FAQ

The responsibilities toward students with disabilities in Higher Education institutions are very different from those of high schools. High schools are required under IDEA to identify the educational needs of students with a disability and provide a free and appropriate education.  Higher Education institutions are required to provide appropriate academic accommodations to ensure that a student with a disability is not discriminated against. The student is responsible for disclosing his or her disability to the institutions disability office.

A student with a disability is responsible for requesting accommodations through the Student Access & Resource Center (SAR Center). The SAR Center will not seek students out. A student with a disability is also responsible for providing supporting documentation of his or her disability when necessary to identify eligible accommodations.

Students can request services here.

All requests for accommodations must come directly from the student.

As a young adult, the student may choose to have information about his or her case discussed with his or her parent(s) by signing an authorization for the release of information which can be obtained through the SAR Center.

A student with a disability does not have to disclose his or her disability to UTA. Disclosure of a disability is on a voluntary basis. However, a student will not receive accommodations unless he or she discloses this information to the SAR Center.

There is no charge for receiving accommodations from the SAR Center.

Log in here.

You will use your MyMav netid and password.

To request a copy of all or part of your records from the Student Access & Resource Center (SAR Center) under “The Freedom of Information Open Records Act” you may send your written request to the University’s “Custodian of Records.”

Learn more about records request

University of Arlington views class attendance as an individual student responsibility. Students are expected to attend class and to complete all assignments. Instructors are expected to provide notice of the dates on which major exams will be given and assignments will be due on the course syllabus. However, some students with disabilities may be approved for an accommodation of flexible attendance and/or makeup of assignments/exams/quizzes due to a disability-related need which may require the development of a Flexible Attendance Agreement for a student in a specific course. Generally, these students have disabilities which are chronic or episodic in nature which may cause difficulties with regular class attendance and completing work.  This might include, but is not limited to, students with diabetes, epilepsy, cancer, mental health disabilities, migraines and conditions requiring on-going or specialized medical treatment.

Learn more about the flexible attendance accommodation

The Student Access & Resource Center (SAR Center) strives to treat all personal information with the strictest confidentiality. We respect the privacy of individuals and will err in favor of confidentiality whenever possible. It is the policy of the office to hold confidential all communications, observations, and information made by and/or between students, faculty, and staff whenever possible.

Learn more about the policy

The first thing you should do is speak to your professor or instructor during office hours. Depending on the adjustment needed, the professor may be able to arrange adjustments for you without involving the Office of the Dean of Students or SAR Center. Not all professors are familiar with Title IX or ADA regulations, so if your professor tells you that you need to request assistance from the Office of the Dean of Students or the SAR Center, don’t worry.

Students experiencing normal pregnancies typically need “reasonable adjustments” and would go to the Office of the Dean of Students for assistance. Pregnant students experiencing medical complications with their pregnancy generally have doctors’ notes and should go to the SAR Center to discuss accommodation options. If you need assistance with something that a doctor has not put into writing, you likely need a “reasonable adjustment”, which would be handled through the Office of the Dean of Students.

If you are still unsure about which office can help you, you may contact either office and discuss your situation. They will be able to tell you whether you are in the right place or need to start in the other office.

Accommodation(s) received through the SAR Center will vary from student to student depending on the particular complication of their pregnancy. Some common accommodations may include an alternate space to take exams, supportive furniture for a classroom/lab, or assistive technology.

Reasonable adjustments may include things like providing a larger desk, excused late arrival and absences due to doctor appointments, allowing frequent trips to the restroom, early access to course materials, or sipping water or eating food during tests, if necessary, due to your pregnancy. It could also include taking exams or turning in assignments early or late due to pregnancy needs or after delivery. Further, students may need to take some time away immediately following delivery to provide appropriate time for physical recovery. Please keep in mind that because every pregnancy is unique, and every pregnant student has unique needs, this is not an exhaustive list.

For more information on reasonable adjustments, please visit UTA’s Student Pregnancy and Parenting Nondiscrimination Policy.

 

For concerns related to implementation of an adjustment or if you believe you have been discriminated against based on the information in the Nondiscrimination Policy noted above, please connect with the Office of Title IX and Discrimination Complaints.