accommodation policy for students with disabilities
It is the policy and practice of The University of Maine to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, and the state and local requirements regarding students with disabilities. Under these laws, no qualified individual with a disability shall be denied access to or participation in services, programs, and activities of The University of Maine.
In compliance with federal and state regulations, reasonable accommodations are provided to qualified students with disabilities. A qualified individual is a person who, with or without reasonable accommodations, can perform the essential functions of a program or course requirements. The essential requirements of an academic course or program need not be modified to accommodate an individual with a disability.
The University has designated Student Accessibility Services located at the CAVE at the UCU, as the office that coordinates services for students with disabilities, as part of the continuing effort to make the campus accessible.
Final responsibility for selection of the most appropriate accommodation rests with the University and is determined on a case-by-case basis.
Students are encouraged to meet with a Student Accessibility Services professional to develop a plan for their academic accommodations. A request for accommodation is deemed reasonable if it:
- Is based on documented individual needs; in all cases of non—apparent disability;
- Allows the most integrated experience possible
And - Does not compromise essential requirements of a course or program;
- Does not pose a threat to personal or public safety;
- Does not impose undue financial or administrative burden;
- Is not of a personal nature.
emotional support animals
An Emotional Support Animal (ESA) is an animal that provides therapeutic emotional support, well-being, or companionship which alleviates or mitigates symptoms of a student’s disability. An ESA is recommended in or part of a student’s treatment plan, or it is known to mitigate the symptoms of a disability as confirmed by a licensed healthcare provider. An ESA is not a service dog or a pet. An ESA can be any common household animal as defined by the HUD guidelines (2020) (External Site). The animal must demonstrate a good temperament and reliable, predictable behavior. Generally, the presence of only one ESA will be approved for a student in order to fulfill the intent of the Fair Housing Act requirements in providing support to the student with a mental health disability. This policy applies solely to the specific requirements applicable to an individual’s use of an ESA in University housing. With the exception of Service Animals, UMS (University of Maine System) housing policies generally prohibit animals of any type in campus housing; however, an individual with a mental health disability may request an ESA through the UMS Student Accessibility/Disability Office on their campus as a reasonable accommodation.
No ESA may be kept in University housing at any time prior to the individual receiving approval as a reasonable accommodation pursuant to this policy. A request must be initiated by the student registering for disability accommodations with Student Accessibility Services.
equal opportunity complaint procedures
The University of Maine is committed to maintaining a respectful, fair campus environment, free from discrimination, including discriminatory harassment. The goal of the university is to prevent discrimination from occurring and to provide an effective means of raising and promptly resolving complaints.
Toward that end, the university offers internal complaint procedures to resolve concerns of discrimination or harassment on account of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, including transgender status or gender expression, national origin or citizenship status, age, disability, genetic information, or veteran status. These issues may be raised by faculty, staff, students, or members of the community.