Disability Services
Students with a disability, defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act as “anyone with a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more of the major life activities such as walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, working, or learning,” are eligible for reasonable accommodations such that they receive equal access to the University’s programs and services. Because each student requires a unique approach to achieve equal access, accommodations may include, but are not limited to, reduced course loads, alternative forms of testing, extended test time, note taker assistance, enlarged print materials, and/or sign language interpreters.
A student with a disability who wishes accommodations must request such services by submitting a request to the UMW Office of Disability Services. The director of disability services verifies the disability, advises and assists in arranging reasonable accommodations, and acts as a liaison between students and faculty/administration on issues relating to services or accommodations. Students approved for accommodations receive an accommodation letter from the Office of Disability Services listing the accommodations for which the student is eligible. The student is required to meet with his/her instructor after class or during the instructor’s office hours to deliver the letter and to discuss his/her accommodation needs. Faculty with questions regarding a student’s accommodations are asked to discuss them with the student and/or a representative from the Office of Disability Services. However, faculty should not ask a student about a disability unless or until the student self-discloses his/her disability to them.
Additional questions may be directed to the Office of Disabilities at (540) 654-1266.