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UW Colleges Student Services

Student Accessibility Services

Student Accessibility Services Links

UW Colleges Student Accessibility Services

What does the UW Colleges Student Accessibility Services Office offer?

The Student Accessibility Services Office coordinates services for students with disabilities attending the University of Wisconsin Colleges. The Student Accessibility Services Office works with campus staff and faculty to ensure that students with disabilities who have program access needs receive appropriate accommodations.

Who is eligible for Student Accessibility Services?

Students who have physical or mental impairments which substantially limit one or more life activities (e.g. communication, mobility, learning, etc.), and have a record of such an impairment, or are regarded as having such an impairment.

Who determines which students are eligible for Student Accessibility Services?

The Director of Student Accessibility Services in Madison and the Campus Contact for Student Accessibility Services work together to determine which students are eligible for accommodation services.

Students are responsible for providing documentation of their disability. This documentation must identify the disability for which each accommodation is requested, and substantiate that the need for accommodation is related to the disability. In general, documentation should not be more than three years old.

What kinds of accommodation services are available?

  • Adaptive Software
  • Note-taking assistance
  • Tape recorded lecture
  • Extended time for exams and quizzes
  • Separate testing room
  • Reader
  • Scribe
  • Audio text books
  • Priority registration
  • Preferential seating
  • Accessible classrooms/location/furniture
  • Library assistance
  • Laboratory assistance
  • Advocacy and liason with faculty
  • Others

Procedures for Applying for Student Accessibility Services

  1. Obtain a packet of information and an application for services from the Student Services office.
  2. Apply for services at least 4-6 weeks in advance of the semester in order to be sure that services will be in place at the start of the semester.
  3. Submit the completed application along with supporting documentation, prepared by an appropriate professional, to the Campus Contact for Student Accessibility Services located in the Student Services office. In general, documentation should not be more than three years old.
  4. The Campus Contact for Student Accessibility Services will submit the documentation and application to the Director of Student Accessibility Services in Madison, who will make the eligibility determination for support services. You will be contacted if there is a need for additional information in order to complete the application process. Upon being determined eligible for services, an Individualized Accommodation Plan is written indicating which services are recommended. You will be notified in writing once this process has been completed.
  5. Prior to the start of the semester, arrange a meeting with the Campus Contact for Student Accessibility Services in order to discuss implementation of your approved Individualized Accommodation Plan.

Student Accessibility Services Initial Application Information and Forms

Students Accessibility Flyer
Students Accessibility Request Form
Authorization for Release of Confidential Information - Form 1
Authorization for Release of Confidential Information - Form 2
ADHD and Psychological Disability Documentation Guidlines
Initial Letter
Documentation Guidelines
How To Arrange Accommodation Services - Student Checklist
Academic Support Services Handbook For Students With Approved Accommodation Plans

Student Responsibilities

The UW Colleges wishes to promote an atmosphere of independence for all students, including those students with disabilities. We want to encourage students with disabilities to become advocates for themselves. To further that mission, here are some guidelines for student responsibility:

  • Adhere to all policies regarding academic conduct, which apply equally to all students, regardless of disability.
  • Meet and maintain academic standards which have been established by the University and applicable departments (with appropriate accommodations where needed).
  • Provide current disability documentation to the Campus Contact for Student Accessibility Services (additionally, see your Student Services Office) or to the Director of Student Accessibility Services (in Madison) when requesting accommodations. This information will be kept confidential and will only be released to those who need such information and only with the written consent of the student.
  • Follow all directions and adhere to all timelines when requesting accommodations. Failure to alert appropriate staff in a timely manner may result in significant obstacles to the provision of necessary accommodations for students.
  • Become aware of your rights as a student and learn to advocate for yourself.

Laws Applicable to Students with Disabilities

UW Colleges complies with both the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, specifically Section 508, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. No recipients of federal funding may discriminate against a qualified individual with a disability solely by reason of that disability. This means that students with disabilities have equal access to all UW Colleges' programs, services and activities.

Campus Contacts for Student Accessibility Services

TTY number for all campuses: 608-265-5766

Baraboo/Sauk County
, 608-355-5255
Barron County
, 715-234-8176
Fond du Lac
, 920-929-1122
Fox Valley
, 920-832-2661
Manitowoc
, 920-683-4708
Marathon County
, 715-261-6235
Marinette
, 715-735-4302
Marshfield/Wood County
, 715-384-1706
Richland
, 608-647-8422
Rock County
, 608-758-6565 ext. 210
Sheboygan
, 920-459-6682
Washington County
, 262-335-5210
Waukesha
, 262-521-5210 (TTY: 262-521-5510)
UW Colleges Online
, 877-449-1877 (Toll Free)

Director of Student Accessibility Services


Student Accessibility Services Office
UW Colleges
780 Regent St., Suite 130
Madison, WI 53715-2635
Voice: 608/262-2001
Toll Free: 1-888-463-6892
TTY: 608-265-5766
Fax: 608-265-6784

The Director of Accessibility Services works with the Campus Contacts to coordinate student accessibility services. The Director reviews the disability related documentation submitted by the student in order to determine the student's eligibility for accommodations, and writes the accommodation plan with input from the student and campus contact.


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