SDS Student Appeal and Grievance Process
UMBC Office of Equity & Civil Rights (ECR)
UMBC Campus Map showing Accessible Routes
UMBC Accessible Parking Information
Maryland.gov Transition from High School to College
Academic Resources
UMBC Academic Success Center (tutoring, placement testing, academic resources)
Do-IT Technology Resources for students
Student Guide to Online Learning
Engaging Beyond the Online Classroom
Apps that Can Help You Succeed
Assistive Technology at AOK Library
UMBC Resources
Retriever Integrated Health (includes University Health Services, Office of Health Promotion, and the Counseling Center)
Retriever Essentials Free Non-Perishable Food Pantry
Student Conduct and Community Standards
Psychology Training Clinic (psychotherapy services)
Service Animals
Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a service animal means any dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for an individual with a disability. Other species of animals, whether wild or domestic, trained or untrained, are not service animals for the purposes of this definition. The work or tasks performed by a service animal must be directly related to the individual’s disability. Performing “work or tasks” means that the dog is trained to take a specific action when needed to assist the person with a disability. Examples of such work tasks may include guiding an individual who is blind, alerting individuals who are Deaf, pulling a wheelchair, or alerting and protecting an individual experiencing a seizure. (28 C.F.R. §§ 35.104; 36.104) Please note: A service animal is NOT a pet or emotional support/comfort/assistance (ESA) animal.
UMBC is committed to complying with federal, state, and local laws regarding individuals with disabilities. In that regard, UMBC supports students with disabilities who require the assistance of a service animal. Although a student with a trained service dog is not required to register with the Office of Student Disability Services (SDS), it is recommended that students with disabilities register in the event assistance is needed navigating campus or if additional accommodations are needed to fully participate in all campus activities. Students residing in Residential Life with a service dog, however, will need to complete Residential Life’s animal agreement forms and meet with a Residential Life staff person well in advance of the move-in date to coordinate their housing. Information on Residential Life housing accommodations and access is linked here.
For additional information regarding service animals, please click the web links below to find the ADA regulations.
- Frequently Asked Questions about Service Animals and the ADA
- Service Animal & Emotional Support Animal ADA guide
- ESA/Assistance Animal: Fair Housing Act Information January 2020 from US Dept of Housing & Urban Development
Other Disability and Accessibility Resources
Stairway to STEM: Resources for Autistic Students Going to College
National Center for College Students with Disabilities Online Resource
LD Connect: built by and for students with learning and attention disabilities
Post-secondary Education Resources for Students on the Autism Spectrum
College Resources for Students with Disabilities
Fire Safety for Students with Disabilities
Association on Higher Education and Disability (AHEAD)
American Association of People with Disabilities
Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA)
National Association of the Deaf
National Organization on Disability
Career Opportunities for Students with Disabilities (COSD)
Job Assistance Guide for People with Disabilities
Financial Aid Resources
UMBC Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships