welcome to student accessibility services

Student Accessibility Services (SAS) provides accommodations to students with disabilities who are enrolled in the University of Maine and the University of Maine at Machias. SAS and the campus communities are committed to accommodating students with disabilities and helping them to achieve academic success. SAS provides students with reasonable accommodations and services to ensure equal access to education as intended by Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and the ADA Amendments Act of 2008. SAS provides accommodations for the following types of diagnoses.

Examples of Disabilities

  • Reading, writing, math or specific learning disabilities
  • Chronic health conditions: Migraines, POTS, IBS, Crohn’s and more
  • ADD/ADHD
  • Physical and mobility disabilities
  • Hearing and vision disabilities
  • Mental health diagnoses (depression, anxiety, PTSD, bipolar, and more)
  • Autism spectrum disorder
  • Acquired brain injuries
  • Temporary disabilities – disabilities existing only for a short period of time (6 months or less) as a result of injuries, surgery or short-term medical conditions

What accommodations are available?

Examples of accommodations offered:

  • Extended test time
  • Separate test location
  • Assistive technology
  • Note-takers
  • Test reader
  • Test scribe and/or use of computer
  • Preferred seating
  • Alternate format texts and enlarged font exams
  • Single rooms, emotional support animals and meal plan exemptions
  • Other accommodations

Information on accommodate tool

Student Accessibility Services uses an online platform, named Accommodate, to manage accommodation requests. It is accessible to students and faculty through UMaine’s MyCampus Portal with a single sign-on (SSO).

This system allows students to:

  • Maintain 24-hour access to their approved accommodations
  • Request supplemental accommodations that may be needed
  • Complete a semester request every semester to communicate the continuation of accommodations
  • View, save and print an accommodation letter to provide to professors
  • View documentation and/or important releases signed
  • Access helpful resources to assist with academic success
  • View equipment signed out as well as when it is due for return
  • For those students who receive note-taking services, online access to notes

Requesting Accommodations

Disability is a valued diversity at the University of Maine and University of Maine at Machias. SAS collaborates with students and the campus communities to discuss reasonable accommodations which creates a more equitable, inclusive and diverse learning environment. With this view in mind, students are encouraged to complete the following steps to request reasonable accommodations which includes completing an information form and sending documentation to our office. We recognize that there are some instances in which documentation may vary in a variety of ways. If you are concerned that you cannot provide documentation to our office prior to your initial meeting, please reach out to our office staff to discuss your concerns. 

how to Request Accommodations

Student Accessibility Services (SAS) uses a web-based software system called Accommodate to manage student disability-related accommodation requests, including those for academic, housing and emotional support animals. 

If you are a student with a disability and anticipate that you may need academic, housing or other accommodations, please read the following steps to connect with Student Accessibility Services:

Step 1) Fill out the Student Accommodation Request form at this  Accommodate link. You can upload documentation in the form and submit it. A staff member will review your request and send you follow up instructions. 

Step 2) Login to the Accommodate platform, located on the University’s MyCampus Portal/Launch Pad. Students will need to sign in with their university Single Sign On (SSO) and request an appointment. Appointments can be held in-person or via Zoom. Students will receive a confirmation email and will be asked to log into Accommodate to view the appointment details. 

Step 3)    Meet with a staff member to discuss your accommodation request. During the appointment, our staff will talk with you about your symptoms, identify reasonable accommodations and give you detailed information about next steps.

Need help using Accommodate? Call Student Accessibility Services at 207.581.2319 or email um.sas@maine.edu for more assistance.