Center for Disability & Access - Student Handbook

The Center for Disability & Access is dedicated to students with disabilities by providing the opportunity for success and equal access at the University of Utah. We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations as outlined by Federal and State law. We also strive to create an inclusive, safe and respectful environment. By promoting awareness, knowledge and equity, we aspire to impact positive change within individuals and the campus community.

Access, Equity, Inclusion, Diversity, Respect, Knowledge, Independence, Self-Advocacy, and Leading Edge Technology

• Provide appropriate and reasonable accommodations to eligible students.
• Develop students as a whole by providing services and resources that encourage self-advocacy, independence, wellness, knowledge, and balance.
• Promote a safe, accessible and inclusive environment for students with disabilities through outreach, education, and increasing awareness.
• Engage in activities that further our knowledge and skills in the use of best practices in the areas of disability and higher education.
• Actively implement and utilize technology that improves our ability to assist students with disabilities.
• Enhance the diversity of the university by recruiting and retaining student with disabilities.
• Assess and evaluate our services to increase our effectiveness.

University of Utah students experiencing academic difficulties as a result of a disability should contact the Center for Disability & Access to request assistance.

The following is an overview of the process for admitted students to apply for accommodations at the University of Utah.

Contact your CDA advisor at any point in the process for clarification of the steps. This process may take some time to complete, so plan ahead and apply early!  Legally, accommodations are not retroactive.

In order to qualify for accommodations, the Center for Disability & Access requires documentation which substantiates the presence of a disability, indicates the impact on one or more major life activities, and demonstrates functional limitations of the condition. The Americans with Disability Act (ADA) allows for universities to set reasonable standards for documentation, and these standards may vary from school to school. The documentation required establishes eligibility for services and is used for determining reasonable accommodations.

Eligibility is determined based on the information given during your intake appointment, your application forms, historical information such as IEP and 504 plans, and the current documentation provided. The CDA case management team will review this information to determine both eligibility and appropriate accommodations.

At minimum, documentation should include the following components:

• Format - Documentation should be typed/printed on letterhead, dated, and signed with name, title, and professional credentials.
• Qualifications - Documentation should be completed by a licensed provider (e.g. physician, psychologist, psychiatrist, clinical social worker, therapist, audiologist, ophthalmologist or other relevantly trained professional who is licensed and qualified to make the diagnoses).
• Diagnosis - Documentation should include the conditions and diagnoses, how they were assessed, and include the most recent treatment dates.
• History and Prognosis - Provide a summary of the history, prognosis, and expected duration of the condition(s), and if applicable, include details about the episodic nature of the condition(s).
• Impact and Limitations - Focus on and provide details specific to the student about the current impact of the conditions, including the severity, frequency, and duration of symptoms. Documentation should also include information about the limitations caused by the student’s condition(s) and effect on academic functioning and major life activities. (ADA Major Life Activities).
• Suggested Accommodations - Documentation may include suggested accommodations and should provide a rationale as to why they would be needed.

Depending upon the specific condition or disability, additional information may be required.  Please review the CDA documentation guidelines for details.

DOCUMENTATION GUIDELINES: CENTER FOR DISABILITY AND ACCESS  

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. Occasionally tables or chairs placed in classrooms for CDA students are used at other times during the day for projectors or other projects. If equipment or furniture has been moved to a different location in the room, the student with a disability should work with the instructor to arrange the equipment for their use in the classroom.

Attendance in class is expected for students participating in the university experience. Faculty establish attendance policies for courses and should communication those policies to students who are responsible for adhering to class policies.

The Center for Disability & Access may encourage or authorize students to arrange a reduced course load or extended program of study to address the need for flexibility with attendance.

However, modification to a specific class attendance policy may be appropriate if the disability is chronic or cyclical in nature and impacts the student's attendance.  Instructors should contact CDA to assist in determining when and how often an adjustment to the class policy is reasonable.  The number of additional allowable absences will depend upon the impact of the student's condition, essential element of the course, and the interactive or participatory nature or classes. 

If a student’s attendance suffers significantly, CDA can assist them in discussing options with the instructor which might include requesting an incomplete or petitioning for a late withdrawal from the course.

Student may be approved for the use of an 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. (Note: Classroom assistants are not employed to act as tutors inside or outside the classroom setting.)

Classroom locations may be moved to ensure all programs and activities are accessible. In order to make the necessary adjustments to classrooms, we require reasonable prior notice (four weeks advanced notice is requested). Requests received later than four weeks will be considered if possible. Students are also encouraged to look at options including utilizing the campus shuttle system or enrolling in alternative sections of the course before requesting that a class be moved. Essential elements and the nature of the course will be considered before a request to move a class is deemed appropriate. Due to equipment, technology and pedagogical needs it may not be feasible or appropriate to move some class locations.

Exam accommodations vary depending upon the impact of a student’s disability and the essential elements of the course, 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, additional rest breaks, etc. 

Exam Accommodations Student Policies

Depending upon the impact of a student’s disability, an appropriate accommodation may be to allow for extended time to complete and turn in assignments, papers, or projects. The amount of extended time would be based upon an exacerbation of a student’s disability or if the assignment has a quick turnaround time. Typically, an extra two to three school days would be considered.

