CSD provides students with academic, residential, and campus access accommodations, is home to the CSDTech Team and assistive technology, and the Beyond Access and UConnGPS programs. For more information, see our Programs page.

Yes! CSD regularly hosts a social group for students.  The dates and times can vary from semester to semester, so please check with your Disability Service Professional (DSP) after you’ve registered.

Campus tours are organized by UConn Admissions (https://uconn.edu/admissions/visit-campus/).

Once students register with CSD and are assigned to work with one of our DSPs, they may schedule an appointment to meet with their assigned DSP.  CSD begins meeting with incoming students after the end of the spring semester.

Maybe. Although you are not required to disclose your disability information to your advisor, it may be helpful to let your advisor know you are working with CSD. Telling your advisor about your accommodations and needs may assist with specific course recommendations or help you develop a schedule that best meets your needs each semester. For example, tell your advisor if you need breaks between your classes to eat or rest to avoid scheduling classes that are back-to-back.  Telling your advisor how you learn best (e.g., visual learner, auditory learner) may help him/her make specific course or faculty recommendations and provide you with information about other resources on campus (e.g., Writing Center, Q Center, Academic Achievement Center, CSD Beyond Access Program) that may be helpful.

Under the ADA, the “interactive process” is a collaborative discussion between the student, the instructor/faculty, and the CSD to determine if a student has a qualifying disability to receive reasonable academic accommodations. For more information on each party’s rights and responsibilities, see Our Page. The discussions include how those accommodations will be implemented for the students related to their studies and in the classroom. For more information on the process, see our Accommodation Requests page.

CSD has created Disability-Specific Guidelines; see Our Page for more information.

If at any point, you have questions or concerns about an accommodation, you may contact your DSP to collaboratively address the concerns and work to resolve them.

No. UConn may not charge students for their legally mandated accommodations.  Some accommodations that are deemed to be of a personal nature, such as hiring and paying a personal assistant, are the student’s responsibility.  CSD also offers some fee-based programs, such as Beyond Access and UConnGPS.

We work with you to determine the most suitable accommodations for your needs.

To name a few:

• Alternate media for printed materials
• Technology-based Notetaking Assistance
• Exam Accommodations
• Participation Modification
• Reduced Courseload
• Communication Access (ASL Interpreting, CART, Captioned Materials)
• Housing and Dining Accommodations
• Parking and Transportation Accommodations

For more information, see our Accommodations page.

• Technology-based assistance – use of a personal laptop/tablet, Livescribe Echo Smart Pen, Microsoft OneNote, Glean, Otter.ai, and others;
• Permission to record classes (many of the technology-based options have a recording component as a built-in feature);
• Receipt of instructor outlines and/or notes; and
• Receipt of notes from a peer notetaker.

Federal law requires colleges and universities to consider reasonable modifications if needed to accommodate a student’s disability that affects the timely completion of an assignment or their participation. These modifications are intended for students who are unable to complete their work or are absent from class due to unexpected symptoms related to their documented disability.

The disabilities covered under this academic adjustment are typically chronic or episodic in nature and may affect a student’s class participation as well as their ability to complete assignments, exams, and quizzes.

If attendance/participation can be justified as an integral part of how a course is taught and/or how learning is to be demonstrated and measured, there is a point at which disability-related absences cannot be reasonably accommodated.  It is not reasonable to expect instructors to:

Re-teach – It is reasonable to go over some of the missed materials with students during office hours or by appointment. However, instructors are not expected to re-teach the course to absent students.

Remodel - Instructors are not expected to reconstruct courses entirely for absent students. For example, a course that is lecture-style does not need to be reconstructed as an independent study or online course.

Adjust Course Rigor - Instructors should not alter the essential elements or the learning outcomes of the course for absent students.

A withdrawal from the course or an incomplete may be considered if the student is unable to meet the standards/objectives of the course due to the rate of absences.

The CSD uses guidance set out by the Association on Higher Education and Disability (AHEAD) when considering evidence for determining a student’s disability and providing accommodations. For more information, see our Evidence of Disability page.

If your disability affects your ability to travel across campus quickly, please let your advisor know so that you can schedule an adequate amount of time between classes to travel. Scheduling classes back-to-back may not leave enough time for you to arrive at each class on time. Talk to your DSP at CSD regarding transportation resources, including the Accessible Van Service.

Yes, please visit our website for information about the Accessible Van Service: https://csd.uconn.edu/referral-for-accessible-van-services/

Yes, please visit the Campus Access page for detailed information for each of UConn’s campuses.

Yes, CSD may be able to approve parking accommodations. Please visit our Parking Accommodations page.

You should discuss your exam accommodation arrangements with your instructors in advance. Whenever possible, you should take your exams with your class or instructors.  If you and your instructor determine you need to take your exams at CSD, you must submit your exam scheduling requests through your MyAccess account at least 7 days in advance of the class exam date. Late requests are not guaranteed.

Yes, if you have back-to-back classes and you’re concerned you may miss the following class due to an exam in the first class, CSD will work with you and your instructor to schedule the exam at an alternate time.

Begin by discussing this situation directly with your instructor. One option would be to arrange to take the quiz either with your instructor or at CSD, before the class start time.  Another option would be to get approval from your instructor to take the quiz at an alternate time.

