Getting Started with Disability and Accessibility Services
UM-Dearborn provides a wide range of services to students with qualifying disabilities to allow them equitable access to learning environments.
Students are responsible for their ultimate success in academic and personal programs; however, Disability and Accessibility Services (DAS) will provide the necessary services to equitable access.
Services are both highly individualized and based on need; they may include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Advocacy and referral on campus
- Orientation to campus resources
- Course materials in alternative formats
- Special testing arrangements
- Access to adaptive equipment and technology
- DAS Support Coaching
To schedule an appointment with our office please log on to my.umdearborn.edu and use this scheduling guide if needed.
- Please note: If you are a new student and cannot see our office in your student portal, you will need to email us at [email protected] or call our office to arrange an intake appointment.
At the appointment you will talk to a Disability and Accessibility Services Coordinator who can discuss how we may be able to best assist you and your needs. Students must meet with a Disability and Accessibility Services Coordinator every semester they need accommodations. During this time your scheduled appointment will be held remotely via a teleconference private meeting or in person depending on your needs.
Types of Appointments
If it is your first time registering with our office.
To schedule an intake appointment with our office go to my.umdearborn.edu and choose the intake option.
- Remember to bring your disability documentation with you for your intake appointment; for remote appointments the DAS Coordinator will explain how to send the documentation. You will discuss your diagnosis and any documentation you have during this meeting.
- Please note to access a Virtual appointment, you can login into your student portal. Then click the "Join Web Meeting" button at your scheduled time.
- Additionally, if you are a new student and cannot see our office in your student portal, you will need to email us at [email protected] or call our office to arrange an intake appointment.
If you are a returning student this is required every semester you take classes.
To schedule a re-enrollment appointment with our office please go to my.umdearborn.edu and choose re-enrollment appointment.
- Please note to access a Virtual appointment, you can login into your student portal. Then click the "Join Web Meeting" button at your scheduled time.
If you would like to meet with the Disability and Accessibility Services Coordinator for any other reason and are already registered for the semester please go to my.umdearborn.edu and choose follow up appointment.
- Please note to access a Virtual appointment, you can login into your student portal. Then click the "Join Web Meeting" button at your scheduled time.
The DAS Support Coach can help with a range of challenges and topics related to the student’s academic and social experiences as a college student. Registered DAS students can schedule appointments with the DAS Support Coach, Hillary Degner, by using their student portal and following these student support coaching directions.
To schedule an appointment with our office please go to my.umdearborn.edu .
You can use these scheduling directions for assistance. If you want to see first available appointments click on the Anyone on this Team option and then select the type of appointment you want to schedule to view first available options. For any DAS support coaching appointments use these support coaching directions.
Students wishing to receive services must register with the DAS office. To set up at appointment with one of our DAS Coordinators, Judith Walker or Hillary Degner, please go to my.umdearborn.edu and use these scheduling directions. If this is your first time registering with Disability and Accessibility Services, please request an Intake appointment. If you are a returning student looking to re-enroll in Disability and Accessibility Services please request a re-enrollment appointment. If you are already registered with Disability and Accessibility Services and would like to meet to discuss other concerns, questions, etc, please request a follow up appointment.
Some of the academic adjustments and accommodations that may be provided are:
- early registration
- extended time on tests
- tutorial referrals
- note-takers
- scanning of textbooks
- reader/scribe for tests
- Interpreters for the deaf
Please note that students are only eligible to receive accommodations after they register with the DAS office. The DAS Coordinator with consultation with their team and information gained in their meeting with the student, will then determine "reasonable accommodations" and will assist in providing for them at that time.
For more information or to meet with the Disability and Accessibility Staff please email [email protected].
If you are already registered and looking to arrange test proctoring, check out our Test Proctoring webpage for directions on how to submit your request at LEAST one week (7 calendar days) in advance of your scheduled test.
