College Accommodations
- High School vs College Accommodations Chart
- When Faculty are Too Accommodating (Jane Jarrow)
- Student vs Faculty vs College Responsibilities concerning Accommodations
Website Links
- Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, As Amended
- ADA Requirements: Service Animals
- Frequently Asked Questions about Service Animals and the ADA
Parent Advocacy
In high school, students with disabilities often received services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Schools were responsible for identifying students with disabilities and implementing support through IEPs or 504 Plans.
In college, the IDEA no longer applies. Instead, institutions like USAO follow Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Subsection E), and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). These laws prohibit discrimination based on disability, but they place the responsibility on the student to seek out services. This means:
- Students must self-identify as having a disability.
- Students must initiate contact with the Office for Accessible Education (OAE) to request accommodations.
- Students must provide relevant supporting documentation from a qualified provider to support their request.
We recognize that this shift in responsibility can be a big adjustment. While your student is now in charge of managing their accommodation needs, your support and advocacy behind the scenes remain incredibly valuable. Encouraging your student to connect with us early, helping gather documentation, or simply reminding them that self-advocacy is a sign of maturity and strength can make all the difference.
Accommodation Services
Academic Accomodations
(For the classroom)
Housing Accomodations
(For university housing)
ESA Policy
(For ESAs and service animals)
Registration and Appointments
How to Register
Schedule an Appointment
Policies, Resources, and Appeals
Forms and Policies
Additional Resources
(For students, parents, faculty, and staff)
Grievance/Appeals Process
(For students, faculty, and staff)
Additional Resources
- Counseling Services
- HIPAA Policy
- FERPA Policy
- Web Accessibility
- All Voices
- Resources and Offices