Accommodations
Procedures for Requesting Accommodations
Accommodations may vary according to the specific requirements of a
course or activity; therefore, an accommodation request must be made
by the student prior to each new semester. Students are encouraged
to request accommodations as soon as they know their class schedule
for the upcoming term. Accommodations may take several weeks to implement.
1. Students and prospective students with physical, mental or learning
disabilities should contact the Coordinator
of Student Services at their local University College Center to
discuss their academic needs, and the accommodation process.
2. Each student must provide current documentation of their disability
and accommodation needs from a qualified medical or licensed professional
evaluator if the disability is not readily apparent. This documentation
should describe the nature, longevity, and severity of symptoms, as
well as the impact which the disability has on the learning process.
The documentation will be sent to the office which handles services
for students with disabilities on the University of Maine System campus
in whose degree program you are enrolled. All documentation is considered
confidential.
3. Working with the Coordinator of Student Services, the student should
complete a Student Accommodation Request form. This request will be
sent to the office which handles services for students with disabilities
at each campus offering the course(s) you will be taking. Academic
accommodations are primarily the responsibility of the campus from which
a course originates.
4. On the basis of the documentation, appropriate accommodations
are determined by the campus-based disability services staff, in consultation
with the student’s health care provider and faculty if needed.
5. When accommodations are deemed appropriate for a specific course
or activity, an Accommodation Authorization form will be completed by
the campus-based disability services staff. A copy of the form is sent
to the student, the student’s professor(s), other University personnel
who need to be involved in implementation, and the local Coordinator
of Student Services.
6. After approval by the campus-based disability services staff, some
types of accommodations, such as modifications for taking exams, require
ongoing discussion between student and professor to arrange specific
details. Plan ahead, and be sure everyone involved knows the plan.
7. If a student does not agree with the accommodations deemed appropriate
by the campus-based disability services staff, the student may appeal
to the Equal Opportunity Office.
8. Any problems with a student’s accommodations which occur during
the semester should be discussed with the local Coordinator of Student
Services.