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Accessibility & Disability Service | Division of Student Affairs
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Getting Started
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ADS Portal
Registration Application Accommodated Housing Form Registered Student Portal Instructor/TA Portal ADS Staff Portal
About Us
Meet Our Staff Disability Specialists ADS Advisory Boards Confidentiality Directions & Parking Contact Us
Understanding Accommodations Consultations How to Register Documentation Guidance Undergraduate Students Graduate Students Transitioning to UMD Visiting Students
Sharing Letters Accommodated Testing Accommodated Note Taking Assistive Technology Unit Alternative Text Communication Access Services Housing Accommodations Experienced-Based Learning Accommodations Temporary Accommodations Note Takers
Working With ADS Shared Responsibility How to Implement Academic Accommodations Outreach Requests
Student Resources Instructor & Staff Resources UMD Policies ADS Appeals Process Emergency Preparedness Title IX Resources Service & Support Animals
Registration Application Accommodated Housing Form Registered Student Portal Instructor/TA Portal ADS Staff Portal
Meet Our Staff Disability Specialists ADS Advisory Boards Confidentiality Directions & Parking Contact Us

Assistive Technology Unit

Home Assistive Technology Unit

The Assistive Technology Unit coordinates and supports the implementation of the following types of accommodations: assistive technology, alternative text and note taking. To access these accommodations, students must first register with Accessibility and Disability Service (ADS) and secure approval. Following this, their Disability Specialist will refer them to the Assistive Technology Unit for the next steps. 

Assistive Technology

ADS staff can provide resources and training for students with disabilities based on their approved accommodations. We provide guidance on using and operating a variety of assistive technology software and devices, including:

person interacting with braille keyboard

Assistive technology accommodations may include:

  • CCTV Document Magnification
  • Computer Screen Magnification 
  • Computer Screen Reading 
  • Scan and Read Technology 
  • Tactile Graphics Production 
  • Text to Braille Conversion

Alternative Text

ADS staff convert course materials into accessible formats to meet the specific needs of students with approved alternative text accommodations. 

To facilitate a seamless process, students must actively engage in securing alternative text accommodations by:

  • Notifying the AT unit of required materials every semester
  • Confirming enrollment in the relevant course 
  • Submitting requests for materials well in advance  
  • Providing proof of purchase for all course materials that need conversion*

*Although ADS covers the cost of converting materials, processing cannot begin until we receive a receipt or other proof of purchase.

Timeline of Alternative Textbooks

Please allow 3 weeks to receive the alternative format of your course materials. The AT Unit will make every effort to provide alternative text accommodations in a timely manner. Please note that during peak times, requests may take additional time to complete. To avoid delays, students are strongly advised to submit their requests as early as possible to ensure ample time for processing.
 

Accommodated Note Taking

Academic note taking accommodations are designed to provide supplemental information to offset gaps and missing information within the notes taken by a student with a disability. These accommodations are intended to complement, not replace, class attendance and do not diminish the student's academic responsibilities.

For more detailed information on how note taking accommodations work and how to access them, please visit our dedicated Accommodated Note Taking page. 


Get in Touch

Accessibility & Disability Service | Division of Student Affairs
0106 Shoemaker Building, College Park, MD 20742
adsfrontdesk@umd.edu 301-314-7682