Your instructor can adjust the Husky CT settings for you to receive extended time on online exams. It is important to communicate directly with your instructor well in advance of the exam to be sure they are aware of your extended time accommodation.

No.   You should coordinate accommodations for remote, online exams (i.e., extended time settings) directly with your instructor.

Yes, students are responsible for bringing their own laptop/tablet for online exams taken at CSD.

Do not cancel your scheduled exam. Simply reach out to csdexams@uconn.edu or your regional campus email address and let us know. We will adjust the date/time for you.

To request additional exam accommodations, please contact your DSP.

Instructors are responsible for working with the student and CSD to ensure the approved accommodation(s) are coordinated.  If, after several attempts to contact the instructor, they do not respond to CSD, the Center will contact the department chair and/or the Office of Institutional Equity for assistance in coordinating approved accommodations for the student.

No. It is University policy that only CSD will receive and review disability-related documentation. CSD considers any necessary medical documentation in connection with approving accommodations. Students are not required to present their instructors with medical documentation verifying their disability. Additionally, disability information is stored securely and separately from other University records.

Yes. All students who live in Husky Village are required to have a meal plan per the Residential Life (ResLife) Housing contract.

No.  Students living in non-apartment spaces (including Husky Village) must purchase a meal plan according to the Housing Contract: http://reslife.uconn.edu/housing-contract-forms/.

Yes.  Dining Services provides many gluten-free options.  Visit https://dining.uconn.edu/dietary-restrictions-preferences/ for additional information.

At your meeting, you should share any information related to your dietary needs to assist Dining with determining an appropriate modification, so you have a positive dining experience.  Here are some of the questions you will be asked during your meeting:

• What are your food allergies/dietary needs?
• What do you typically eat for breakfast, lunch, and dinner?
• What are your food likes and dislikes?
• Are you a vegan or vegetarian?
• How long have you lived with your specific diagnosis, or how long have you followed a specific diet?
• What are the biggest challenges with your diet?

After you meet with Dining Services, they will offer suggestions on how they can accommodate your specific diet, give you a tour of the dining facility, and introduce you to the culinary team who will assist with your modification.

Contact your DSP as soon as possible to discuss further options.

Yes.  You can eat in any dining hall, but you will need to follow the process and modifications you set up during your meeting with Dining Services.

Visit UConn Student Health and Wellness: Nutrition - https://studenthealth.uconn.edu/nutrition/ and https://dining.uconn.edu/dietary-restrictions-preferences/ for additional information.

Contact your DSP and your EGL advisor to discuss your accommodation needs while in the travel abroad program.

It means you have applied for housing by the designated deadline and your application has been accepted by Residential Life (ResLife).

Yes.  All students must apply for housing.  For updates, visit: Home: Residential Life.

No.  ResLife will notify you about the housing selection process in which you will participate.  If you are approved for an accommodation after the housing accommodation deadline (see below), you may need to participate in the General Housing Selection Process.  ResLife will contact you after selection regarding your approved accommodation.

This deadline is usually in early March, giving ResLife ample time to determine your housing selection process.  If you are approved for an accommodation after the deadline, ResLife will work with you after General Housing Selection.

CSD works with ResLife to provide housing accommodations for students, but cannot guarantee that a room meeting all of a student’s approved accommodations will be available.

CSD and ResLife will notify you through your UConn email.

ResLife needs time to assess available spaces on campus, and we appreciate your patience as they work through this process.  The best time frame we can give is sometime over the summer.

No.  All students must be eligible for housing by completing the housing application before the deadline, regardless of approved accommodations.  You can still submit the housing application to be placed on the waitlist.  Note: ResLife may determine an end date to accept late housing applications.

No. Kitchens for meal preparation are only available in apartments.  While the buildings in Husky Village, Garrigus Suites, and Busby Suites have communal kitchens, residents are still required to purchase a residential meal plan.

Maybe.  It will depend on the current room availability and your approved accommodations.  ResLife will attempt to honor these requests, but cannot guarantee them.

No. However, you are welcome to bring your own air purifier and dehumidifier.

No.  Only Emotional Support Animals (ESA) and Service Animals are permitted in the residence halls.  To learn more about ESAs, visit: Emotional Support Animals | Center for Students with Disabilities (uconn.edu).  For the Animals on Campus policy, visit: Academic and Student Life | University Policies (uconn.edu)

CSD will follow guidance provided by UConn when there is a delayed start or closure because of inclement weather.  Please email csdexams@uconn.edu if you have an assessment scheduled during the delay or closing so we can assist with rescheduling. Do not cancel your scheduled exam. We will reschedule your request based on the updated information your instructor provides. Be assured, we will work with you as you navigate this unexpected situation. *Regional campus students, please email your campus CSD email address.

CSD can assist with the academic advising process to suggest appropriate classroom accommodations. Meeting with your DSP allows you to discuss the impact of your disability on your course schedule each semester. Your DSP can also contact your advisor to inform them about your approved accommodations and how they may impact your class schedule. Please note, however, that any recommendations from your DSP do not replace the need to meet with your academic advisor.