or going to Flanders 114.

If you are planning to bring a service or assistance animal (emotional support animal) to residential areas of UAFS, you must follow the steps outlined below to obtain an exception from the UAFS no pets policy with a 10-day minimum approval.
  • Schedule an intake meeting with SDS by calling 479-788-7577, emailing ADAFREEuafs, or going to Flanders 114. This meeting will consist of understanding your disability and the need for a service or assistance animal in residential areas and ensuring you know the policy and procedures. You will receive a copy of the policy and all necessary documents that must be completed and returned.
  • Gather the required information and completed documentation and submit it to SDS for review. Remember, no animal may be present in any residential area of campus until the entire process is complete.
  • If approved, the SDS director will contact you to schedule a second meeting to sign the necessary paperwork.
  • Once approved by the SDS director, you will next schedule a meeting with the resident director of your housing facility by emailing HousingFREEuafs or going to the Housing Office in Sebastian Commons.
  • Absent extraordinary circumstances, only one animal will be approved per student.
  • Ordinarily, unless directed and needed otherwise, an approved service or assistance animal may not be present in residential areas of campus until 10 business days have passed after it has been approved by Housing and Residential Life.

Grievance Procedure

Students are entitled to appeal accommodation decisions of Student Disability Services, Housing, faculty, or other university entities.

UAFS is committed to a policy of ensuring that no otherwise qualified individual with a disability is excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of, or subjected to discrimination in University programs or activities due to his or her disability. The University is fully committed to complying with all requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504) and to providing equal educational opportunities to otherwise qualified students with disabilities.

Students should make every attempt to informally resolve problems they encounter through discussion with other persons involved and in a spirit of goodwill and cooperation. If potential problems are addressed early, they are less likely to escalate into grievances. Therefore, as a prerequisite to initiating formal grievance procedures, students shall first attempt to resolve their complaints informally by meeting with the Student Disability Services director. If the grievance is not resolved informally, then each student shall have the right to invoke the formal grievance procedure outlined below.

 

Any student who believes that he or she has been subjected to discrimination based on disability or has been denied access or accommodations required by law, shall have the right to invoke this Grievance Procedure. In general, this procedure is designed to address the following types of concerns:

  • Disagreements or denials regarding requested services, accommodations, or modifications to university practices or requirements.
  • Alleged inaccessibility of a university program or activity.
  • Alleged harassment or discrimination based on a disability.
  • Any other alleged violations of the ADA.

 

  1. An effort to resolve a grievance informally is required by university policy and is considered the first step in this procedure.
  2. If the Student Disability Services director cannot provide information or suggestions that resolve issues involving disability rights issues, the student may contact the assistant provost – Student Success and Retention to request assistance. This must be done within two weeks of the incident.
  3. The assistant provost will schedule a consultation among the assistant provost, the Student Disability Services director, the student, and the faculty member (if applicable) as the second step in resolving concerns.
  4. If an agreement concerning disability rights is not reached at this point, the assistant provost will notify the student in writing of the decision within one week of the meeting.
  5. The final step in the grievance process is a formal appeal filed by the student to the provost. This must be done, in writing, within one week of receiving notice from the assistant provost.
    • The written complaint must include:
      • A detailed explanation of why the student believes that he or she has been denied an academic accommodation, service, or modification as required by law. It is important to be specific with regard to any facts or policies supporting the student's position, including specific dates, names, and numbers of courses and instructors, and the names of any other persons with information relevant to the specific grievance.
    • In addition, the student should specifically identify the remedy or resolution he or she is seeking.
  6. The Provost will notify the student of the findings. The provost has the final authority to uphold, modify, or reverse the decision.

Although you are encouraged to attempt to resolve complaints about disabilities by utilizing this grievance procedure, you have the right to file a complaint directly with the U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights (OCR). Information regarding applicable timelines and procedures is available from OCR.