Disability Resources for Students

Using Approved Accommodations

Once a student has been approved for accommodations by their DRS Coordinator, they will receive a Student Eligibility Letter via our myDRS system along with necessary next steps. Students then use the myDRS system to select which approved accommodations they want to activate in a course, each quarter. Through myDRS a Faculty Notification Letter is delivered to course faculty and relevant academic staff. Quarterly course activations need to be done in a timely manner for accommodations can not be submitted retroactively.

Once faculty have been notified, students need to meet with them to discuss the details of how each accommodation will/can work in course. In some circumstances, requested accommodations may not be reasonable in specific courses. If this arises, Faculty will need to engage with DRS to determine what is reasonable. In cases where, based on the nature of the course, a requested accommodation is not reasonable DRS may explore alternatives if an access barrier is still present.

Communicating with your Access Coordinator in myDRS

Many accommodation questions and concerns can be addressed via the DRS AC Connect form in myDRS. This is often the most timely way to get your issues resolved. If a meeting is necessary, your Access Coordinator (AC) will reach out to you via email and let you know.

These are some common accommodation-related reasons you may want to connect with your Access Coordinator:

  • Expired Accommodation Issue
  • Current Accommodation Issue
  • Needing new accommodation(s)
  • Uploading new documentation for review
  • Request committee review of unapproved accommodation(s) – Joint Review (JR)
  • General Question(s) / Other

These are directions on how to log into myDRS and use the AC Connect form:

  • Log into myDRS with your UW credentials
  • Click on ‘AC Connect’ on left side under ‘ACCOMMODATIONS’
    • Note: You are not required to upload documentation to use this form, but you may upload any new documents you’d like us to review.
  • Click ‘START NEW APPLICATION’
  • Select the ‘Start Term’ for the requested accommodations to begin.
  • Answer the questions to help your Access Coordinator better understand what your updated needs are.
  • Click ‘SUBMIT REQUEST’
  • OPTIONAL: If you have new documentation to provide that speaks to your needs, you will need to upload it on the next screen.
  • Monitor your UW email for communication from your Access Coordinator. They will review the request and reach out to you if they need any more information.

In the event that your accommodation request is not approved and you are in disagreement with the decision, you may seek reevaluation through the Student Reconsideration Process.

Requests of Significant Course/Program Modifications

Occasionally, DRS receives an accommodation request that may result in a fundamental alteration to the nature of a course or operation of the institution, program, course, service, or activity. However, each request is evaluated in alignment with the UW Student Accommodation policy. Due to the case-by-case nature of the accommodation request process any determination of what is reasonable or not will include, but not be limited to: fact-specific information about participation and evaluation requirements, individualized analysis of the disabled student’s circumstances, and a review of effective alternatives that would meet the program’s standards.

Due to the highly individualized circumstances for each case DRS must consult with relevant academic personnel in the evaluation of: each accommodation request, understanding the impact to course outcomes and/or program requirements, and assessment into the availability of alternatives. Mere speculation about reasonableness/unreasonableness falls short of this requirement.

*All accommodation requests are evaluated by DRS for students with disabilities or health conditions only.

Accommodations Not Provided in Higher Education

Disability Resources for Students works to ensure access for students with disabilities by designing and implementing accommodations. However, there are some items that are not accommodations in higher education; this includes, but is not limited to:

  • Individualized instruction
  • Tutoring
  • Personal care attendant provided by institution
  • Provision of Personal Aids and Assistive Devices (i.e. wheelchairs, hearing aids, etc.)
  • Transportation to/from campus

(Updated 8/2021)