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.
Requesting Additional Accommodations
Accommodations are approved initially by DRS staff in the Access Planning Meeting based on the needs and access barriers the student is encountering at that time. However, DRS recognizes that needs and barriers can change and/or evolve as a student progresses through an academic program. If a student encounters new barriers, emergent needs, or seeks to modify a current accommodation, they can request additional accommodations through myDRS by completing the “Additional Accommodation Request Form” and submitting it online. A DRS Coordinator will follow up to reengage the interactive process and resolve the additional access need request.
To request a new accommodation or a revision to your current accommodations, follow the instructions below:
1. Go to our website, disability.uw.edu
2. Click on the YELLOW box that says myDRS
3. Log in with your UW NetID and password
4. Click on “Additional Accommodation Request Form” on left side under ‘Home’
5. Submit your request there.
Your Access Coordinator will review the request within 48 (business) hours and reach out to you if they need any more information.
Please don’t hesitate to let us know if you have any questions or concerns.
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)
