The specific accommodations for which a student will be approved depends upon the documentation provided, the essential elements of the courses or programs, and the functional limitations created by the student’s disability. The following are some of the accommodations and services which may be requested by students.
Accommodations
For some students with disabilities, adaptive technology, equipment, or furniture in the classroom is necessary to provide equal access. Auxiliary equipment may include ergonomic chairs, accessible tables, and FM system amplification.
Attendance in class is expected for students participating in the university experience. However, if a student’s condition directly impacts their ability to attend class on a periodic basis, some flexibility might be necessary and appropriate.
Student may be approved for the use of a assistant, reader, or scribe in the classroom to aid with tasks that are significantly impacted by a student’s condition. This accommodation is dependent upon the student’s limitations and the course requirements.
Classroom locations may be moved to ensure all programs and activities are accessible.
Exam accommodations vary but can include extended time, a reduced distraction location, a private room, the use of a reader and/or scribe, the use of a computer or assistive technology, and/or additional breaks.
Please review our Exam Accommodation Information and Policies webpage.
Depending upon the impact of a student's condition, an accommodation may be to allow for extended time to complete and turn in assignments, papers, or projects.
The Center for Disability & Access can assist in ensuring that housing locations and facilities are accessible.
For students who are deaf or hard of hearing, American Sign Language, Interpreting/Transliterating, Oral Interpreting, Cued Language Transliterating, and Real Time Captioning may be provided upon eligibility.
For qualified students, the Center for Disability & Access will assist in making books and course materials accessible. Possibilities include books in an audio format, electronic books, materials in Braille, screen and text recognition software, materials in CD or MP3 format, and enlarged text.
Students may be approved for a paid or volunteer note taker in classes, or may be authorized to audio record lectures.
Accessible parking locations can be found throughout campus to drivers with disabilities. Students parked in designated ADA stalls within a regulated lot are required to purchase a University permit and display a state-issued ADA license plate or placard. Contact Commuter Services for additional information.
To ensure equal access to its programs, courses, and facilities, students may be eligible for priority registration.
Service animals (as defined by the ADA) are welcome on campus and in student housing. Emotional support animals must be approved as an accommodation for campus housing and are not allowed in other areas of campus where pets are normally prohibited.
Regular scheduled / fixed route campus shuttles have lifts and are accessible and available for assisting students with mobility concerns around campus. Additionally, for approved students, a point-to-point accessible shuttle is available to schedule pick up and drop of dates and times.
On occasion, when a student’s specific disability would prevent them from successfully learning and completing the mathematics or foreign language general education requirements, the Center for Disability & Access may consider approving substitute courses for these requirements.
Services
CDA advisors are available to assist students and departments in understanding how disability may impact a student’s schedule and academic plan.
The Center for Disability & Access works with Facilities and Campus Planning and Construction to maintain accessible paths throughout the campus and to display signage which directs students to these paths.
We work directly with faculty and staff at the University of Utah to advocate for the equal and fair treatment of students with disabilities.
The Center for Disability & Access has dedicated accessible computer labs (Union 162 and the Marriot Library) and individual accessible computers in many of the computer labs around campus.
The Center for Disability & Access offers a peer mentoring program for eligible CDA students to assist new, returning, and continuing students with time management, stress management, academic skill building, and organizational skills.
Each year, the Center for Disability & Access offers a number of scholarships to University of Utah students who are registered and qualified with CDA. Applications for and information about these scholarships are available on the CDA website.
Services Not Offered
The following are services which are not offered by the Center for Disability & Access:
The law does not require the University of Utah to lower its academic standards or alter the essential elements of courses and programs to accommodate students with disabilities.
The ADA regulations do not require the University to screen or diagnose disabilities. It is the student’s responsibility to assume all costs associated with obtaining an adequate diagnosis and current documentation of a disability.
The University of Utah is not required to provide personal attendants, bathroom assistance, individually prescribed devices, readers for personal use or study, devices of a personal nature, equipment including tape recorders, CD/MP3 players, hearing aids, computers, and specialized software. It is a student’s responsibility to procure these services or equipment.
Since tutoring is considered a personal aid, the Center for Disability & Access does not offer this as a service. However, the University of Utah as a whole offers a number of low cost or free tutoring resources. Please work with your CDA advisor to take advantage of these resources.