REMEMBER, you must register with Disability and Accessibility Services EACH semester you are in need of accommodations by meeting with the DAS Coordinator as soon as you have your course schedule.
At the beginning of each term Faculty will be emailed a letter identifying students in each of their courses, that are registered with Disability and Accessibility Services. The letter will include the student's academic accommodations to be granted for that semester. Students may register with Disability and Accessibility Services after they select their term schedule, faculty will receive a letter for any of these students once they met with a Disability and Accessibility Services Coordinator each term.
For additional information please contact the our DAS Coordinators, Judith Walker or Hillary Degner, at [email protected] .
Students who disagree with the accommodations provided by a Disability and Accessibility Services Coordinator have the right to appeal these decisions. The first layer of appeal is to the Director of Disability and Accessibility Services. The student may request a meeting with the Director who will review the accommodations, medical documentation and intake file of the student and provide the student with their recommendations. If the student is still not satisfied with the accommodations provided, they may appeal to the Disability Accommodations Appeal Committee that consists of the Dean of Students, a representative from UM-Dearborn’s Disability Services, a representative from UM Ann Arbors Disability Services, a predetermined faculty member, and a pre-determined student. The representatives of this committee make a commitment to participate in this committee for a year at a time. Students will be asked to complete the accommodation appeal request form for the committee to review. For more questions regarding this appeal process please contact Disability Services.
The University of Michigan Dearborn makes every reasonable effort to accommodate individuals with disabilities as addressed by the Americans with Disabilities Act. In keeping with this commitment, Personal Care Attendants (PCAs) may be necessary to address the personal needs of a student with a disability so they can participate in the University’s activities, services, and programs. In order for the student who requires PCA services to have the same independent experience as all other college students, it is in the student's best interest to hire an impartial PCA who is not a family member or close friend. An otherwise qualified student who requires personal attendant services must make arrangements to provide for their own personal attendant service. The College does not assume coordination or financial responsibilities for personal attendant services.
It is the student’s responsibility to:
- Submit appropriate documentation to Disability and Accessibility Services that supports the necessity of having a PCA.
- Secure a PCA prior to attending any college-related activity i.e. placement testing enrollment and class attendance. (University of Michigan Dearborn will not be responsible for providing a PCA on an interim basis).
- Ensure that each PCA registers with Disability and Accessibility Services and signs the Personal Care Attendant Agreement each academic year.
- Ensure that if personnel changes occur during the semester, the student and the new PCA registers with Disability and Accessibility Services and sign a new PCA Agreement Form.
- Direct the activities of the personal care attendant while at the University of Michigan Dearborn.
- Have a back-up plan or alternative plan of action should the regular PCA not be available to work with them on a particular day or in a particular class. This is not considered an excused absence.
- Follow the University's policies and abide by the Student Handbook.
- Pay for all PCA services, including but not limited to housing and meal plans if living on campus.
A PCA is expected to:
- Follow all applicable University policies, rules, regulations, and procedures.
- Assist the student before and after class but wait outside the classroom (unless deemed appropriate by documentation and approved by the Disability and Accessibility Services Office).
- Allow the student to take responsibility for his/her own progress or behavior.
- Refrain from contact with or asking questions of faculty, staff, or others on behalf of the student.
- Refrain from intervening in conversations between the student and faculty, staff or other students.
- Refrain from discussing any confidential information about the student with faculty, staff, or students.
- Follow the University's PCA Policy.
If a PCA fails to abide by the above policies and procedures, the Disability and Accessibility Services Coordinator and/or Director, may make a determination that the PCA will not be allowed to accompany the student to the classroom and/or other University sites.
To find the answers to some of the commonly asked questions watch this student FAQ video. If you still have questions do not hesitate to contact us at [email protected] or at 313-593-5310.
Check out this Types of Disabilities document to view some disability types we see on campus. Note: Not all disabilities are listed. Create an intake appointment to discuss your unique case.