Initial Request for Services
The Office of Disability Services assists prospective students who may need assistance with the TSI or with orientation prior to being admitted to UNT Dallas. Once a student has been admitted, they should request services.
Students requesting accommodations for a disability are encouraged to meet with the Office of Disability Services staff member to determine if the services provided through this office are right for you. Before you can be determined eligible for official services, it is essential to request services using the following link: UNT Dallas Accommodate . You will need to upload current medical and/or psychological information to demonstrate how your disability impacts your ability to participate in programs at UNT Dallas.
Request Services through the Correct Office
Since UNT, UNT Dallas, and UNT Health Science Center are separate campuses and have their own disability support staff, you must apply for services at each campus where you are unrolled. The UNT Dallas Disability Services Office does not make recommendations for classes held at UNT or UNT Health Science Center. If you need to services for classes held at UNT or UNT Health Science Center, you must go to their website: UNT Office of Disability Access or UNTHSC Office of Disability Access .
How to File Your First Request for Services
If you are a new student or this is the first time that you will be requesting accommodations, please submit your request for services and upload your disability documentation using this link: Initial Request for Services through Disability Services Office .
The process could take up to two weeks to complete once the request has been received, If your documentation does not meet all requirements listed on the documentation page, there may be further delays.
If your documentation was determined to be sufficient and you are determined eligible for services through ODS, accommodation letters will be forwarded to the student and to their faculty members. The faculty members and student will acknowledge their receipt of the accommodation form and this information will be stored in Accommodate. Accommodations are NOT retroactive and cannot be applied to any previous tests, quizzes, assignments, absences or coursework.
You only need to submit documentation with the initial request unless there are additional disabilities or new limitations as a result of the reported disability.
Guidelines:
Students requesting a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) must provide the following information to Office of Disability Services (ODS) from his or her physician, educational diagnostician, licensed psychologist, psychiatrist, or other qualified professional. Documentation received will be considered in determining whether a student is disabled as defined by the ADA, and therefore entitled to reasonable accommodation.
To simplify the process the following forms may be used for some types of disabilities or a formal letter may be created as long as it contains all of the elements listed below:
Physical/.Medical Disability Documentation
Psychological/Mental Health Documentation
Note: Learning Disabilities (dyslexia, writing disorders, math disorders etc.) may not be completed using a form or letter. Psychological testing will be required, and students needing services for learning disabilities should make an appointment with DSO staff prior to seeking documentation.
The information provided should include:
* Statement as to if whether each physical or mental impairment is permanent or temporary; if temporary, the expected duration of the impairment.
* Information as to how each physical or mental impairment directly and currently affects the individual with regard to physical, emotional, cognitive or other limitations, to what level of severity the physical or mental impairment impacts the individual's major life activities (for an example, walking, hearing, seeing, learning, communicating, breathing, and so forth).
* What impact does the physical or mental impairment have in the context of the classroom/learning environment?
* How are the impairments mitigated, corrected, or managed by assistive devices (such as hearing aid, walker) medications, treatments or other coping mechanisms?
* Specific recommendations as to what reasonable accommodations (such as note taker, extended testing time, sign language interpreter, etc.) are necessary for equal access in the academic environment.
* If student is taking medication for treatment of conditions, note any possible or existing side effects and how these can affect the client in daily functioning and within the classroom environment.Specific, detailed diagnosis for each physical or mental impairment, substantiated by DSM-IV (for psychological) or ICD-10 (for medical) designation.
Only upon receipt of documentation will the student be considered for reasonable accommodation. Documentation will be viewed in both a historical and current context, but providing documentation does not automatically qualify students for services through ODS. For example, some educational diagnostic reports (such as Admission Review Dismissal, or A.R.D., reports and 504 Plans) and medical reports (physician's release to return to work) are not considered independently sufficient in determining reasonable accommodation, but will be considered with other supporting documents.
Documentation should be submitted on office letterhead with the signature and credentials of qualified professional. Once ODS receives the documentation, it becomes part of the student's educational record and is protected under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act. Any questions from the physician/diagnostician may be directed to ODS staff at UNTDdisability@untdallas.edu.
Very Important Things To Remember About Your Reasonable Accommodations at UNTD
- You must request your official accommodation letters from the Office of Disability Services as soon as you register or preferably before the first week of every semester. It is understood that disabilities may occur at any time and therefore, requests may be submitted throughout the semester.
- TIME....Request your letters early, schedule your tests at least 5 business days in advance and 3 weeks for finals and midterms. Submit requests for alternative formats as soon as you register for classes.
- It is your responsibility to let us know if something is not working. We can't help if we don't know.
- Use the resources we have referred you to on campus. They work!
- If you have any questions, or if you feel that your reasonable accommodations are not effective, let us know; call, email, make an appointment. Again, we can't help if we don't know!.
- Please help us keep our campus as accessible as possible. If you any access barriers, please contact us at UNTDdisability@untdallas.edu.
Request a Reasonable Accommodation (For Returning ODS Students Only)
If you are a returning student, please go to the following page:Registered (returning) Students
UNT Disability Assistance Request for Orientation
To request assistance (e.g. Sign Language Interpreter, FM loop personal audio amplifier, screen magnification software) for Parent Orientation, New Student Orientation, Transfer Orientation or Graduate Student Orientation, please notify the Office of Disability Services by email at UNTDdisability@untdallas.edu at least two weeks in advance. UNTD does not provide personal care items such as wheelchairs/scooters, orientation and mobility services, or personal attendant care.
Services Provided by Disability Services Office:
- The Office of Disability Services obtains and maintains student disability documentation that has been provided by students as part of the request for academic accommodations.
- Provides student’s information (student name, id#, class name, location, instructor, date and time of class) to contracted providers (CART, interpreters, note taker, etc.) to assist in provision of academic accommodations;
- Assists students with class access concerns;
- Provides reader/scribe and special equipment access for academic test situations;
- Provides liaison between students and agencies or department interpreters, tutors and other auxiliary aids;
- Coordinates equipment access for in-class use;
- Acts as consultant in on-campus situations which constitute an accommodation challenge;
- Works with individual students and professors or academic advisors regarding accommodation needs.
Student Responsibilities
- Completion of a Student Request for Accommodation includes the following student responsibilities:
- Insofar as possible, to act as independent, self-directing, responsible adults with regard to meeting applicable UNTD standards of behavior and academic performance;
- Initiate open communication with the Disability Services Office staff regarding academic accommodation needs or problems which may arise;
- Update documentation periodically, as the nature of severity of the disability changes, so that it accurately addresses current accommodation requirements.
Questions, Please email UNTDdisability@untdallas.edu or call 972-338-1777. Thank you!