Disability Services is here first and foremost to help the students. We will provide reasonable accommodations to students who can provide the required documentation of their disability.

Student Responsibilities

• Students have a responsibility to meet University technical, academic and institutional standards.
• Students have a responsibility to identify themselves to the Office of Disability Services in a timely manner (within three weeks of the beginning of the semester) when seeking accommodations.
• Students may identify themselves at any time during the semester, but Disability Services may not be able to arrange accommodations for students seeking assistance later in the semester.

Suggestions to New Students

• Understand your disability.
• Express your needs clearly
• Become familiar with available technology, such as word prediction programs and screen readers.
• Become comfortable with e-books.
• Make requests for accommodations in advance of the semester.
• Identify and use campus wide resources such as tutoring programs, study groups, counseling services and stress management skills.
• Participate in campus activities and events.
• Have reasonable expectations for the number of credits you can successfully complete in a semester.
• Practice good health habits

How to Request Accommodations

• Students must be registered for at least one credit prior to contacting Disability Services for accommodations.
• Students self-identify by making an appointment with the Director of Disability Services and provides current (within the last three years), comprehensive documentation to support requests to Disability Services prior to the start of the semester.
• The Director of Disability Services will review the documentation and determine the appropriate accommodations based upon the information provided.
• The Director of Disability Services will provide the student with a formal letter of accommodation to share with each faculty member from whom they need and accommodation.
• The Student will discuss accommodations and their disability with faculty as needed, and provide them with the letter of accommodation from Disability Services.
• The student will contact Disability Services if any further assistance is needed.
• The student must meet with the Director at the beginning of each semester or summer session to update their accommodations and get a current accommodation letter.
• Documentation will remain on file at the Disability Services office for a period of five years to support accommodations.

Documentation Requirements

A detailed handout specifying appropriate documentation for learning disabilities is available from the Office of Disability Services, for more information call the Director at 907-474-5655.

Physical Disabilities

A Medical report from a qualified medical professional stating cause and extent of injury or disease and functional limitations resulting from the disability is required.

Blind/Visual Impairment

A medical report from a qualified medical professional stating restricted vision fields is required.

Deaf/Hard of Hearing

An audiological evaluation from a qualified professional indicating significant hearing loss is require.

Psychological/Mental Impairment

A report from a qualified metal health professional stating mental illness diagnosis and functional limitations resulting from impairment is required.

Learning Disabilities

In order to request and receive accommodations in the classroom because of a learning disability, the student must have documentation confirming a diagnosis of a learning disability. A learning disability is defined generally as a substantial difference between learning potential and academic achievement. Documentation must include testing scored and appropriate interpretation from a school psychologist, clinical psychologist or other professional who is qualified to diagnose a learning disability.

Complaint Procedure

A student who feels he or she has a complaint regarding accommodations, eligibility, or services through the Office of Disability Services should first speak to the Director of Disability Services.

Attendance Requirements

The University of Alaska Fairbanks establishes attendance policies as follows

The instructor will determine the policies regarding make-up work and missed quizzes or exams. Instructors are not required to lower or substantially modify essential course elements to provide and accommodation.

Core Requirement Substitution

Deviations from academic requirements and regulations for undergraduate students at the University of Alaska Fairbanks must be approved by academic petition. If petition is Submitted on the basis of a disability, the Director of Disability Services will be consulted. Petition forms are available from the Office of the Registrar. Once the required signatures have been obtained, all petitions must be submitted to the Registrar's Office.

Core Curriculum Petitions

If a petition deals with Baccalaureate Core requirements, the advisor and the head of t he department of the academic area involved must approve it. After the completed petition is turned in to the Registrar's Office, it will be forwarded to the chair of the Core Review Committee for final approval.

Major or Minor Degree Requirement Petitions

If waving or substituting courses in a major or minor, signatures of the academic advisor and the department or program head of the major or minor area are required before turning in the completed petition at the Registrar's Office.

Petition for Other Requirements

If a petition deals with general university and/or specific requirements for a degree or other academic policies, approval must be obtained from the academic advisor and the dean or director of the college or school in which the major is located.