For eligible students who have applied and been accepted into the Residence Halls or University Student Apartments, the Center for Disability & Access may assist in ensuring that your housing location and facilities are accessible. There is often a waiting list for housing, so apply early. The Center for Disability & Access will not move a student with a disability to the front of the waiting list. Accommodations are made once a student’s housing application has been approved.

American Sign Language, Interpreting/Transliterating, Oral Interpreting, Cued Language Transliterating, and Real Time Captioning will be provided upon eligibility. In consultation with the student, a determination is made by CDA staff as to which service is most reasonable and appropriate for ensuring equal access for deaf or hard of hearing students pertaining to all course related activities (class sessions, meetings with faculty, or required attendance at out-of–class activities). Requests for semester long classes should be made as far in advance as possible, preferably three weeks prior to the beginning of the semester to ensure the availability of interpreters and captioning services. Services are also provided for University sponsored events and provided when services are requested by the individual needing the service in a reasonable time (two weeks advance notice is requested). (NOTE: For guests and students attending non-academic or campus events, please contact the department sponsoring the event to arrange services.)

For qualified students, the Center for Disability & Access will assist in making books and course materials accessible. The Center for Disability & Access will work with the student to determine the most effective and reasonable method for providing information in an alternative format. 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. Students who are approved for note taking services need to contact their CDA advisor at the start of each semester to obtain a note taking form which they provide to their instructors. Instructors assist CDA in recruiting note takers from peers in the class. The note taker is required to sign a contract agreement with CDA to provide paper or electronic copies of notes. Unless approved by your CDA advisor, attendance in class is required to be eligible to receive notes. Students are responsible for reporting in a timely manner any problems with the note taking process and reporting if information is missing from the notes.
Students may be authorized to audio record lectures through the use of digital recording devices or smart pen technology. If approved for this accommodation, student will be trained in the use of a Smart Pen and allowed to check-out one from the CDA office to use in courses for the semester. If used, this accommodation may replace the note taking accommodation listed above. (Faculty have the right to prohibit recording of classes and lectures unless approved as an accommodations by CDA.)

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. Please contact Commuter Services for additional information at (801) 581-6415 or online.

commuter services

Accessible parking stalls can be located using the University Campus Map by turning on the Accessible parking setting.

university of utah campus map

To ensure equal access to its programs, courses, and facilities, students may be eligible for priority registration. Eligibility for priority registration is reviewed each semester and approval is dependent upon the impact of a student's condition. It is essential that students utilize this service to facilitate classroom scheduling changes to accessible buildings.

The Center for Disability & Access may approve students with disabilities to enroll in a course load of less than full-time status (12 credit hours for undergraduate students and 9 credit hours for graduate students). In these cases, students will be afforded full-time status and may be eligible for benefits available to other full-time students at the University of Utah that are within the University’s purview. (There may be exceptions to this accommodation which are a result of laws and policies outside of the University's control, such as federal financial aid requirements.)

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. Please contact CDA to obtain the documentation guidelines for emotional support animals. All animals on campus must be under the control of their owner at all times. Animals may be excluded if they pose a direct threat to the health or safety of others. Refer to the Campus policy regarding animal control, at the links below.

Policy 3-231: Control of Animals on Campus

FAQ - Service & Emotional Support Animals (OEO)

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. 

commuter services

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. This specific accommodation is only granted when based upon disability documentation, history, and a student’s previous attempts at completing the courses with accommodations. Substitutions are not applicable or available for requirements or pre-requisites essential to a student's major or field of study. (Please contact CDA for the specific Math and Language substitution policies.)

The Academic Advising Center  and specific departmental advisors are the primary contact for academic advising at the University of Utah. However, CDA advisors are available to assist students and departments in understanding how disability may impact a student’s schedule and academic plan.

Academic advising center

With the many and ongoing construction projects around campus, accessible paths are constantly changing. 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. If you have any concerns about a path on campus, please contact your CDA advisor.

A central role of the Center for Disability & Access is to 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. Computers in these labs have accessible software such as JAWS, Kurzweil, ZoomText, and Dragon Naturally Speaking. The dedicated labs also have high speed scanners, flatbed scanners, a braille typewriter, and CCTV.

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. 

scholarships: Center for disability and access

The University of Utah makes a reasonable attempt to address priority snow removal in areas identified by the Center for Disability & Access and the University Grounds Department. The two departments work to prioritize the clearing of paths of travel for students with disabilities. The University's general policy identifies the Medical Complex as critical for first response. After the Medical Complex, lower campus priority snow removal is considered. University Risk Management has determined a reasonable schedule of snow removal prior to 3:00 p.m. weekdays. Please be advised that during winter freezing conditions in which the daytime temperature is below 32 degrees Fahrenheit, every effort is made to reduce icing on paths of travel. If you notice an area of concern, please contact your CDA advisor so that we can help.

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 intent of the law and purpose of academic accommodations is to provide an equal opportunity for 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.