Who Does Student Disability Services Serve?
Reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities are provided for all UMBC students “qualified” under the Americans with Disabilities Act, 1990, as amended, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.
A person with a disability is defined as any individual who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more of the major life activities of such individual: any individual who has a record of such impairment and any individual who is regarded as having such an impairment. (ADA, 1990).
How do I request accommodations?
Please see our “Getting Started” tab on the Home page.
Why does Student Disability Services need supporting documentation of the disability?
Students who are requesting services from Student Disability Services (SDS) at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County are required to submit documentation under the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments (ADAAA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Individuals with disabilities are protected from discrimination and are entitled to reasonable accommodations and the right to equal access to the university’s programs and services.
Student Disability Services acknowledges that once a person is diagnosed as having a disability, the disability is typically viewed as life-long. While the disability will continue, the severity of the condition and/or how it is impacted in different settings may change over time. Therefore, the purpose of requesting documentation is:
- To consider each student individually and to understand if and how the student is impacted by their disability in a higher education living and learning environment in order to make an informed decision about the need for accommodations and services.
Accommodation decisions cannot be made until students submit an online Initial Service Request Form, along with medical documentation to support the diagnosis and an SDS staff person has conducted an intake to discuss the limitations, challenges or barriers to access. Please see the information on submitting and initial request for services through Accommodate page of our website for more detailed instructions.
What is acceptable documentation of a disability?
SDS reviews documentation on a case-by-case basis. However, acceptable documentation should be current and reflect the following:
- The credentials of the evaluator
- A specific diagnosis
- The diagnostic methodology used
- The current functional impact on the individual
- The expected progression or stability of the disability
- Current and past accommodations, services, and/or medications
- Recommendations for academic or housing accommodations and services
Does UMBC provide testing for learning disabilities?
UMBC does not conduct or pay for testing for learning disabilities, attention deficit disorders, or other disability diagnosis. However, we can provide you with a resource list of local educational testing organizations and resources.
How does SDS receive my class schedule every semester and notify my instructors of my approved accommodations?
Each semester, after completing their final registration for classes, students must complete an SDS Semester Request online in Accommodate. Once the request is received, accommodation letters will be emailed to each instructor one to two weeks prior to the first day of class or within 2 days of receipt if it is after classes have begun. It is recommended that students reach out to their instructors 1:1 to discuss their accommodation needs, particularly when using accommodated testing.