Workplace Accommodations
At UMD, both undergraduate and graduate students explore diverse work opportunities. Work experiences are an important part of your educational and personal journey, allowing you to apply your skills and knowledge in real-world settings.
Workplace accommodations are adjustments or modifications that can be made to your work environment, tasks, or procedures. These accommodations are individualized and tailored specifically to you based on the impact of your disability and the unique requirements of your position.
Workplace accommodations can apply to different areas, such as:
- Assistantships (teaching, research, graduate)
- Internships
- Clinical rotations
- Student teaching
- Fieldwork
- On-campus hourly positions
Requesting Workplace Accommodations for the First Time
If you're a student with a disability seeking workplace accommodations, we encourage you to register with ADS and connect with us. Check out our How to Register page or review the steps below to get started.
Note: If you need workplace accommodations and are already registered with ADS, contact your disability specialist directly to initiate the process.
1. Complete the ADS Registration Application
This application provides you the opportunity to disclose your disability to ADS and confirms your intent to establish formal accommodations. You can access the registration application through our ADS Portal using your UMD directory ID and password.
2. Meet with a Disability Specialist
Schedule a registration meeting to discuss your accessibility needs and to determine effective accommodations for your workplace. Your disability specialist will review your job requirements and meet with your supervisor or program coordinator to discuss requested accommodations and job duties.
3. Implementing Accommodations
Disability specialists will provide an Accommodation Letter outlining approved accommodations. This letter is shared with you and your supervisor. If needed, disability specialists may collaborate with other campus units, like Facilities Management or IT, to ensure successful accommodations while protecting your privacy.
Timeline
Once the student contacts ADS to schedule an appointment, and submits all necessary supporting Disability documentation, ADS will work in good faith to determine and meet a Qualified Student’s reasonable employment accommodation needs within ten (10) business days. Students should be aware, however, that decisions on employment related accommodations often take longer than ten business days and may take up to 30 business days, even though ADS will use good faith efforts to make employment accommodation decisions within ten business days.
Confidentiality
Information about your disability and accommodations is kept confidential and separate from your personnel/student record. However, in some cases, sharing information regarding your disability with relevant individuals – supervisors, human resources staff, first aid personnel, etc. – is allowed by law to ensure proper accommodation.