Center for Accessibility and Disability Resources

Apply for Accommodations

The Accessibility Center is tasked to coordinate equitable experiences for students with documented disabilities. We are committed to the idea that every student experiences a level playing field while at UW Oshkosh, enabling them to fully engage with the educational environment through the interactive process. Our primary objective is to offer a range of resources and advocacy support that empowers students to excel.

new student user

Students seeking support and/or accommodation should follow the steps below to register and start the interactive process: 

  1. Register in Accommodate
  2. Schedule Intake Appointment
  3. Provide Documentation
start registration

registered students

Registered students can use Accommodate to:

  1. Renew Current Accommodations
  2. Submit Supplemental (additional) Accommodation Request
  3.  Disability Resources
  4. Report an Accessibility Concern
Login to accommodate

The Interactive Process for ADA Accommodations

The interactive process is the collaborative dialogue between a student seeking accommodations and UW Oshkosh and the department responsible for providing them. Below is a step-by-step process that should be followed to ensure the interactive process provides equitable support. 

Step 1: Seek out Support (Student) 

  • Student self-identifies as a person with a disability or recognizes the need for support. 
  • Student completes registration form via Accommodate with the Accessibility Center. 

Step 2: Schedule an Appointment (Student) 

Step 3: Provide Documentation (Student) 

Step 4: Complete Appointment (Student and Accessibility Center) 

  • Discuss the impact of the disability on academic activities and potential accommodations. 
  • Assess challenges or barriers anticipated and time-sensitive considerations. 

Step 5: Determine Eligibility (Accessibility Center) 

  • The Accessibility Center coordinator assesses the documentation and the discussion notes from student appointment. 
  • Determine if the student qualifies for accommodations based on legal and UW Oshkosh guidelines. 

Step 6: Develop an Accommodation Plan (Accessibility Center) 

  • If eligible, student will work with the coordinator to develop an individualized accommodation plan. 

Step 7: Notification of Faculty (Accessibility Center) 

  • The Accessibility Center notifies relevant faculty members about approved accommodations. 
  • Maintain student privacy by only sharing necessary information. 

Step 8: Faculty Meeting (Student and Faculty) 

  • Student and faculty member to discuss student accommodation plan. 
  • Student should address the intent of use for each accommodation and answer faculty questions. 
  • Plan for the unexpected by determining equitable alternatives for graded course work, including participation. 
  • Discuss the most effective way to ensure a student receives necessary course information. 
  • Set a schedule for initiating testing accommodations and deadlines for schedule changes. 

Step 9: Periodic Review (Student and Faculty) 

  • Maintain open communication between student and faculty. 
  • Schedule periodic check-ins with the discuss the effectiveness of accommodations. 
  • Adjust student Accommodation Plan as necessary. 
  • If changes or additional accommodations are needed, please contact the Accessibility Center. 
  • Supplemental Requests (Additional Accommodations) 
  • Login to Accommodate 
  • Select Accommodation 
  • Select Supplemental Request 
  • Add new Supplemental Request 
  • If you add a new class after submitting a term request, you will need to submit a new request for letters to be sent to your new faculty.  

Step 10: Renew Accommodations for the next Term (Student) 

  • Reflect on the equitability of the accommodations and 
  • Contact the Accessibility Center to discuss any changes for the following Term 
  • Students are responsible for renewing their accommodations each term in which they intend to use their accommodation plan. Accommodations are not retroactive so please submit your request at the beginning of each Term. 
  • Term Requests (Renewing Accommodations) 
  • Login to Accommodate 
  • Select Accommodation 
  • Select Term Request 
  • Select Add New 
  • Select Term 
  • Select submit all or select review to select the specific courses 
  • Once a term request is submitted, an Accommodation Plan will be sent to faculty to review via Accommodate. 

Documentation Guidelines

UW Oshkosh is a member of the Association of Higher Education & Disability (AHEAD). The Accessibility Center uses their expertise and guidance when it comes to supporting documentation for accommodations. AHEAD Documentation Guideline Guidance 

UW OSHKOSH DOCUMENATION GUIDELINES:  

  • Be recent, relevant and comprehensive, and contain test scores and interpretation if appropriate (e.g. learning disability reports, audiograms, ADHD, etc.) 
  • Demonstrate a substantial impact on one or more major life activities. 
  • Indicate whether the impact is current and stable or fluctuating (conditions that fluctuate over time may require more recent documentation and ongoing updates of documentation). 
  • Adequately verify the nature and extent of the disability in accordance with current professional standards and techniques of the practitioner. 
  • Clearly substantiate the need for the students’ requested accommodations. 
  • Be provided by a licensed clinical professional familiar with the history and functional limitations of the impairments.  The clinical professional should not be a member of the student’s family. 
  • Be submitted on official letterhead of the professional describing the disability. 
  • Be dated and signed and include the name, title and professional credentials of the evaluator and information about state licensing and/or certification. 
  • Students with multiple disabilities should identify all diagnosed disabilities.  By doing so, the coordinator is best equipped to make the most appropriate accommodation recommendations. 
  • If initial documentation is incomplete or does not adequately address the criteria to determine the extent of a disability or the need for accommodation, the University has the discretion to require additional documentation. Any cost incurred in obtaining documentation is the responsibility of the student. 

Forms and Documents

Accommodation Application Forms

Accommodation Criteria Forms and Documents

Academic Accommodation Forms

Appeal Process

Students who are denied an accommodation or modification may appeal the decision. If the accommodation is denied, the appeal should be reviewed by the Accessibility Coordinator upon receipt of additional documentation.
 
The student is responsible to provide all documentation to confirm the need for accommodation including:
  • A description of the disability along with formal diagnosis
  • A description of the evaluation/diagnostic process used to determine the disability
  • A description of the functional limitations specific to the individual student as identified through the evaluation/diagnostic process
  • An outline of recommended accommodations supported by the evaluation/diagnostic process

If the student is not satisfied with the second review, an appeal may be forwarded to the Accessibility Advisory Committee.  The Committee is a standing committee of the University consisting of faculty, academic staff and students.  The Committee makes recommendations on policy and procedure related to individuals with disabilities.  They will meet with the student and review the student’s request for reasonable accommodation. The Committee’s decision will be final.

University ADA Coordinator
 (920) 424-1166
 (920) 424-2021
 afaction@uwosh.edu

Center for Accessibility & Disability Resource

Dean of Students Office
Dempsey 125
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Phone: (920) 424-3100

 accessibilitycenter@uwosh.edu

 The Center for Accessibility & Disability Resources

(920) 424-1033
(920) 424-1051

University Police

Emergency: (920) 424-1212
Non-Emergency: (920) 424-1216