Student Accessibility Services

How do students set up accommodations for classes? 
Students must self-identify to Student Accessibility Services and request accommodations via our online Accommodate platform. The Accommodate platform can be accessed via the MyCampus portal and is located directly on the webpage launch pad. Students will need to log into Accommodate using their Single Sign On (SSO) credentials. Once logged in to the platform, students will need to fill out a Student Accommodation Request Form and submit it. They also have the opportunity to upload documentation directly to the form. After the Student Accommodation Request Form is submitted, staff in SAS will review the request and notify the student via their UMaine email address to set up an appointment. Requests for appointments are made directly within the Accommodate platform by logging in and clicking on the “Appointments” sub tab. During the meeting with staff, the student will discuss their symptoms and requested accommodations, and then staff will provide them with next steps. Once accommodations are set up, students will need to log in to Accommodate and request a semester accommodation letter. An accommodation letter is generated in the Accommodate platform and students will need to select which classes and faculty should receive notification of accommodations. Faculty will receive notifications from the Accommodate platform about the student’s accommodations. The student will need to complete a semester request prior to each semester moving forward in order for accommodation letters to be sent to their professors each semester, however, they will not need to complete the entire process again.

If a student is receiving accommodations at another college or university, will they automatically get the same accommodations at UMaine?
Each university may have different documentation guidelines and rules about what constitutes a reasonable accommodation. Upon transfer to UMaine, information from a previous school is helpful but it is still necessary for an SAS professional to documentation and determine what is reasonable at our institution.

Will there be any record on a student’s transcript if they use accommodations through SAS?
No, there are no flags or identifying markers on a student’s academic record if they utilize disability accommodations. Further, documentation and disability services records are maintained separately from other academic records.

What kind of documentation needs to be provided to SAS?
Documentation provided can vary based on the type of disability. Guidelines can be found on our Documentation Guidelines page. If you have additional questions about documentation, please contact our office.

When and where should a student send disability documentation?
Documentation should be submitted directly to the Accommodate platform. It is extremely helpful if documentation can be sent to SAS prior to the first appointment with an SAS professional. If students have difficulty uploading documentation to the Accommodate platform, it can be faxed, emailed, or mailed to the office.

What types of accommodations are generally offered?
SAS provides testing accommodations including extra time, reduced distraction locations, readers, and scribes. Additional accommodations include note taking assistance, alternate format texts, and auxiliary aids.

Will professors and academic advisors automatically be informed about a student’s disability and accommodation needs? 
Once accommodations have been approved, the Accommodate platform generates an accommodation letter, and the student can decide which classes and professors will receive these letters. A student’s diagnosis will not be automatically shared with professors or staff unless it is on a need to know basis or due to an emergency. SAS encourages each student to share disability information with professors and advisors if they are comfortable.

Are there waivers or course substitutions for required courses?
Some students wish to request a waiver or substitution because they think that their documented disability prevents them from completing a course. This is most typically the case for a foreign language or math requirement. In order to request a substitution or waiver, the student must contact the Associate Dean of the student’s School or College. In the case of students with learning disabilities, their diagnosis and testing must clearly document the need for substitutions. In some instances, the Director of SAS will write a letter of recommendation supporting the student’s request. Each College makes individual, case by case decisions regarding these requests.

Are single rooms available in the dormitory for students with disabilities?
Any student may request a single room through Housing Services. If a student believes that it is necessary for them to live in a single room due to a documented disability, they can request a housing accommodation through the Accommodate platform. The student must submit documentation of a disability which clearly reflects the need for a single room or submit the Academic and Housing Documentation Provider Form. Documentation should be directly uploaded to the Accommodate platform. Issues related to distraction free study space for students with learning disabilities and attention deficit disorder are often addressed using other modifications.