Policies: Accommodations and Services

UW-Eau Claire, through the Office of Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD), verifies academic services and accommodations for all students who provide appropriate documentation of the existence of a disability. In this way, we comply with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and UW System policy.  SSD is the official repository for student disability documentation.

Non-student attendees of campus events are asked to contact the sponsoring organization or department if accommodations are needed.

Student Responsibilities

It is important to remember that it is the student's responsibility to initiate the request and provision of accommodations needed for a disability.

The student must:

• Provide documentation that states the existence of a disability and rationale for reasonable and appropriate services.
• Make an appointment with the Academic Coordinator or Director, in the Office of Services for Students with Disabilities.
• Be prepared to discuss the accommodations they feel are necessary and appropriate.
• Follow all appropriate policies and procedures when requesting services and/or accommodations.
• Make necessary contact with instructors as is deemed necessary for the provision of specific accommodations.
• Be aware of and follow the established Grievance Policy for Students with Disabilities when necessary.

Available Accommodations and Services

Some of the accommodations students have used in the past and the procedures for accessing these accommodations include:

• Assistive Technology
• Tutoring - to provide individual or group tutoring in coursework, reading/study strategies, and composition. (This tutoring is done by trained, university-employed student tutors.)
• Screen Readers - for test taking, short readings and course handouts.
• Voice to Text software - to write/type from oral dictation for essays and taking exams.
• Note taking software- to provide notes for class lectures and discussions.
• Course Materials in Alternative Formats - to provide access to textbooks and course related print materials.
• Test Accommodations - including extended time and a room with minimal distraction.
• Interpreter and Captioning Services - for students with hearing loss.
• Service Animals - University Policy
• Physical Accessibility - Disability services staff can provide tours for students with visual impairments, mobility or orthopedic disabilities, and health conditions who may be in need of physical assistance in locating classroom buildings, specific classrooms, height-adjustable desks, restrooms, elevators, accessible entrances or any other facilities that the student may need to use. This can be provided before classes begin to help ease the transition into student life at UW-Eau Claire.
• Support and assistance to students for their self-advocacy in requesting accommodations.
• Other Individual Accommodations - that may be determined to be necessary and reasonable.