Student Disability Accommodation FAQs

To request disability accommodations at UAFS, start by scheduling an intake appointment with Student Disability Services (SDS).

You can schedule an appointment:

• Email: adaFREEuafs (use your UAFS email account)
• Phone: 479-788-7577

During this appointment, you will:

• Learn about the accommodations process.
• Review what documentation may be needed.

SDS will guide you through the next steps based on your individual needs. If you’re unsure whether you qualify, SDS can help you determine eligibility during your appointment.

Accommodations are determined through an interactive process between you and Student Disability Services (SDS)

SDS considers several factors during this process, including:

• Your disability documentation
• Recommended accommodations
• Your individual needs and experiences
• Any accommodations you have received in the past

This process helps ensure your accommodations are appropriate and tailored to your specific situation.

Disability accommodations are designed to reduce barriers and provide equal access to your education. The specific accommodations you receive will depend on your individual needs.

Common types of accommodations may include:

• Testing accommodations (extended time, quiet testing environment)
• Classroom accommodations (note-taking support, accessible materials)
• Assistive technology (screen readers, speech-to-text software)
• Housing accommodations (if applicable)

For a full list of examples, visit the Examples of Disability Accommodations page.

The documentation you need will depend on your disability and will be discussed during your intake appointment with Student Disability Services (SDS).

Documentation should come from a qualified professional and describe how your disability impacts your academic experience.

Examples of documentation may include:

• A psychological or psychoeducational evaluation
• Documentation from an IEP or 504 plan
• A letter from a qualified medical or mental health professional

If you’re unsure what documentation you have or what you may need, SDS will work with you to determine the appropriate next steps.

Tutoring is not considered a disability accommodation in college.

However, free tutoring is available to all UAFS students through the Academic Success Center.

You can request disability accommodations even if you have never received them before.

Student Disability Services (SDS) works with many students who are newly diagnosed or who are requesting accommodations for the first time.

To get started, schedule an intake appointment with SDS. During this meeting, you will.

• Learn about the accommodation process
• Discuss your needs
• Review what documentation may be required

SDS will work with you to determine appropriate accommodations based on your individual situation. If you’re unsure of the situation, SDS can help guide you through the process.

UAFS does not provide personal services as part of disability accommodations. In higher education, services of a personal nature are not considered reasonable accommodations.

These may include:

• Attendant or personal care
• Transportation services

Student Disability Services (SDS) provides accommodations that support equal access to academic programs, such as testing, classroom, and housing accommodations.

If you have questions about what services are available, SDS can help you explore appropriate options.

Student Disability Services (SDS) does not share your diagnosis or disability-specific information with instructors.

Instructors receive only your Approved Accommodations Summary, which lists the accommodations you are approved to use.

You decide whether to share any additional information about your disability with your instructors. You are not required to disclose disability-specific information.

Registering with Student Disability Services (SDS) does not appear on your UAFS academic record.

Your participation with SDS is confidential and is not included on transcripts or academic records.

Whether you choose to disclose your disability is entirely up to you. Some students choose to share this information so their advisor can better support them, but it is not required.

Student Disability Services (SDS) will not share your disability-specific information without your permission.

You are not required to disclose your disability or provide documentation to faculty, staff, or other offices.

Student Disability Services (SDS) manages all disability documentation. Instructors and staff only receive information about your approved accommodations, not your diagnosis or documentation.

Your Approved Accommodations Summary is typically sent to your instructors by the end of the first week of each semester.

After it is sent, you are responsible for meeting with your instructors to discuss how your accommodations will be implemented.

You must meet with Student Disability Services (SDS) each semester to continue receiving accommodations.

To do this, you will need to schedule an accommodation review appointment, where you can confirm or update your accommodations for the upcoming semester.

Information about scheduling your appointment will be emailed to you 6-8 weeks before the end of the current semester. If you do not complete this step, your accommodations will not be active for the next semester.

You can request additional accommodations at any time. You do not need to wait until the next semester to request changes.

To get started, contact Student Disability Services (SDS) and schedule an accommodation review appointment.

During this appointment, you will:

• Discuss your current needs
• Review possible changes to your accommodations

Determine if additional documentation is needed

If you disagree with an accommodation decision, you have the right to request a review.

To do this, follow the Student Grievance Procedure, which outlines the steps for appealing a decision made by Student Disability Services (SDS). This process ensures your concerns are reviewed fairly and thoroughly.

You can find more information on the Disability Accommodations: Rights and Responsibilities page.

If you have questions about the process, SDS can help explain your options.

Accommodations are not retroactive.

They only take effect after:

• You are registered with Student Disability Services
• Your Approved Accommodations Summary has been sent to your instructors
• You have met with your instructors to discuss your accommodations

This ensures accommodations are applied consistently and appropriately moving forward.

To schedule a test in the SDS testing room, contact Student Disability Services (SDS) by:

• Calling the office (479-788-7577)
• Emailing SDS from your UAFS email account
• Visiting the SDS office in person (Room 114, Flanders)

Schedule your test at least one week before the test date.

