Disability Resources for Students

Services Request Timeline

In order to ensure sufficient time to make provisions for appropriate accommodations and auxiliary aid(s), students must request to activate accommodations in a timely manner. Below is a list of services and appropriate timelines for most circumstances. If a request is submitted after the relevant deadline, DRS will make every reasonable effort to activate but completed timeline may be adjusted based on submission date. Accommodations can be approved and activated throughout the quarter, but are not retroactive. Untimely requests may result in delay, substitutions, or the inability to fulfill the request(s).

Type of Service Time Required
Accessible Instructional Materials Requests for non-STEM text-to-speech conversion and image file conversion (from photocopies/scans) are due at least 4 weeks prior to the 1st day of class.

Requests for all other accessible instructional materials are due at least 5 weeks prior to the 1st day of class.

Classroom Services:  Classroom Relocation, Furniture Requests (tables, chairs, podiums), Lab Assistants, Readers, Scribes Requests for classroom services are due at least 4 weeks prior to the 1st day of class.
Communication Access:   Real Time Captioning, ASL Interpreter, Video Captioning Requests for communication access services are made through myDRS. Recurring classroom and multi-day event requests are due at least 5 weeks in advance. Requests for one-time events and meetings are due at least 10 days in advance.
Clinicals, Clerkships, Practicums, Externships, Internships, etc.  Accommodations relevant for non-classroom activities should be discussed as soon as possible with your DRS Coordinator. The process to evaluate, design and implement accommodations in these settings need to be done well in advance of the start of the fieldwork and preferably before locations are assigned, since accommodations at these sites can involve a multi-department effort.
Disability-Related Absences Agreement Complete a Disability-Related Absences Agreement for each class, with your professor, before the end of the 2nd week of the classes.
Exam Accommodations  Review the Alternative Testing Agreement submitted by your professor in your myDRS profile. Exams can not be schedule until this agreement is in place.  Exam request deadlines:

  • Midterms & quizzes: 5 business days
  • Finals: 10 business days

Review steps and responsibilities in more detail on the DRS Student Testing Center webpage.

Foreign Language Requirement Substitution Foreign language substitutions should be requested as soon as possible for multiple departments work together on process. There must be sufficient time to process the request. Further documentation may be required and coordination must occur with the departments and the student’s advisor. This can take up to three quarters to be finalized depending on the complication of each individual student case.
Hardship Withdrawal Petition; Tuition Forfeiture Petition Hardship withdrawal petitions are due within 1 academic year of the quarter being appealed. Other deadlines regarding tuition, etc. may apply. Please visit the UW Registrar Hardship Withdrawal page for more information.
Housing Accommodations Requests for housing accommodations are due at least 3 months prior to the anticipated move-in date. Please visit the DRS Housing webpage for more information.
Notetaking Services  Requests for notetaking services are due at least 2 weeks prior to the 1st day of class.
Reduced Credit Load – Financial Aid Priority Appeal Requests for reduced credit loads are due at least 4 weeks prior to the 1st day of class.
Study Abroad Requests for accommodations on study abroad trips are due in writing at least 8 weeks prior to the departure date.

(Updated 1/2020)