SDS will make every effort to accommodate requests with less than one week’s notice, but availability is not guaranteed.

The SDS testing room cannot be used for SmarterProctoring exams.

Students taking SmarterProctoring tests will need to arrange a separate quiet testing space, such as a study room in the library.

You are responsible for notifying your instructor at least three days before your scheduled test date.

This ensures your instructor can provide the necessary testing materials and coordinate with Student Disability Services (SDS).

Encourage the student to contact Student Disability Services (SDS) to begin the accommodation process.

Faculty and staff should not provide accommodations unless they have received an Approved Accommodations Summary from SDS.

You should also:

• Refer the student to SDS if they are not already registered
• Avoid requesting documentation or details about the student’s disability

SDS will work directly with the student to determine appropriate accommodations.

Accommodations are determined through an interactive process between the student and Student Disability Services (SDS).

During this process, SDS evaluates several factors, including:

• Disability documentation
• Recommended accommodations
• The student’s individual needs and experiences
• Any previous accommodations received

This process ensures accommodations are appropriate, reasonable, and aligned with course requirements. Faculty members who have questions about a specific accommodation are encouraged to contact SDS to discuss how it applies to their course.

Faculty and staff should never ask students to disclose their disability or provide documentation.

All disability documentation is reviewed and maintained by Student Disability Services (SDS). Faculty only receive information about a student’s approved accommodations, not their diagnosis.

If a student requests accommodations but is not registered with SDS, refer them to SDS to begin the process. This helps protect student privacy and ensures accommodations are handled consistently.

Faculty are required to provide approved accommodations to students with disabilities in accordance with federal law, including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

These accommodations are determined and approved by Student Disability Services (SDS). Faculty are responsible for implementing the accommodations listed in a student’s Approved Accommodations Summary.

Failure to provide approved accommodations may result in non-compliance with federal regulations.

All students are expected to follow the University Code of Conduct, regardless of disability status.

If a student is disruptive or behaving inappropriately, respond to the behavior in accordance with standard classroom or university procedures.

You should also:

• Address the behavior directly and appropriately
• Follow your department and the university’s conduct policies
• Contact appropriate campus resources if the situation escalates

A student’s disability does not excuse behavior that violates the Code of Conduct, but the Student Disability Services (SDS) office can provide guidance if you have concerns about how to respond.

Do not accept or keep the documentation

Instead, return it to the student and refer them to Student Disability Services (SDS).

SDS is the only office that reviews and maintains disability documentation. Faculty should only receive information about a student’s approved accommodations, not their documentation or diagnosis.

All exams must be submitted by 2 p.m. on the business day prior to the scheduled test date.

For example:

• If a test is scheduled for Monday, it must be submitted by Friday at 2 p.m.

Exams and the required Test Intake Form may be submitted by:

• Sending them to the SDS network printer
• Dropping them off at the SDS Office (Room 114, Flanders)

If the office is closed, materials may be placed in the drop box outside the office.

All exams must include a completed Test Intake Form

You should also include any handouts, references, or resource sheets needed for the test.

Student Disability Services (SDS) will provide:

• Scratch paper

You can choose to involve family members, guardians, or others in your support system.

However, all official communication from Student Disability Services (SDS) will be sent directly to you as the student.

If you would like others to be involved, SDS can discuss options with you.

Disclosing a disability during the admissions process is voluntary. UAFS does not discriminate against students with disabilities and your decision to disclose a disability during the admission process will not affect your standing.

Requesting disability accommodations is a separate process from admissions.

To be considered for accommodations, you need to:

• Schedule a meeting with Student Disability Services (SDS)
• Provide documentation of your disability
• Meet with SDS to discuss your needs

SDS will work with you to determine appropriate accommodations based on your individual situation.

Not necessarily. Accommodations are determined on a case-by-case basis at UAFS.

While previous accommodations are considered, each institution has its own policies and processes.

At UAFS, accommodations are determined through an interactive process between you and Student Disability Services (SDS), which may include:

• Your disability documentation
• Your individual needs
• Any previous accommodations you have received

You are encouraged to provide documentation of past accommodations when meeting with SDS.

IEPs and 504 plans from high school do not automatically transfer to college.

However, they can be helpful as supporting documentation when you meet with Student Disability Services (SDS).

To receive accommodations at UAFS, you will need to:

• Schedule an appointment with SDS
• Provide documentation of your disability
• Meet with SDS to discuss your needs

SDS will work with you to determine appropriate accommodations based on your individual situation.

To receive accommodations for concurrent UAFS classes, you should first contact the representative at your high school who coordinates concurrent or dual enrollment programs (such as a counselor or concurrent advisor).

They will work with Student Disability Services (SDS) to submit the required documentation and coordinate your accommodations.

Because concurrent students follow a different process than traditional college students, your high school will help guide you through the next steps.